You know those days when you’re feeling the heat of the summer and wondering how you and your garden flowers will possibly survive it? As far as the flowers go, you’ve got options! There are heat-tolerant flowers that can fill your garden with delicate and vibrant blooms through those sweltering summer months.

Some options listed are perennials for warmer climates while others can be grown as annuals in those cooler climates still managing to bring you a hot summer. If you’re looking for drought-resistant species, some of these will fall into that category as well. Just because you’re finding it hard to thrive in the heat, doesn’t mean your garden can’t take centerstage!

Ageratum

Growth:

They prefer well-draining, fertile soil and will do well with a standard 1-inch-a-week watering. They are native to Mexico and thrive in full sun. Ageratum flowers are commonly found in blue-lavender shades and will bloom from spring until fall. Many varieties are grown as shorter, edging plants, but there are now longer-stemmed varieties that make excellent cut flowers.

Zone 2-11 annual

Amaranth

Growth:

They prefer well-draining, average soil and will do well with a standard 1-inch-a-week watering. Amaranth will thrive in full sun, but it might benefit from some afternoon shade in extremely hot temperatures. There are over 75 species ranging from leafy varieties to those with long, draping flower heads. They are classically found in colors ranging from deep burgundy to light coral.

Zone 2-11 annual or short-lived perennial

Blue Salvia

Growth:

They prefer well-draining soil and benefit from an addition of 1 inch of compost at the beginning of spring. Deadhead spent flowers regularly to encourage growth and have a long summer season of gorgeous blue blooms. Blue salvia is drought tolerant and reseeds itself easily.

Zone 2-10 annual & perennial varieties

Bougainvillea

Growth:

They thrive in well-draining soil and once established (after 1-2 years) they require no additional watering except in periods of drought. Being a tropical plant, bougainvillea thrives in full sun to produce vibrant flowers. You can prune your plant throughout the year and especially at the end of winter before the new growth cycle.

Annual zone 2-8, perennial zone 9-11

Celosia

Growth:

They prefer rich, well-draining soil and high humidity. The species of spicata, plumosa, and cristata all produce uniquely shaped, colorful blooms. Celosia makes a wonderful cut flower with stiff, sturdy flowering heads and stems. The flowers can last up to a month in the garden.

Annual; perennial zone 10-11

Coreopsis

Growth:

They thrive in a sunny spot with well-draining soil. Coreopsis is a low-maintenance, drought-tolerant flower with a long blooming period from summer until your first frost. There are perennial and annual species to choose from for your garden. They are classically found in bright yellow, but there are red, white, pink, and orange varieties as well.

Zone 2-11 annual or perennial

Cosmos

Growth:

Once established, they can handle drought and poor soil conditions. They flower through the fall to fill your garden with delicate, vigorous blooms. Cosmos are native to the arid regions of Mexico and Central America and need full sun to produce the most flowers.

Zone 2-11 annual

Dianthus

Growth:

They prefer very well-draining soil (as they are prone to root rot) and are best planted in the spring for a long blooming season. They are usually considered more of a cool season crop, but there are varieties that can well withstand a hot summer. Dianthus prefer full sun, but they can tolerate partial shade.

Zone 3-10 annual, biennial, or perennial

Gaillardia

Growth:

They prefer poor (yes, poor), well-draining soil and thrive in full sun. Gaillardias make great cut flowers or border flowers with their long blooming season. Once established they are extremely drought tolerant and thrive in hot, dry climates over cool, wet ones. Their daisy-like blooms liven up a garden space.

Zone 3-11 short-lived perennial

Geraniums

Growth:

Fertile, well-draining soil is the preferred environment for them. Their long-season blooms make them an eye-catching flower choice for late spring through fall. They might benefit from some shade in the afternoon summer sun, but they are rather tolerant of hot conditions. Make sure you are aware of whether you are planting Geranium or Pelargonium (annual in most zones except 10-11).

Zone 3-8 perennial

Globe Amaranth (Gomphrena)

Growth:

They require well-draining soil but don’t require extremely fertile soil. Their nativeness to Texas, Mexico, and New Mexico explains their tolerance to high winds and blistering heat. These upright plants produce clover-like blooms throughout the summer that are great for cutting and drying.

Annual zone 2-11, perennial for some zone 9-11

Hibiscus

Growth:

They grow best in moist, well-draining soil and either full sun or partial shade. Vibrant colors vary from white, pink, red, yellow, or orange. This plant will bloom from summer into fall or all year round in tropical climates.

Zone 4-11 annual or perennial

Lantana (in the Verbena genus)

Growth:

They thrive in neutral, well-draining soil and grow best in full sun. They’re heavy drinkers, so water them thoroughly and often when in bloom. Lantana produces multi-colored blooms featuring small flowers in a cluster. They bloom year-round in climates that remain above 55 degrees.

Annual zone 2-6, perennial zone 7-11

Lavender

Growth:

A common flower with a plethora of medicinal, culinary, and crafting uses, lavender has little soil demands except for being well-draining. Standing water encourages root rot. They require and thrive in full sun and are best grown from plants or cuttings.

Zone 5-10 perennial

Mandevilla

Growth:

They grow well in full sun but can tolerate shade and prefer sandy, well-draining soil. Grown in tropical and sub-tropical climates, Mandevilla blooms year-round in warmer climates. They are climbing vines that bloom trumpet-shaped flowers of vibrant colors.

Annual zone 2-9, perennial zone 10-11

Marigold

Growth:

They prefer evenly moist, well-draining soil. Marigolds are fast-growing plants that thrive in full sun; flowering may decrease slightly in the intense summer heat. There are over 50 species of marigolds, and their cheerful, warm colors are the perfect expression of summer and fall in bloom.

Zone 2-11

Plumbago (Leadwort)

Growth:

Plumbago blooms best in full sun and prefers fertile, well-draining soil (but can grow in most soil types). They’re sprawling shrubs with beautiful clusters of blue flowers. If you live outside of zones 9-11 consider growing them in a pot that you can bring indoors in the winter.

Zone 9-11

Statice

Growth:

They prefer rich, well-draining soil. Once established, they are drought-tolerant plants and over-watering is the main way these hardy plants suffer from disease or rotting. They have dense, papery blooms that can be appreciated fresh and dried. In some regions, they behave like perennials and re-bloom year after year.

Zone 2-11 annual (some varieties perennial zone 9-11)

Strawflower

Growth:

They grow best in regions with a hot summer and thrive in well-draining soils with a preference for sandy soil over clay. Strawflowers are heat-tolerant flowers with a long blooming season from summer through fall. They are known as “everlastings” because of their ability to hold their color after being harvested and dried.

Annual zone 2-7, short-lived perennial zone 8-11

Sunflower

Growth:

Sunflowers love full sun and well-draining soil. They bloom from summer through fall with many autumnal color varieties and sizes to choose from. You’ll find them to be easy to grow, pest-resistant, and excellent pollinators. Check out our post on how to grow sunflowers.

Zone 2-11 annual

Sweet Alyssum

Growth:

There are varieties that tolerate heat and fare well in dry conditions. Make sure you have well-draining soil; it can handle sandy soils. Alyssum is generally a cool season crop, but it makes the list because it blooms on both sides of a hot summer. The plants make a colorful blanket of flowers for empty spaces in your garden.

Hardy annual zone 5-8, perennial zone 9-11

Verbena (various species)

Growth:

They thrive in moderately moist, well-draining soil, and full sun. Verbena can tolerate a range of growing conditions including intense heat. Their colorful flowers liven up any space. Lantana is one of many species that can be grown through the heat of summer.

Annual or perennial zone 3-11

Yarrow

Growth:

Yarrow is adaptable to many soil conditions and comes in a variety of gorgeous bright and pastel colors. The plants thrive in hot and sunny conditions and are drought-tolerant. Plant stems will grow long in a hot, humid environment and might require staking to keep them upright.

Zone 3-9 perennial

Zinnia

Growth:

A classic summertime flower, zinnia is easy to grow and makes a lovely cut flower. They have a long, robust blooming season of spring through fall and tolerate poor soil well. Their blooms come in many vibrant and muted colors.

Annual zone 3-10