Surrey and the rest of the Lower Mainland have a mild, oceanic climate with a dry season and rainy season. While some summers are relatively gentle on our plants without excessive heat, other summers can be extremely hot and dry. If you water your garden regularly, then you will have much more freedom is what plants you can grow. However, if you do not water on a regular basis, then your plants will perform better if you choose ones that are resistant to heat and tolerant of dry conditions.

Plants that are tolerant of hot and dry conditions tend to have woody or waxy stems which protect them. In today’s blog article we are going to talk about five (5) common perennials that are particularly tolerant and easy to grow.

Sedum

There are many varieties of sedum that bloom in different colours. Sedum can be shorter or taller, thinner or bushier, but there is a sedum for everyone, and these plants are virtually indestructible.

Sedums are succulents and some people call them “stonecrops”. There are several varieties that are native to BC, so it makes sense that sedums do particularly well here in Surrey.

Euphorbia

There are tons of euphorbias, but Euphorbia characias subsp. wulfenii is the common outdoor perennial you will see at a nursery. Euphorbia is large and diverse genus, and the plants within are known as spurges. Wulfenii is commonly known as the European spurge. Flowers are tall and yellow, and the plant is very hardy. Please note that this plant reseeds itself easily, and the sap can be irritating to skin, so definitely wear gloves when handling it.

Lavender

Is there anyone who does not like lavender? It’s beautiful to look at with purple flowers, and it smells good, too. Lavender can be easily dried and used for interior décor. Lavender is very heat resistant once established and the older parts have woody stems.

Poppies

Poppies are a great choice for resistance to both dry and hot conditions. There are many varieties to choose from with larger or smaller flowers that bloom in different colours. The giant red one that we commonly see on the Lower Mainland, such as in Surrey, is a true perennial dying back to its roots every winter, but many poppy varieties are technically annuals. Annual poppies reseed themselves easily, so they act like perennials even though most are not real perennials. Please note that poppies do not like to be moved once established, so think carefully about where to place them. 

Daylilies

We love daylilies. They are from the genus, Hemerocallis, and they come in many heights and colours. A tuft of daylilies will get bigger and wider every year, and they are very tolerant of any nasty weather conditions. They will perform better with some regular watering, but you will be amazed at how well they do with no water at all. They also make great cut flowers. 

Always keep in mind that newly planted specimens are comparatively fragile and require more regular watering than established plants.

Please feel free to come and visit our store in Surrey, and we will be happy to talk to you about heat-resistant choices for your garden. 

Art Knapp has 15 locations across British Columbia and is well known as the go-to garden centre for everything garden-related. Art Knapp, himself, began the business in the 1940's, and now, 80 years later, you can find more than he ever dreamed of in our stores. Come and see us on King George Boulevard in Surrey. 

If you have any questions about this article or want to talk to us about gardening, just give us a call at (604) 596-9201.