As you know, not all flowers are created equal. Some flowers prefer shady conditions and avoid the heat like a plague. And there is good reason to stay in the shade. Extreme heat can destroy your flowers and should be protected from the heat.

On the other hand, some like it HOT! In fact, the hotter, the better. There are flowers that thrive in the heat and aren’t afraid of extreme temperatures. And I’m not referring to those prickly desert plants. These are beautiful blooms that are colourful and bloom all summer long. So bring on heat!

Lantana

• Heat loving perennial
• aromatic flower clusters are a mix of vibrant colours, ranging from yellow and pink, to red and orange, to white and lavender
• attracts butterflies and hummingbirds to the garden
• drought tolerant, heat tolerant and hardy
• grows rapidly and could become invasive
• berries are toxic

Oleander

• loves the sun
• blooms from the middle of May to October
• flowers can be pink, white, red or purple
• requires minimal water and does best in sandy conditions
• the leaves and flowers are poisonous to humans and animals

Vinca (Periwinkle)

• heat and drought tolerant; perfect for hot and dry areas
• easy to grow and maintain
• this plant is grown for its attractive, glossy green foliage
• flowers bloom all summer long; flower colours include white, pink and red
• commonly used in garden borders, edging and grown cover
• this plant is used in traditional herbal medicine

Mexican Sunflower (Tithonia rotundifolia)

• like the name implies, it is native to Mexico and Central America
• bright yellow-orange showy flowers attract butterflies and hummingbirds
• thrive in dry conditions; does well with intense heat
• highly resistant to diseases and pests
• need plenty of room to grow in the garden
• can be used in cut flower arrangements or used as a border plant in gardens

Zinnia

• this heat loving plant is native to Mexico and southern US
• comes in all colours of the rainbow except blue
• colourful flower attracts birds and insects; it’s a source of food for some birds
• easy to grow and flowers bloom quickly
•  can be used in gardens as edging, in window boxes, in rock gardens or as cut flowers