A spell of hot weather soon reveals which plants are happy in the sunshine and which would rather be somewhere cooler. While some struggle, others seem to burst into life.

If you’re planning a summer refresh, these seven plants cope well with full sun and dry conditions, bringing colour to borders and containers with very little effort.

Lavender

Lavender has been a favourite in UK gardens for years. It enjoys hot, dry conditions and fills the air with fragrance through the summer. Bees love it too.

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Salvia

Salvias produce tall spikes of flowers in shades of purple, blue, pink and red. They flower for weeks and cope well when rainfall is scarce.

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Verbena Bonariensis

Tall, slender stems topped with clusters of purple flowers add height without making borders feel crowded. It’s one of the easiest plants to grow in a sunny spot.

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Echinacea

Also known as the coneflower, Echinacea produces bold blooms throughout summer and into early autumn. It copes well with dry conditions and attracts bees and butterflies.

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Nepeta

Nepeta, or catmint, is perfect for edging paths and filling gaps in borders. It forms neat mounds of blue-purple flowers and often flowers again after a light trim.

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Sedum

Sedums are almost made for heatwaves. Their thick leaves store water, allowing them to thrive when many other plants begin to wilt. They’re equally at home in pots, borders or gravel gardens. Our top tip: Buy as a rootball and let the pretty flowers spread out over a rockery.

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Agapanthus

Large globe-shaped flowers held above elegant green leaves make Agapanthus a real showstopper. Plant it somewhere sunny with well-drained soil and it will reward you every summer.

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Choosing plants that naturally enjoy sunshine makes summer gardening much easier. You’ll spend less time watering and more time enjoying the garden. Many of these varieties also provide an important source of nectar for bees and butterflies, making them a great choice for wildlife as well as your borders.