Plants that survive the summer

Flowering plants for summer

Daisies

Daisies are one of the most famous flowers in the world, not only because of their symbolism (we have all plucked a daisy) but also because they are able to survive in extremely hot conditions. They are semi-bushy and bloom almost all year round, from spring to early winter. They require abundant watering and a loose substrate, with plenty of sand to facilitate drainage. They are hardy, easy to care for and will adorn your terrace or balcony with their yellow or white flowers.

Aster

Very similar to the daisy, it produces beautiful flowers of varied colour, they can be violet or pink. It prefers direct sunlight, is very rustic and easy to look after. Care must be taken with watering, which should be frequent in spring, summer and autumn but should be stopped in winter. The substrate should be loose, well-drained and fertile, so that it does not become waterlogged and will survive until the following year without any problems.

Petunias

Petunias bloom abundantly in summer, so they will be the stars of the season. There are many colours and variations to choose from. They all love full sun, but in winter they should be sheltered because they do not tolerate frost. They require abundant and frequent watering and a well-drained substrate to prevent fungus.

Aromatic plants for summer

Rosemary

Rosemary is a wonderful aromatic plant that is used as a seasoning in Mediterranean cuisine. It is fantastic because it grows lush, green and leafy in full sun; it requires little water and adapts to any type of soil. During the summer and spring it produces pretty violet flowers that spread between its leaves, so it is not only a useful plant but also a very pretty one.

Sage

This beautiful aromatic, with pretty deep green leaves produces deep purple flowers that will adorn your home. It is very easy to care for, undemanding when it comes to watering and loves full sun. You can use its leaves to garnish your food, especially fish, pork and poultry. It prefers well-drained and composted substrates, which will prolong its life span.

Lavender

We are all familiar with the delicious aroma that comes from this plant. It is said to have healing properties, as it is able to reduce anxiety and facilitate sleep. It produces beautiful spikes of violet flowers during the spring and summer season. It prefers direct sun exposure and requires short, not too frequent waterings. They must have very good drainage and be careful with continuous rainfall, as they are prone to fungus. Despite these details, they are hardy and very easy to care for.

Thyme

Thyme is a very pretty aromatic, because it grows as a small rounded shrub and can develop white and pink flowers. It is great as a garnish for any Mediterranean dish and as an infusion to improve digestion and treat colds. It prefers tall, deep pots with a good drainage system to give its long roots space. It is not at all fussy about the soil, but if you add a little compost, you will see that it becomes lush. It requires little water, so it is very easy to look after as long as it gets all the sunlight it needs.

Summer Foliage Plants

Olive tree

Olive trees are classics of the Mediterranean landscape, so you'll be familiar with their proverbial hardiness and handsome shape. It is very easy to care for, as long as it has enough light and adequate watering during the growing season (spring-summer) it will be able to withstand winter temperatures, although if the tree is very young, it is best to shelter it indoors. It is not at all demanding with the type of substrate, although it must have a good drainage, as it does not resist waterlogging.

Bamboo

Believe it or not, you can grow bamboo in good sized pots. The best thing about bamboo is that it can grow into a natural barrier that will give you an extra touch of privacy on your terrace or balcony. It is a very hardy grass, which fills up with green leaves along its branch. It requires abundant watering (but not too much) as well as direct sun exposure. The substrate should be well fertilised to ensure growth.

Sansevieria

The Snake plant is a survivor, which can adapt very well to sun exposure on a terrace or balcony. Because of its elongated shape it will offer height and if you plant several together, it can be used to offer some privacy on balconies. It is not at all fussy, does well in almost any type of substrate and requires little watering, and with its pretty contrasting shades of green and yellow it will look great amongst other flowering plants.