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Lessons from a Hot, Dry Summer: What I'm Changing in My Garden

2026-10-21

This summer has made me think differently about how I grow plants at Wild but Rooted. High temperatures and prolonged dry spells have been challenging, but they've also given me an opportunity to observe which growing methods work well and which plants are going to be more difficult to maintain as summers become hotter and less predictable.

I don't want gardening to become a constant battle against the weather. I'd rather create growing conditions that help plants thrive naturally, choose plants suited to those conditions, and spend less time trying to rescue plants that are struggling.

Two things in particular have influenced my thinking this year: the difference that old woodchip mulch made to plant health, and my decision not to continue growing hydrangeas and peonies.

Here are the lessons I'm taking into future growing seasons, along with some practical approaches and plants worth considering if you're planning a more drought-resilient UK garden.

1. Old woodchip mulch made a noticeable difference

One of the clearest things I've noticed this summer is that areas heavily mulched with old woodchip had much healthier plants than areas without the same level of cover.

It's a simple observation, but one that has made me think more seriously about how we protect the soil.

A layer of woodchip shields the soil surface from direct sunlight, helping to reduce evaporation and moderate soil temperatures. This can be particularly valuable during a heatwave, when exposed soil can dry out rapidly.

As woodchip gradually decomposes, it also contributes organic matter to the soil. The benefits develop over time, rather than appearing overnight.

My observation doesn't prove that mulch alone was responsible for the difference, as other factors can influence plant health. However, the contrast was clear enough to convince me that protecting the soil deserves more attention in my future growing plans.

I intend to make greater use of old woodchip where appropriate, rather than leaving soil exposed unnecessarily.

For gardeners wanting to try this approach, a layer of mulch around established perennials and shrubs can be a useful starting point. Leave a little space around stems and plant crowns, and remember that plants requiring exceptionally free-draining conditions may need a different approach.

The important lesson is that drought resilience isn't just about choosing plants that tolerate dry weather. It's also about creating growing conditions that help them cope.

2. I'm rethinking which plants are worth growing

Another decision I've made after this summer is that I'm not going to continue growing hydrangeas and peonies.

Both are beautiful garden plants, and I'm not suggesting that nobody should grow them. But I've become more conscious of the time, water and attention required to keep particular plants happy.

Many hydrangeas prefer consistently moist soil and can wilt dramatically when the soil dries out. Some varieties are more tolerant than others, and temporary wilting doesn't necessarily mean a plant is dying, but maintaining the conditions they prefer can be demanding during prolonged dry weather.

Peonies are different. Once established, they can be relatively resilient, but they still need suitable soil, good drainage and appropriate growing conditions. Their performance during drought depends on factors such as variety, soil type, exposure and establishment.

For me, the decision is about being realistic about the plants I want to grow and the resources I want to devote to them.

Rather than repeatedly trying to accommodate plants that aren't the right fit for my growing system, I'd rather concentrate on species that are better suited to the conditions I can provide.

This is an important consideration for anyone planning a garden for hotter summers. Before buying a plant, think about how much water it will need, how it will cope with your soil and exposure, and whether you can realistically provide the conditions it prefers.

Sometimes the most sustainable gardening decision isn't finding another way to keep a particular plant alive. It's choosing a different plant altogether.

3. I'm looking more closely at plants that can cope with dry conditions

Choosing suitable plants is one of the most practical ways to reduce the work involved in maintaining a garden through dry weather.

Drought-tolerant plants have a variety of adaptations that help them cope with limited water. Some have fleshy leaves that store moisture, while others have small or narrow leaves that limit water loss. Many Mediterranean herbs are well adapted to sunny positions and free-draining soil.

For a sunny herb garden, there are several useful options.

Purple Sage (Salvia officinalis 'Purple') provides aromatic evergreen foliage and culinary interest. It is well suited to sunny positions with good drainage and can cope with dry spells once established.

Winter Savory (Satureja montana) is another hardy perennial herb that suits sunny, free-draining conditions. It's useful in the kitchen and offers year-round structure.

Oregano (Origanum vulgare) is a versatile perennial herb whose flowers can attract pollinators as well as providing aromatic leaves for cooking.

For ground cover in a sunny, well-drained position, Creeping Sedum is worth considering. Its fleshy foliage helps it tolerate dry conditions, and its low-growing habit makes it useful in rockeries and other areas where the soil dries out quickly.

These plants still need water while establishing, and none is guaranteed to thrive in every garden. Matching the plant to the soil and position remains essential.

4. A drought-resilient garden can still be full of flowers

Reducing watering doesn't have to mean giving up colourful borders or wildlife-friendly planting.

There are flowering perennials that can cope with dry conditions once established, provided they're planted in the right position.

Red Valerian (Centranthus ruber) is a long-flowering perennial that can grow in surprisingly challenging places, including dry walls and sunny, free-draining sites.

Purple-top Vervain (Verbena bonariensis) adds height and airy clusters of flowers to sunny borders. Its blooms are attractive to pollinating insects, and established plants can tolerate periods of dry weather.

African Daisy 'Tresco Purple' (Osteospermum jucundum) offers vivid purple flowers and a spreading habit for sunny positions.

For a wildlife-friendly garden, I would look at combining plants such as these with other perennials that suit the site, rather than relying on one type of flower. A mixture of flowering times and plant structures can provide a more varied habitat for insects.

The key is to choose plants that suit the conditions you actually have, rather than trying to reproduce the growing conditions of a completely different climate.

5. Soil protection and plant choice work together

The woodchip observation has reinforced something important: choosing drought-tolerant plants and improving growing conditions shouldn't be treated as separate tasks.

A plant may have natural adaptations that help it cope with dry weather, but it still has to obtain water and nutrients from its surroundings. Protecting the soil can help reduce moisture loss, while good soil structure supports healthy root development.

There are several practical steps worth taking before the next dry spell:

- Mulch where appropriate. Use suitable organic material to protect exposed soil and help conserve moisture.

- Keep new plants watered. Even drought-tolerant plants need sufficient water while establishing their roots.

- Water thoroughly when needed. Aim to wet the root zone rather than repeatedly dampening just the surface.

- Collect rainwater. Make use of rainfall when it arrives so that some water is available during drier periods.

- Choose plants for the site. Consider sunlight, soil drainage, wind exposure and the amount of water you can realistically provide.

These measures won't eliminate the effects of extreme weather, but they can help reduce unnecessary stress on plants and make gardening more manageable.

6. I'm planning for the garden I want to maintain in the future

The biggest lesson from this summer is that I want to be more deliberate about how I use my time and resources.

I don't want to spend every hot summer trying to keep unsuitable plants alive, nor do I want to assume that regular watering is the only answer to dry conditions.

Instead, I want to focus on protecting the soil, choosing plants that suit their growing environment and creating a garden that is resilient without requiring constant intervention.

That doesn't mean every plant has to be drought tolerant, or that we should all grow the same selection of species. Shaded gardens, damp woodland areas and sunny, exposed borders have very different needs. Diversity is still important, and the right plant in the right place remains one of the foundations of good gardening.

But as our summers become less predictable, it makes sense to consider how much water a plant needs, how it responds to heat and whether it is a sensible long-term choice for our particular garden.

For me, the healthier plants in the woodchip-mulched areas and the decision to stop growing hydrangeas and peonies are two practical reminders that the way forward isn't necessarily to work harder. It's to learn from what we observe and adjust our approach.

Planning a more drought-resilient garden?

If you're looking for plants to suit sunny, free-draining positions, explore our range of drought-tolerant plants, including hardy herbs and flowering perennials.

At Wild but Rooted, we're interested in plants that offer lasting value, whether that's food, flowers, wildlife benefits or simply the pleasure of growing something unusual. By choosing plants thoughtfully and looking after the soil beneath them, we can create gardens that are better prepared for whatever the next summer brings.

Wild but Rooted is an online nursery growing and supplying plants for gardeners who want to work with nature. We grow without synthetic pesticides, herbicides or fertilisers, with a focus on useful, wildlife-friendly and unusual plants.