How to Keep Your Garden Looking Great During a Heatwave

There's nothing better than seeing your garden bursting with colour in June. At this time of year, borders are filling out beautifully, hanging baskets are overflowing, and patios are becoming the perfect place to relax with a morning coffee or evening drink.

But when a heatwave arrives, even the healthiest gardens can start to struggle. Over the years, we've learnt a few tricks from our teams, including those working in our Iver nursery, where keeping thousands of plants healthy through hot weather is all part of the job!

Here are some simple ways to keep your garden looking its best during the hottest days of summer.

Water Smarter, Not Harder

One of the biggest mistakes gardeners make during a heatwave is watering little and often. While it might seem helpful, a light sprinkle rarely reaches the roots where plants need it most.

Instead, water thoroughly in the early morning or late evening. This gives plants time to absorb the moisture before the heat of the day causes it to evaporate.

If you're short on time, consider using:

A watering wand for hanging baskets and containers

A seep hose or irrigation system for borders

Water-retaining granules in pots and baskets

Self-watering containers for patios and balconies

These can make a huge difference, especially if you're away during warm weather.

Keep an Eye on Pots and Hanging Baskets

If there's one thing our nursery team will tell you, it's that containers dry out incredibly quickly in hot weather.

Baskets may need watering once or even twice a day during particularly warm spells. Don't forget to feed regularly too — watering washes nutrients from compost faster than usual.

Our homegrown seasonal plants at the Iver nursery are grown to provide long-lasting summer colour, but even they appreciate a little extra care when temperatures soar.

Mulch is Your Best Friend

A layer of mulch can work wonders during a heatwave.

Applying bark, compost, or well-rotted manure around plants helps:

Retain moisture

Reduce watering needs

Suppress weeds

Keep roots cooler

Think of it as giving your plants a protective blanket from the summer sun.

Deadhead for Continuous Colour

If you're growing geraniums, petunias, roses, or other flowering plants, regular deadheading is one of the easiest jobs you can do.

Removing spent blooms encourages plants to put their energy into producing new flowers rather than seeds, keeping displays looking fresh for longer.

Just five minutes every few days can make a remarkable difference.

Give Your Lawn a Break

Brown patches on lawns can look alarming, but don't panic.

Most established lawns will recover perfectly once rainfall returns. Rather than using large amounts of water on grass, focus your efforts on containers, vegetables, and newly planted shrubs where the impact will be much greater.

Choose Plants That Love the Heat

Some plants positively thrive in hot, sunny weather.

A few of our favourites include:

Lavender

Salvia

Verbena bonariensis

Echinacea

Agapanthus

Osteospermum

Geraniums

Many of these are also excellent for bees and butterflies, helping support pollinators while adding beautiful colour to your garden.

Visit Us for Summer Inspiration

If you're looking to refresh your garden, now is a fantastic time to visit us. Our Iver nursery is currently full of homegrown seasonal plants, grown by our nursery team and ready to bring instant colour to beds, borders, containers, and hanging baskets.

Whether you're looking for drought-tolerant plants, watering solutions, or simply some inspiration, our teams are always happy to help.

After all, a heatwave doesn't have to mean a tired-looking garden. With a little planning and the right plants, your outdoor space can continue looking vibrant all summer long.