Beat the summer heat with perennials that not only survive but thrive through the hottest months. These heat-tolerant plants hold their shape and color and bloom well into August, keeping your garden lively when other plants fade. Sun-loving and low-maintenance, these rugged bloomers bring vibrant color, pollinator appeal, and reliable charm to every sunny garden style.
1. Hardy Coneflower
Coneflowers thrive in full sun and hot weather. These hardy perennials bloom all summer, attracting bees and butterflies. Their daisy-like flowers come in pinks, purples, and whites and easily handle drought. They’re deer-resistant and easy to grow, making them ideal for beginners. Coneflowers also self-seed, helping to fill garden beds naturally. Their seed heads provide winter interest and food for birds. They pair well with ornamental grasses and other native plants.
2. Bright Black-Eyed Susan
These golden blooms love heat and keep their color through late summer. Black-eyed Susans are low-maintenance and look great in garden beds or borders. They attract pollinators and rebloom with light deadheading. Their sturdy stems hold up against wind and rain. The plant self-seeds, spreading cheerful color across your garden. They pair well with ornamental grasses and purple-flowered companions.
3. Vivid Blanket Flower
Also known as gaillardia, blanket flower adds vibrant red and yellow hues to your garden. It blooms nonstop in hot, dry conditions and pairs well with other sunny perennials. The petals often have a fiery ombré effect that draws attention. These flowers are a favorite among bees and butterflies. Blanket flowers thrive in poor soils and need minimal watering. They’re compact, tidy, and bloom steadily through summer. Their long-lasting blooms are also excellent for cutting gardens.
4. Airy Russian Sage
Tall, airy, and lavender-blue, Russian sage thrives in the hottest, driest gardens. It blooms from midsummer into fall and attracts pollinators while resisting deer. Its silvery foliage adds brightness to borders and resists wilting. Russian sage is ideal for xeriscaping and requires almost no maintenance. It tolerates wind and thrives in gravelly soil. The plant’s light texture complements bolder companions.
5. Cheerful Coreopsis
Coreopsis brings cheerful yellow flowers to summer borders. It handles poor soil and dry heat easily, and it blooms profusely well into August with minimal care. Some varieties offer red or pink centers for added interest. The delicate, fern-like foliage adds fine texture to beds. Coreopsis is long-blooming and great for cutting gardens. It attracts butterflies and beneficial insects.
6. Spiky Salvia
This pollinator favorite produces spiky blooms that last through summer’s peak. Salvia thrives in full sun and tolerates long periods without water. It’s available in various colors from deep blue to fire red. The plant’s aromatic foliage deters deer and rabbits. It thrives in borders, containers, or rock gardens. Deadheading extends blooming into late summer.
7. Tough Yarrow
Yarrow’s flat-topped blooms and feathery foliage add texture to sunny beds. It’s drought-tolerant, heat-loving, and blooms in various colors well into late summer. Yarrow spreads gradually and is ideal for naturalistic or wildflower-style gardens. Its sturdy stems make it perfect for cut flower arrangements. It tolerates poor soil and attracts beneficial insects. The foliage is aromatic and resists deer browsing.
8. Reliable Daylily
Daylilies offer new blooms daily and require little attention. They love the hot sun and come in countless colors, staying attractive through summer. Each flower lasts just a day, but multiple buds keep the show going. Daylilies are adaptable to most soil types. They are excellent for slopes, borders, and mass plantings. Their grassy foliage stays green long after blooming ends.
9. Resilient Sedum
Sedum stores water in its fleshy leaves and thrives in full sun. Late-blooming varieties like Autumn Joy look fresh even in the August heat. These succulents attract pollinators and blend well with stone or gravel designs. Sedum spreads slowly and stays tidy all season. It's great in borders, rock gardens, and containers.
10. Fragrant Lavender
Lavender’s fragrant purple spikes and silvery foliage hold up beautifully in heat and dry soil. It blooms through summer and repels deer and pests. The flowers can be harvested and dried for culinary or craft use. Lavender thrives in poor, rocky soil with excellent drainage. It creates lovely edging or low hedges. Bees and butterflies can’t resist its scent and color.
11. Drought-Loving Agastache
Agastache, or hyssop, features tall spikes in orange, pink, and purple shades. It’s a heat-tolerant, drought-resistant pollinator magnet. The plant’s minty-scented leaves deter deer and rabbits. It blooms late into the season and thrives in lean soil. Agastache adds height and color to dry borders. Its upright habit and long bloom time make it a garden standout.
12. Delicate Gaura
Gaura’s delicate, butterfly-like blooms float above long stems. It blooms continuously in full sun and handles summer heat with ease. Its airy form adds movement to garden beds. Once established, Gaura is drought-tolerant. It’s perfect for cottage gardens or mixed borders. The plant attracts bees and can rebloom well into fall.
13. Spiky Echinops
Also called globe thistle, Echinops adds a bold, spiky texture to hot gardens. It thrives in dry soil and looks striking into late summer. The metallic-blue flowers are long-lasting and add drama. With its prickly texture, Echinops resists deer and rabbits. It’s a favorite in drought-tolerant designs. The blooms also make excellent additions to dried flower arrangements.
14. Bold Penstemon
Penstemon’s tubular flowers draw hummingbirds and handle heat well. It grows best in sunny spots with well-drained soil. The flowers come in various bold shades, including red, purple, and blue. Penstemon is ideal for rock gardens and native landscapes. Its upright shape adds vertical interest to planting beds. Many varieties are long-blooming and low-maintenance.
15. Fiery Helenium
Helenium, or sneezeweed, bursts into fiery colors in late summer. It’s great for August's interest and holds up on warm, sunny borders. The daisy-like flowers come in oranges, reds, and yellows. It thrives in moist but well-drained soil and full sun. Helenium attracts bees and butterflies while resisting deer. The strong stems make it great for cut flower arrangements.
16. Aromatic Catmint
This tough, sun-loving perennial blooms for months and smells great. Catmint is ideal for borders and resists both deer and drought. The soft, grey-green foliage pairs beautifully with bolder plants. Catmint spreads gently and forms attractive mounds. It thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. Pollinators love its purple-blue flowers.
17. Blooming Verbena
Trailing or upright, verbena blooms nonstop in bright sun. It tolerates heat and looks fresh in containers or flower beds. The blooms come in shades of purple, pink, red, and white. Verbena spreads gently, making it great for borders or hanging baskets. It's a magnet for butterflies and bees. With deadheading, it will flower into fall.
18. Classic Shasta Daisy
With classic white petals and yellow centers, Shasta daisies love the sun. They bloom in August and prefer well-drained soil. The strong stems make them perfect for cut flower arrangements. Shasta daisies are deer-resistant and easy to grow. They pair well with coneflowers and black-eyed Susans. Deadheading encourages more blooms and keeps the plants looking tidy.
19. Summer Phlox
Tall garden phlox adds color and height in midsummer. It handles heat well if given enough moisture and good air circulation. Phlox flowers come in a range of pinks, purples, and whites. They attract butterflies and hummingbirds. Mildew-resistant varieties are available for hot, humid climates. Phlox looks best when grouped in masses in garden beds.
20. Vibrant Bee Balm
Bee balm blooms in bold red, pink, and purple shades. It attracts pollinators and stands up well to summer heat. The plant’s minty foliage repels deer and adds fragrance to the garden. Bee balm thrives in moist, rich soil but tolerates periods of dryness. When paired with phlox and daisies, it creates a cottage garden look. Removing faded flowers encourages a longer bloom period.
21. Bold Eryngium
Also known as sea holly, eryngium features spiky, metallic blue blooms that love the heat. It thrives in dry, sunny conditions and adds a striking sculptural quality to borders. The flowers attract bees and butterflies while resisting deer. Eryngium is drought-tolerant and flourishes in sandy or rocky soils. The blooms are long-lasting and excellent for dried arrangements. This plant is perfect for xeriscaping or bold garden contrasts.
22. Dainty Calylophus
Also known as sundrops, Calylophus is a tough perennial with cheerful yellow blooms that shine in the heat. It thrives in poor, sandy soils and full sun, ideal for drought-prone landscapes. The low, mounding habit makes it great for borders and rock gardens. It blooms from late spring through summer, brightening spaces with little effort. Calylophus is deer-resistant, low-maintenance, and loved by pollinators.
23. Feathered Liatris
Known for its feathery purple spikes, liatris tolerates heat and dry soil. It blooms late into the summer and draws in butterflies. Also known as blazing star, it provides strong vertical interest. Liatris thrives in sandy or rocky soil with good drainage. The blooms open from top to bottom for a unique effect. It works well in prairie gardens and mixed borders.
24. Sunny Heliopsis
Also known as false sunflower, heliopsis looks like its namesake and thrives in summer sun. It reblooms with regular deadheading. Heliopsis has strong stems and vibrant yellow blooms. It performs well in borders, meadows, and pollinator gardens. This long-lived plant returns year after year and attracts butterflies and bees all season.
25. Soft Scabiosa
Scabiosa, or pincushion flower, blooms in soft pastels and thrives in hot, dry conditions. It’s compact and reblooms into late summer. These airy blooms sit atop wiry stems and sway in the breeze. Scabiosa attracts bees and makes excellent cut flowers. The plant thrives in containers and border fronts. It prefers well-drained soil and regular deadheading.
26. Sturdy Hesperaloe
Hesperaloe, often called red yucca, is a desert-native perennial that thrives in scorching heat and drought. It features arching, grass-like leaves and tall flower spikes with tubular red or coral blooms. The flowers attract hummingbirds and add bold vertical structure to dry gardens. Hesperaloe is low-maintenance and highly resistant to deer and pests. It works well in gravel beds, borders, or containers.
27. Fiery Crocosmia
Crocosmia’s arching stems and red-orange blooms add drama to borders. It flourishes in hot sun and blooms into August. The sword-like foliage adds bold texture even when not in bloom. These plants thrive in well-drained soil and are ideal for warm climates. They attract hummingbirds and make excellent cut flowers. Crocosmia spreads gradually, forming stunning clumps over time.
28. Globe Agapanthus
Agapanthus sends up globe-like clusters of blue or white flowers. It thrives in warm climates and blooms through summer. Its thick, strappy leaves remain attractive even when not in bloom. Agapanthus grows well in containers and garden beds. It requires little water once established. The tall flower stalks add height and elegance to sunny borders.
29. Torch-Like Kniphofia
Also called red hot poker, kniphofia’s tall, torch-like blooms add vertical color. It tolerates heat and blooms deep into August. The flowers transition from red to orange to yellow as they age. Kniphofia prefers full sun and well-drained soil. It attracts hummingbirds and stands firm in summer winds. The bold form pairs well with ornamental grasses or yarrow.
30. Vibrant Cuphea
Cuphea, also known as Mexican heather or cigar plant, offers tubular flowers that burst with color through the hottest months. This tough perennial thrives in full sun, tolerates drought, and attracts hummingbirds and bees. Its compact, bushy shape makes it ideal for borders and containers. Cuphea blooms nonstop from late spring through fall. It’s easy to grow, deer-resistant, and low-maintenance.
Stay Cool With Colorful Summer Survivors
These heat-tolerant perennials are built for summer’s toughest days. With vibrant blooms, bold textures, and drought resistance, they add lasting beauty to your garden even through August. Whether you love soft pastels, fiery reds, or pollinator-friendly flowers, there’s something in this list to keep your borders buzzing. Plant once, enjoy for years, and let your garden shine no matter the temperature.