Not all plants need regular watering – an expert shares five flowers that are highly drought-resistant and which will continue to bloom over summer without much help
Caring for plants can be daunting if you’re planning an extended getaway (or are simply just lazy) – luckily, experts have shared five flowers that need little watering. And, no, they’re not cacti.
The UK is infamous for its grey, rainy weather, but long dry patches over the summer aren’t unheard of. This can be devastating for certain plants, which rely on moist soil and a steady stream of hydration. Left to dry out for too long, they can become shrivelled and lacklustre – and, in some cases, wilt completely.
Fortunately, not all plants are parched for water. There are many, like succulents, that originate in hot, dry climates and which have evolved to require little H20. Some common drought-resistant adaptations include thick, waxy skins, which enable plants to conserve water, as well as fleshy stems and leaves that are capable of storing water.
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So, which flowers should you look out for if you don’t want to water them frequently? A gardening expert from Netmums shares five flowers you can plant:
Blanket Flower
With their bright crimson buds and yellow-tipped petals, these flowers resemble carnival-themed daisies. Native to the Americas, blanket flowers enjoy warm temperatures and full sun.
Once established, they also require very little watering. If conditions are extremely hot or dry, they may need to be watered once or twice a week.
Summer Snapdragon
These vertical purple flowers are found from Mexico to Argentina. Even more enticing, they have a sweet, grape-like fragrance which will flood your garden. Summer snapdragons enjoy full sunlight, ideally six to eight hours a day. In times of absolutely no rainfall, they need about one inch of water per week.
Lantana
Lantanas produce delicate little orange and yellow flowers once they begin to bloom. Despite being highly drought tolerant, it is still recommended to water them once a week, especially when they are still growing.
Globe Amaranth
These flowers look just like mini globes and come in shades of pink, white and deep purple. According to Netmums, they’re also a “low-maintenance hero”. This is in large part thanks to how drought tolerant they are. Even in periods of extreme dryness, they only need watering about once a week.
Ornamental Purslane
If you love having bright colours in your garden, then the ornamental purslane – with its crayon-box of pink, yellow and orange blooms – is perfect. Even better it requires very little maintenance.
Netmums writes: “With its succulent leaves and bright, showy blooms, this plant loves sun and hates overwatering — perfect for kids who think “watering the plants” means flooding them.