Overview

• The Natural Gardener has identified 23 species with leaf traits—pale, small, hairy, waxy or succulent—that reduce moisture loss and thrive in temperatures exceeding 30°C.
• Pale-coloured leaves reflect sunlight, small foliage cuts evaporation, hairy surfaces trap humidity, waxy coatings deflect heat and succulents store water for dry conditions.
• Ollie Lockland advises prioritising perennial plants to sustain garden vitality with minimal irrigation and to provide ongoing support for bees, butterflies and other pollinators.
• Repeated days above 30°C this summer have left many traditional British garden varieties wilting, browning or suffering stunted growth under drought stress.
• As climate change drives hotter, drier summers and raises the prospect of hosepipe bans, drought-resistant perennials offer a sustainable path to conserving water and boosting ecosystem resilience.