Heat-loving Flowers and Foliage

One of the most common email messages we get is: “I live in a hot climate. What seeds would thrive in my area?”

While I wish that every gardener could grow whatever varieties they wanted, that’s simply not possible. Here in the temperate Pacific Northwest, varieties that love the heat have to be grown in a greenhouse in order to thrive. Meanwhile, some of my flower friends who live in hot, arid climates aren’t able grow many of the most delicate treasures like sweet peas, foxglove, and stock because their climate is just too harsh.

I thought it would be helpful to share a list of some of the easiest-to-grow cut flowers that can take the heat. If you live where the summers get hot and you are looking for some tried-and-true winners to plant into your cutting garden, here are some great suggestions for you.