5 drought-tolerant flowering plants that are quietly…

5 drought-tolerant flowering plants that are quietly replacing hydrangeas in 2026 – they’ll make your garden look gorgeous even during a heatwave

Close up of pale pink hydrangeas and ferns.

Hydrangeas are a beautiful addition to any garden. Fact. But they are thirsty shrubs, and with rumours of even Wimbledon swapping out hydrangeas for more drought-tolerant plants as extreme heat becomes more common, garden experts have revealed five drought-tolerant plants you can swap hydrangeas for - that still offer a stunning and showy display.

Now I’m not saying you should stop growing hydrangeas. In fact, if you have a damp garden with moist clay soil, hydrangeas are among the best flowering shrubs you can plant. However, as summers become increasingly warmer, more gardeners are looking to heat-proof their gardens.

To create a garden that can withstand extremely hot weather, drought-tolerant planting is a must. Here are five gorgeous, drought-tolerant flowering plants that you can swap hydrangeas for.

1. Viburnum

(Image credit: Getty Images/Photos by R A Kearton)

Viburnum is the stunning flowering shrub that has been quietly replacing hydrangeas for a while now. Varieties such as Viburnum Opulus (£34.99, Thompson & Morgan) look very similar to mophead hydrangeas, but once established, are far more hardy.

‘Viburnums have large spheres of flowers that can look similar to hydrangeas. If you are growing an evergreen variety, they are usually drought-tolerant and does not need additional watering once they have established. They are better at surviving through hot summers or dry spells, as these conditions can make hydrangeas drop their buds,’ says Richard Barker, horticultural expert and commercial director of LBS Horticulture.

Where to buy viburnums

2. Agapanthus

(Image credit: Getty Images/Katrin Ray Shumakov)

One reason why we love hydrangeas is their huge, flowering heads. If you want a similar dramatic look, a well-placed agapanthus can have a similar effect. Not to mention, it’s also one of the best plants for a Mediterranean garden.

‘Agapanthus is another plant that is popular for garden displays. This hardy herbaceous plant, also commonly known as the African lily, thrives in dry conditions and produces striking flowers in shades of rich purple throughout summer,’ says Paul Parker, gardening expert at plant and perennial specialists, J. Parker's.

‘One of my favourite varieties is Agapanthus 'Melbourne', a bi-colour variety with distinctive lilac stripes running through its white flowers.’

Where to buy agapanthus

3. Sedums

(Image credit: Future PLC/Camilla Reynolds)

With thick, fleshy leaves and stunning star-shaped flowers, it’s easy to see why gardeners are choosing to grow sedums. Not only are they a drought-tolerant plant, but they are brilliant for attracting pollinators and other wildlife to your garden, too.

‘Sedum produces large, flat-topped clusters of pink flowers that bloom late in summer. Established sedum plants are drought-tolerant and rarely need watering unless there is a prolonged period of dry weather, as they store water in their leaves. It also thrives in full, direct sunlight, which would usually scorch hydrangeas,’ says Richard.

Where to buy sedums

4. Euphorbia

(Image credit: Getty Images/ Alex Manders)

A bedding plant that slugs hate, euphorbia, is another classic choice for Mediterranean gardens and one that will add height and structure to your outdoor space.

‘Euphorbia is a great addition to any garden thanks to being both low-maintenance and drought-resilient. There are many different types of Euphorbia within the genus, so selecting the right variety is key,’ says Paul.

‘I recommend Euphorbia 'Bonfire', a popular spring perennial with yellow flowers and colourful foliage that changes from green and purple to burgundy in summer before turning a fiery red in late summer, hence its name.’

Where to buy euphorbia

5. Escallonia

Escallonia is a fast-growing shrub that thrives on neglect, making it a great choice if you don’t have hours of spare time to spend tending your garden. Plus, this minimal effort will be rewarded with clusters of beautiful pink and white flowers.

‘Escallonia is an evergreen shrub that will produce clusters of pink, red or white flowers in summer. The plants will need to be watered regularly while establishing, but after this, they are highly drought-tolerant and can handle dry spells well,’ says Richard.

Where to buy escallonia

While hydrangeas will always have a special place in my heart, and I’m sure yours as well, these drought-tolerant alternatives are an excellent choice if hydrangeas are struggling to thrive in your garden.

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