5 resilient flowers that will thrive in difficult summers...

[@alisonwise3444]

Here in southeastern New York state, zone 7a, my oakleaf hydrangea did seed itself, very much to my surprise, but I actually liked where it landed, and I'm developing a different attitude toward so-called volunteers, anyway. I think sort of artful disarray is becoming more in vogue in gardens. At least, I really like that look for my garden.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

I agree, it can be a lovely surprise to have the right volunteers popping up.

[@damari6442]

I love the term ‘artful disarray’. It describes my garden perfectly! I hope you won’t mind if I borrow the term when describing my garden to friends, I’ve used ‘managed chaos’, ‘happy accident’ and lots of other terms before, but I think your term beats them all. Thank you.

[@clobolikesrocks9590]

@@damari6442 I came here to say the same! A lovely phrase!

[@chelseajones4141]

They are also particularly good at spreading via "air layering". If the branches are heavy, they will do it on their own 🌿

[@janbutler1814]

Verbena boriensis. I love it as it seeds itself freely between bigger clumps of herbaceous plants and is very tall - 7 feet - and 'thin.' The seedlings are very easy to weed out if they are in the wrong place. It flowers from July to the first frosts and I leave the seed heads on as they look good in winter and the Goldfinches love them.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Absolutely! Good pick.

[@e.m8784]

Our cosmos are crazy under full sun. They put on such a show when everything else was down.

[@Irreklee]

I like how you cover all countries in your video. Greeting from Australia.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you! And greetings!

[@charliedarwin8481]

I find that plants native to one’s region generally do extremely well and are very resilient.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Good point.

[@nspector]

You clearly do a tremendous amount of research for these videos. It's really quite something. And your sense of organization is top notch. Greatly appreciated.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@beckyscheller9358]

Purple cone flowers are good for me ,zone 5 USA. Reseed but easy to pull out if not wanted. Goldfinches love the seeds in the fall. Bees and butterflies love them too.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

I love coneflowers, and have tried to grow them, but with no success. But I know some people find them really easy and resilient so thank you for suggesting them.

[@1964may25]

I was going to say this very same thing. My cone flowers grow up to 4 feet tall in my NE Oklahoma garden. Wind and drought don't bother them and they gently reseed.

[@totallydomestic433]

I bought an Oakleaf Hydrangea, set it out in my back yard that gets plenty of sun. It struggled to the point it was going to die. So, I dug it up and planted it in a quite shady spot in my front yard. In a corner shaded by a large oak tree but it still got some good sun during the day. Oh my goodness the change! It grew and grew and grew and put out gigantic white panicles that it was an absolute show stopper. I have moved now and miss it so. Hopefully I can find a spot for one here but the sun Is so strong I haven’t chanced it yet. zone 9 N.Florida

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Interesting! I think it does sun better than most hydrangeas, but probably can't manage full blown Florida sun!

[@KPSingh-dv5iq]

You can do it! I have a very successful Oakleaf in Los Angeles which is zone 10b. It grows under the edge of an avocado tree. Took a while to get started but it's a serious champion now. It gets really hot southern exposure afternoon sun for a couple hours, but otherwise it's in dappled shade.

[@laurenb6451]

I keep my Japanese anemones in check by planting them in a space that is surrounded by asphalt and house.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Excellent idea!

[@laurenb6451]

I heard John Lord say in one of his great videos, “Be careful or anemones can become your enemies.”

[@ellenshaw1341]

Once again, you've nailed it. I appreciate your insight and research into whatever topic you've chosen for a specific episode. Thank you ☺️

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you so much!

[@jennyfergus9651]

@@TheMiddlesizedGarden just wanted p

[@p.h.c.1113]

Just today I found another variety of Japanese Anemones, my 5th now, I love them so much! Hopefully I will never feel like getting rid of them... What does grow very well for us in the Midwest, Zone 5, are Rudbeckias. Such a sunny spot in the late Summer garden!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Rudbeckias is a great suggestion.

[@lauranoble2256]

For poor soil in shade Geranium macrorhizum is an excellent ground cover. Deer and rabbits don’t touch it. In good soil with some sun and adequate moisture it grows entirely too well.

[@donaldsonrun2008]

Geranium Bevan's Variety and Ingham's Variety do well in shade too.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Absolutely agree! It's a wonderful plant

[@DalhiaSun]

Your Cosmos on the table is the largest I’ve ever seen! Either it’s great genes or your soil is the best possible.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

I think it's also quite close to the camera so it probably looks a little bit bigger than it is!

[@helenachase78]

I live in 3b zone in Canada. Catmint grows wild here to my surprise , and hydrangeas , yew and boxwood are just being developed that can handle -40. Morden nursery in Manitoba is developing so many super hardy ,English garden favorites that it's becoming exciting to garden again !

[@Kneenibble]

Hello from another Manitoban enjoying Alexandra's videos

[@TheJacey]

Thank you so much for your recommendations! I have some awkward spots that need filling and you have provided some great ideas. Furthermore I would like to add that I've been feeling unsettled and a bit miserable today and you cheered me up immediately. I must watch your channel more often!

[@christinataylor737]

Alexandra has the same effect on me ... and it's not just a quick fix, you go away with the 'seed' of a project'..!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you so much!

[@mikesmith2315]

Excellent topic choice. Tough weather in Scotland this year has me focused on more robust plants going forward.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

It has been a summer that just didn't quite ever get there down here.

[@CottageGardensonForest]

Salvias and verbena do extremely well in my zone 8 garden. They are hardy, easy to propagate, and very drought tolerant. I find coreopsis, gallardia and rudbeckia to very reliable and drought tolerant as well. Thanks

[@helenachase78]

I love all your choices and find them reliable as well.

[@kmw4359]

Salvias and verbena for me too - zone 10

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Salvia and verbena great suggestions! And the others, thank you.

[@DalhiaSun]

I planted a few various colors of rudbeckia in my garden. Within 3 years my entire garden was taken over by a purplish pink rudbeckia. It was everywhere and growing in between everything. Every plant converted to pink. I’ve pulled it all out and I’ll never plant it again. In my garden it’s been a real bully. Coreopsis too plants itself everywhere. So I would advise some caution with these plants.

[@katharinedavis4947]

Perennial geraniums are my go to plants . I have several different types they come tall, short and in between. Pink white , blue , purple and even some orangey ones now . Rozanne are expensive but worth every penny. My allotment floods up to 4 ins some winters on half of it and we just had very hard late frosts this year . Some plants survived and some didn't. Roses of course , my geraniums, acanthus mollis , Esther read daisies , sedum Autumn Joy and a geum. Spurge , a medium sized one is going great guns, though I lost an early red one. My lovely hollyhocks, planted 2020 . Verbena bonariensis . Gallardia have always been terrific at home . ,Many other things died . My campanula, pyramidalis, aconitum . Nepeta was in a pot. ,Surprisingly a buddlia died . I think it was supposed to be a small one . Thank God for the tough ones. Next year I shall plant more spurge and sedums so I don't have so much expense replanting ! K

[@gwenwade6059]

Acanthus, anemones, thistle, rugosa, oak leafed hydrangae ... love them together. Quintessentially curated by nature. Surely the pandemic makes our man made rules on bio safety defunct.

[@suetulloch2138]

Great video as always Alexandra. I watched this with sub titles so I didn't disturb my husband and the best 'howler' is "japanese and enemies" 😂. I have japanese anemones in my garden and you are right they are difficult to control, but I love them. Best wishes, Sue

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Love that! We have been upgrading our sub titles so that they make sense (after spotting that 'Knautia macedonica' was turned into 'naughtier Macedonians'... and 'Victorian terraced house' into 'Victorian terrorist house' but this obviously has slipped through the net.

[@athomewithfrancsicio]

#Lantana are the super stars 🌟 in my garden, one of my landscapers planted it for me to start off my garden almost 5 years ago. It's a perennial and blooms all season starting in May through November here in the US zone 8a. It comes back yearly on time every time. You deadhead it frequently throughout the seaaon and they bloom back immediately. No fuss, full sun, very fragrant and great in flower arrangements. They come in yellow, pink, mauve and a beautiful white. They need to be cut down to the stems and cover in mulch and compost manure over winter. They are the happiest most dependable flower in my garden❤💕❤

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Great suggestion, thank you!

[@donnavorce8856]

You're the best! Thank you for your thorough presentations. We appreciate them so much.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@gwenwade6059]

Margaret Roberts' lavender. South Africa.

[@lilbathtub9793]

Your hair looks great Alexandra! That style suits you :)

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Oh thank you!

[@maryanna6302]

Very timely, thank you! I would like to see more flowering from mid summer onward in my garden, so I'm happy to see these recommended hardy flowers and plants. I'm already having great luck with cosmos, and very interested to try Nepeta. My hardiest plant in the heat is lavender, and I keep a few of them unpruned until winter as little birds love the seeds. We are zone 8b here in Pacific NW USA but summers are getting hotter and drier.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@gryl7471]

Yeah. I live in outskirts of Portland. Says 8b, I have been growing the same patch of nasturtiums for 3 years! And a tender fuschia too. So weird to me. I wonder if maybe our zone is higher than is listed. Twenty years ago about half the time I'd lose begonias. And fuschias and nasturtiums did not survive the winters.

[@MisBunnypics]

Sedums and daylilies are my go to you can't kill them. My latest obsession is heuchera their very easy too sun or shade I want all the different colors!

[@janewoods870]

What a useful and informative video! I love your choice of plants, have many of them myself and wholeheartedly agree with your enthusiasm and cautions. Many thanks!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thanks so much! 😊

[@katebroome3505]

Thank you for the great tips. Geranium Rozanne does very well in my garden. It grows vigorously in sun and shade I find. Begonia Apricot Shades is another of my favourites. Mine are in a hanging basket. Initially I was under the impression that it was not a perennial plant. However after doing some research I tried leaving mine in the basket over Winter. They came back the following year in abundance and have been ever since. Beautiful large Apricot, Yellow and orange large flowers that go on until Late Autumn.

[@nataliedodson1637]

Hi thank you for your comment. That's very interesting to hear. I will try that. Take care Natalie

[@kimfox5186]

Borage is a wonderful companion in your garden and especially around the vegetables. It does self seed but is very easy to pull out or transfer. It is well loved by pollinators and the flowers can be added to a salad or ice cubes. They will cope with anything mother nature throws at them and will keep flowering for the whole season. I don't know if it used in a flower border perhaps better amongst shrubs. Thank you for yet another lovely video.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

I agree, I have borage in one corner of the garden. It arrived on the wind and self seeds obligingly, but not to nuisance proportions.

[@jewelzhang3745]

In zone8, I found Rose of Sharon is very resilient and blooms long and beautifully, it seems somewhat under appreciated for some reason. I planted a few this year under basically full sun and it’s just blooming nonstop. Shouldn’t need to water them at all next year and onwards.

[@robjoyce2395]

I have Persicaria amplexicaulis growing and flowering very well in a pretty dry area of my garden.

[@folee_edge]

I love all of these plants, and also have them in my garden.

[@anndaley4001]

Every year I am delighted by the colourful and long flowering period of annual lobelias

[@DownButNotOutYet]

I always stand amazed how prolific the British gardens are. You have such cold snowy winters yet the finest flowers grow in the cottage gardens!! I had a beautiful bed of Iris's, mainly pastel colours because that's what i love. We had an unexpected hail storm and shredded all of them, somebody exclaimed, oh your mother's Iris's!! As we all know. you snap the stalk you have to wait for the next season, so did I!! Can't get furious with the weather, so just tidy up best you can, and carry on. Also the U.K. have the most sought after garden implements, so won't be too concerned about comments from neighbouring countries. We all have our diamonds!! We have around Easter time, Cosmos growing in open areas, they do not get any fertilizers, only rain water when it comes pouring down from the heavens and people use to pick bunches to brighten up their homes. I prefer them growing outside as they have such a beautiful display and when the wind blows gently over them, they look like confetti pouring down. Gardening can all be based on trial and error. If it doesn't produce, grow as you expected, remove and donate and then replace. Now the Pom Pom tree is in full bloom and I am not touching it anymore!! How silly can we be at times, at times never satisfied. Kind regards, Elize.

[@clarevickers923]

Lovely great information

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@irairod5160]

Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful! I am on the east coast of the USA and garden [mostly] with plants that are native to my area, but one of my few exceptions is Cosmos. They just make me smile. I have a mix of dark pink, soft pink, and white and I love them as cut flowers---they arrange themselves! I "forgive" myself for planting this non-native because the local pollinators love them, including the goldfinches, so I feel that as far as "invasives" go, this one is pretty inoffensive.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Definitely! Here in the UK, there is less concern about non-native plants because they've been arriving slowly by sea and land for thousands of years, and there was a study to show that many of our insects had adapted or could adapt to many plants regardless of origin. So now there is some debate as to what actually is indigenous to the UK (is it more than 10,000 years ago or before the last Ice Age?). But plants that swamp an environment leading to loss of biodiversity is certainly an issue.

[@irairod5160]

@@TheMiddlesizedGarden I agree! What "belongs" in a place will always be debatable. I have removed 90% of my lawn, planted as many native trees as I could, and have slowly replaced the worst offenders that came with the house (Nandinas, Liriope, English Ivy, Ligustrum) with natives that support local pollinators, especially bees, but I also give myself enough grace to keep a few, carefully selected non-native things that bring me joy and make me want to "be" in the garden. As you say, biodiversity is so important! I appreciate all you share with us. Thank you for the thoughtful reply.

[@sharonp.6505]

Brilliant list! We're shifting our new plantings towards drought tolerant and hardy perennials and annuals. We're in Maine, USA and have had very unusual extremes of weather for the last few years. My current obsession is the persicarias. Taurus, Summer Dance, Firetail, the ground cover "Dimity and Giant fleece flower are my favorite varieties. They are bomb proof and beautiful!

[@folee_edge]

GREAT suggestions - your garden sounds lovely!

[@tD-oo2ox]

Great video once again, thank you and food for thought. I had a load of structural work done to my house and garden this year so had empty beds at the beginning of the season with no time to do much with them. I got 3 packets of cosmos seeds and one of Sarah Raven's Bishop's children. All germinated very easily and grew on beautifully. I wasn't expecting much but even the exposed beds are jam packed full of colour (and bees) despite the weather. Not bad for a little over £5 with the bishops children possibly lasting more than one season!

[@anneas8532]

Yet again! a well presented, and informative video by you Alexandra. I have clay soil to contend with and over the years have spent a fortune on top soil and compost. I try to fill the garden with flowers for the butterflies and bees, and with the exception of the Oak Leaf Hydrangea, and NepetaI I already have the plants you talk about. . So you explaining the care and attention the plants need, is so helpful. So, I am off to see if my local Hoo Nursery, has the Oak Leaf Hydrangea, even if it’s a little late for planting.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you! and it's not long till planting time again, probably only about 6 weeks, I think!

[@judymertz7670]

You will love the oakleaf hydrangea. It is exactly like Alexandria explained...no muss, no fuss. One additional benefit is the fragrance.

[@waygoblue4729]

I'm from Alabama, and the oak leaf hydrangea is our state wildflower (the camellia is our state flower). Althea and crepe myrtles, though more bush/tree, are also good for brightening up a yard in dry weather around here (zone 7a -9a), but zinnias are my "go-to" flower. And, I'm finding more and more varieties of them each year, it seems!

[@wyzhang5800]

really like all your videos, just the right length. You also covers the topic really well. Thank you for sharing!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thanks for watching!

[@MyFocusVaries]

We've had the opposite weather this year! The driest, hottest summer on record. Finding resilient plants is a great video idea! I love Japanese anemone--even after spending hours digging them out of my garden where they were taking over. My neighbour has a less invasive variety that she keeps under control by not watering it.

[@itsmewende]

I grow a few of these, would love to have Japanese Anemones too. For early blooms I really love my Columbine...Aquilegia...even tho they do seed themselves around, they usually pick a perfect spot.

[@mikeq6384]

Very informative video, thank you once again !

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Glad you liked it!

[@annashiegl]

Excellent, love the wave behind the echinops 😂

[@helenpruzan6970]

Scabiosa!!!Never gives me any problems and the bees and other pollinators love it

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Good choice!

[@66REDD66]

I love how you’ve recycled your old metal dustbin. ❤️❤️🐝🐝🐝🌻🌻🌻

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@janettempest716]

Lovely video thank you 🙏 ❤️🙏

[@Lulu-ue2lj]

Great video. I love that you included roses. I think they are tops. I live in zone 9 also, but I’m a drought ridden part of California. My roses are so tough and resilient. Thank you

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@saraw8503]

Your oak leaf hydrangea is pretty but it looks a bit chlorotic. Add chelated iron. I am on the southern eastern coast. Tough, hot, humid conditions. Hard on lavender but I have discovered the phenomenal variety. Two years so far and doing well. I love all your videos. So informative.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you so much!

[@totallydomestic433]

Is the lavender called phenomenal ? Haven’t seen that. Zone 9 lavender doesn’t do so well for me. Would like to try your kind.

[@saraw8503]

Totally Domestic yes. That is the variety name.

[@folee_edge]

I find that lupine work well in my garden - CLAY soil, full sun, partial sun, USDA Zone 7 - 10. They are perennial, and have a great structure and interesting flower stalk. Edit: and you can ignore them - they'll still love you even if you don't water them. If you plant them in anything other than full sun, they are susceptible to powdery mildew.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Good suggestion. I love lupins but have never tried them, but now I think I should.

[@folee_edge]

@@TheMiddlesizedGarden the pink and white variety are especially lovely ❤️

[@alisonvanwyk4348]

Thank you l live in Cape town and a lot of the plants you talked about grow well here too . You have a lovely garden

[@KPSingh-dv5iq]

I have an Oakleaf Hydrangea under an avocado tree in zone 10b. It gets a brief, very hot, southern afternoon sun-but is shaded the rest of the day. After a slow start the first year and a half, it's now an absolute monster. In a good way! But I do have to prune it back to keep the paths open. The BEST, easiest, Southern California plant is a Sphaeralcea incana (I have the bright pink version which is fabulous). It's as easy to grow as Passion flower or prickly pear, but it's so much more whimsical and almost never looks a mess. You can prune it back hard for an upright explosion of blooms, or go a little more gently for a graceful, arching posture.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

That sounds fabulous

[@JerriBerriW]

american east coast resident is jealous of your weather here! haha

[@marilyncoburn4936]

I grew Cosmos for the first time this year. I had lots of greenery but few flowers. Don’t know why. I’m zone 9. Thanks for your video.

[@Dottiemi]

Same here, they do attract ladybirds though so I'm enjoying that!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Not quite sure why that happened - the only thing I can think of is whether you kept dead-heading the flowers you did have. It's also possible that you have quite rich soil - there seemed to be some disagreement online as to whether cosmos are best in poor soil. Though my soil is quite rich, I think.

[@marilyncoburn4936]

@@TheMiddlesizedGarden thanks for your response. Yes I have rich soil and I started them from seeds. They germinated very easily. I live in Vancouver Canada and it’s been an exceptional hot summer. Some are now starting to flower 🌸. Thanks

[@lulajohns1883]

I live in a zone 4 and my David Austin roses are amazing. Great list of plants.

[@ammorales1524]

I live in Northern CA on the coastside and I grow Japanese anemones. I used to plant them in the ground but I list quite a few to gophers. They can be invasive for sure but I love them so much. I was able to save one clump which is now growing in a big plastc tub that I placed in a nice ceramic planter facing southeast. i am currently enjoying their lovely blooms. I have the variety called September Charm, aptly named for sure.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

September Charm is lovely, I have that too.

[@gerdaho1]

Thanks so much. Every time we have to head into town for an appointment, you have a video up that inspires me and allows me to go into the garden centre with a real idea of what I want. Oakleaf hydrangea for the corner where the overhanging branches and the roots of the neighbour's conifer make life almost impossible for anything I ever started there.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

That does sound like a really tricky spot. A friend of mine had the same problem and put her hydrangea in a very large pot, although that does mean you have to look after it a bit more. But see whether good old quercifolia can manage in the ground first.

[@moominpupa]

You've got the same Dolly tub as me. Love it.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

I love it too. They used to be so cheap, but not any longer.

[@susanlawyer8492]

Alexandra I love your channel I look forward to all your shows you give a lot of good information and you don't waste time rambling on you get right to the point that's so important. All your shows are so interesting keep it up you're doing a great job Susan from Kentucky

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@pozzee2809]

Please remember us in Canada 🇨🇦 ❤️❤️❤️

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Oh yes I will! And so sorry not to have mentioned you, I do think about Canada but I hadn't got my head round the zones - but I will now, thanks for saying!

[@jaaustin500]

I love roses but here in Canada I have a problem with Japanese beetles that eat the buds before they even have a chance to flower-it’s absolutely devastating so I’ve given up on them. 😢 I also have an oak leaf hydrangea in full sun (but Canadian sun) that does wonderfully well and grows so big I need to prune it almost annually to keep it in its corner of my small suburban garden. Thanks for the tips on the flowers! 👍😀

[@juliepardo7767]

Whole heartedly agree, Oak leafs are beautiful, hardy shrubs. I just purchased another this past Spring, the variety Gatsby Moon(Proven Winners), the flowers are gorgeous. I highly recommend the dwarf variety, Munchkin, equally beautiful and stays true to its compact hybridization. Not on your list, but I find Russian sage a very low maintenance, hardy perennial and it's so beautiful, the pollinators are always all over it. It smells wonderful too. I dry it with rosemary, lavender, and lemon balm and put it in satchels for my closets. I'm not sure if it deters moths, but it sure smells fantastic!

[@margaretross8486]

Thank you. The weather in my part of Australia, at the moment, seems to be like yours - wet and cold. I love Japanese anemones- I have white and pink and they have stayed in place and not spread to other parts of the garden. I recommend Bearded Iris - very tough, and Penstemons (strangely, I found that it sometimes self seeds). Both are plants that can easily be removed but also can be divided for sharing and come in a range of colours.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you and I agree with your choices

[@mikesmith2315]

I had some nice poppies this year in tough conditions. Also had giant poppies whose petals flew off in the gentlest of breezes so will give those a miss next year.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

That's a good suggestion, mine were good this year, although a little briefer than usual, I thought.

[@helenachase78]

You've made a terrific video this time Alexandra. There is a lively discussion in the comment section. Well done, once again !

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you so much - some great plants in the comments, I agree!

[@donaldauguston9740]

Thank you Alexandra. I just love this site.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@DelightfulSouvenirs]

Oooh I live in USDA Zone 4... I do love your channel, I learn a lot. Take lessons and experiment on my own garden, see what works. I love listening to you, you voice is beautiful and your episodes are always well researched.

[@mikesmith2315]

Nothing eats cosmos !

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Glad to hear it!

[@folee_edge]

Finches love the seeds though 😊

[@pamelaroberts5119]

Slugs and snails will eat young plants

[@jewelzhang3745]

I think I have just finally found my Zone8a garden channel to subscribe! I love your concept and choices about not having to water them after the first year. I’m a new gardener, didn’t find Oakleaf hydrangea, but started on some Limelight, and endless summer hydrangeas. They are probably not as drought tolerant…

[@mariedeyo7399]

Hello hello, great video and so fitting for a year with stange weather. We did not have to much rain here in the Münsterland but it was not as warm either. For me thats good, I dont need more than 21 Celsius but the tomatos do. Last year I planted japanese anemones but they totaly got cut out from foxglove. The foxglove was realy stunning this year as well as nepita and the sunflowers . All in the sun for most of the day. But I have to say, I do water a lot because lots has been planted last year or even this year. 🙋🏼‍♀️🌻 Take care, till next week.

[@Rougebasque]

Very interesting subject especially with global warming, I think we should think about the future when choosing our plants. Can't go wrong with hardy geraniums, gauras, euphorbias, cosmos, verbena boriensis and hydrangeas paniculas!

[@nicolejordan5278]

I always learn something new when watching your videos-thank you. BTW, you are looking particularly lovely in this video-not sure what skincare products you are using, but you are glowing. 👍🏻

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@tessmonro7102]

It's taken me 4 years to get rid of a very small clump of acanthus mollis from my garden in New Zealand. Impervious to sprays (which I only use as an exception) but I still sprayed then kept under a thick sheet of black plastic for 4 years!! In my area we have hot, dry summers and cold frosty winters.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

I've been getting rid of the purple variety for about 8 years and it still occasionally pops up again!

[@totallydomestic433]

Someone will probably shoot me for saying this but I. Always plant white Mexican Petunia in my Gardens. They are hearty as nails & can take the fiercest of Fl sun. The white blooms are very soft Looking and will soften any garden. They haven’t been a problem at all or been evasive.

[@thehorti-culturalists]

So well researched Alexandra! Great vid as ever!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Ah, thank you, hope you agree with the choices!

[@yvonnehall544]

A great video .A beautiful garden . Elegant Lottie graced us with its presence...You are just the best...love the Japanese anemone...have to invest in a few plants ..Thanks again

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Glad you enjoyed it - I think I shall be getting some more Japanese anemones, too, in spite of their vigour.

[@qqwisch]

Hi, I’m really interested in the part where you said catmint is not really a great companion for roses. Can you do a video introducing/recommending good companion plants for roses? Thank you

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

I'll certainly bear that in mind, good idea.

[@1Thedairy]

Salvias are supposed to keep the aphids away I believe but the one I really love is Geranium pratense ‘Midnight Reiter, it has purple foliage and beautiful lilac flowers that seem to blossom all summer then if you cut them back you can get a second flush. They have looked stunning this year under my white David Austin roses. I highly recommend.

[@OliverJazzz]

Once again I'd recommend french marigolds, zinnias and different types of mints, all need sun, though.

[@paulawalker9790]

Thanks for another informative video, Alexandra. I planted hydrangea limelight in a shady spot in Autumn and it’s doing well. You’re right though it doesn’t like to get dry. I’m going to try the oak leaf which is lovely. I love cosmos too, but, my purple acanthus planted years ago is constantly popping up all over the garden. Unfortunately I can’t have nepeta as we’re surrounded by cats which kill our birds and use the garden as a toilet.

[@jeancleo5505]

Silene coronaria do very well in my garden and are drough resistents. They do spread, but are easy to pull out. Also california poppy's, (annuals) but do very well and bloom all summer and seed themselves, also easy to pull out if you don't want them in a spot.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Agreed, silene (which we call Lychnis, I think) is wonderfully resilient, and I haven't grown California poppies but have seen them doing very well in other gardens this year.

[@yvonnehall544]

If Lottie wasn't in this video my error ..must be in another i was watching. Shes so beautiful

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you - there was a quick flick of her tail at one point - I think when talking about the Bear's Britches.

[@ozarkview928]

Thank you so much for this very informative video! I am wanting to plant an oak leaf hydrangea in what I consider a difficult spot , north side of my house that gets the west sun . I’m in zone 6. I think I’ll give it a try ! I love Japanese Anemone , I have tried a few times to start it in my clay soil finally a small plant is looking promising, fingers crossed.

[@folee_edge]

Thanks!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Welcome!

[@swsunsetseeker7285]

Suggestions-Cold Hardy Plumbago and Lychnis Orange

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Lovely suggestions. I have the pink Lychnis which has done very well, too.

[@swsunsetseeker7285]

@@TheMiddlesizedGarden these are a couple of my ground covers. The Plumbago is for blue flowers and burgundy fall leaf color. Lychnis orange Vesuvius is for the punch of orange and burgundy leaf color. I was able to buy Lychnis seeds online.

[@AbundantFoodForest]

Amazing Video!! You Amazing!!✨🌿

[@tanarehbein7768]

Nepita seems to fix nitrogen around my miniature roses. When it gets too vigorous I edit by ripping it out by hand like a weed. I just keep it from burying the more sophisticated specimen plants. However I'll never get rid of it because it is one of the best bloomers in either a wet year or drought when other plants can struggle.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

It's very pretty too.

[@convinth]

I find with Japanese anemones that the best way to contain them is to grow them in pots standing on hard surfaces. I did have them in pots situated on the earth but of course they burrowed down and took root and I ended up with them in the pot surrounded by new growth all around the pot! I understand that some of the fancier varieties, such as Honorine Jobert, are not quite so aggressive. A little surprised that you've been hit by winds. Where I live, in Gloucester, it's been alright, unlike summer last year when we had extremely strong winds.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Agreed, am hoping to try Honorine J as she is absolutely beautiful and better behaved. The winds have been odd, like the rest of the summer, windy one minute, then not the next, but a few quite major storms. No damage though, thank heavens

[@RoseMary-vs3io]

👌👍

[@emilydryden5023]

I love Japanese Anemones and have planted and enjoyed them several times. But the deer love to eat them and they never last. (I am in SE Pennsylvania in the Us.). I do have Acanthus Mollis but since it is native here, I have to consider it aggressive as opposed to invasive.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Interesting, yes, that is a difference!

[@sahabshraddha8453]

Nice vid🦋💓💓💚💚

[@artemisgrier8989]

I take a mower to my Japanese anemones once for a Chelsea chop, and they don’t flop or die back! 👍🏻. My pink variety squeezed out my white Honorine Joubert 🤬

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Heavens. good idea.

[@antoinettebeck6773]

Please include South Africa...

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Ah yes, I will look up your weather...

[@maple5224]

Alexandra, is that cosmos dazzler in the vase behind you? The flowers look huge and so much larger than any I have ever managed to grow, if they are indeed dazzler.

[@kristinastoltzfus6032]

I love Bears Breeches but must be doing something wrong as I have tried four times to grow it and with no success. I am in zone 7 in heavy red clay. Great video. Thank you!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Interesting! I haven't heard of that before but it may be the heavy clay.

[@simpleurbanliving]

For the life of me, I can’t grow cosmos!! Zinnias grow better for me. And my Japanese Anemones doesn’t bloom if they don’t get water.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Interesting!

[@sarahmarti141]

Great info! BTW, does your hydrangea have chlorosis? The veins look really dark.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

I've had another look, and I think there may be some chlorosis on the younger leaves, so I'm going to include that on the next video, thanks for highlighting it.

[@anneconoulty4722]

Another beautiful video,thank u. Can I ask why my Acanthus mollis has not flowered ( live in North London). I planted in semi shade this year lots of leaf but no flower. I ‘m disappointed. Should I dig up & move.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

I think it may not be old enough- my Rue Ledan didn't flower for 2-3 years, hope next year will be better for you

[@anneconoulty4722]

@@TheMiddlesizedGarden thank u for the advice, will leave it where it is for now.

[@carmenbailey1560]

👍❤️😊

[@theduchessofmearns]

What is the name of the hedge plant in your background ?

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

I think it's privet if I'm thinking of the same hedge.