Vibrant £5 plant flourishes in dry conditions and even has a second bloom – now is the time to add it to your garden
With the summer arriving, the high temperatures will leave many Brits in high spirits.
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And if you want your garden to look its best as you soak up the sun or enjoy a barbecue with family, you might want a flower that will bloom even in drought.
Even with plenty of water, many flowers will droop and wither in hot weather.
But if you want your garden to remain blooming despite the heat, Suttons has the ideal, affordable answer.
The retailer sells vibrant blue Anchusa azurea 'Dropmore' for only £5 per potted plant.
The beautiful and bright flowers are in bloom from late spring to early summer.
Azurea deals well with the dry conditions, which makes it the perfect choice for hot weather.
The rich blue colour adds vibrancy to your garden, and complements other flowers.
But Azurea isn't only ideal for a garden or a bouquet, but it can also be added to food.
These edible flowers can be used in ice cubes as a stunning decoration and a final touch to a summery cocktail or a refreshing lemonade.
The blue petals could also elevate your dishes or salads from a homemade to a restaurant level.
'Big weekend' - Peter O'Mahony embarking on hectic gardening project as he aims to add '300 plants'
You could trim it back after flowering for a second flush of smaller blooms.
Anchusa azurea is a short-lived perennial that will easily self-seed in the areas of the garden that are most suitable for it.
Meanwhile, Aldi has launched a £4.99 French Lavender plant, which can withstand drought and is set to arrive in stores on Thursday, June 19.
Other examples of flowers that bloom even during droughts are geraniums, daisies and coneflowers.
The bargain superstore is also stocking large perennials for just £4.99, and Hibiscus plants for only £6.99, which will add colour and height to any patio or garden display.
Lidl customers can add a "whimsical" touch to their flowerbeds for just £3.
And for those looking for flowers that bloom all year round, Ikea s selling trays of 10 pansies for just £3.50 - that's 35p a plant!
Pansies start petite in size but can spread, so they make the perfect plant to add to your garden borders, pots and hanging baskets.
8 must-have plants to brighten up your garden
Nick Hamilton owner of Barnsdale Gardens has shared his favourite plants and flowers you should consider adding to your garden, borders and pots.
Tricyrtis
A spectacular plant that gives a real exotic feel to any garden with its orchid-like, spotted flowers giving the impression that this plant should be tender but it is 'as tough as old boots!'.
Penstemon
I love this plants genus of because most will flower all summer and autumn. They'll grow in sun or semi-shade in a well drained soil and produce a non-stop display of tubular flowers in an array of colours and colour combination to suit all tastes.
Luzula sylvatica 'Marginata'
With the evergreen leaves edged with yellow it's great asset is that it
will grow in sun or shade in any type of soil and is great as groundcover in the hardest spot to fill - dry shade.
Eryngium x zabelii 'Big Blue'
A stunning, nectar-rich plant that will feed the beneficial insects in your
garden. Leave the flowerheads once they have turned brown because they look stunning with winter frost and snow, extending the plant's interest period.
Sarcococca hookeriana 'Winter Gem'
If you need winter scent then look no further than this compact, evergreen shrub. The scent is stunning and the evergreen leaves create an excellent backdrop for the summer flowers.
Cornus sanguinea 'Anny's Winter Orange'
A dwarf version of 'Midwinter Fire' the very colourful stems create a stunning winter display, particularly on sunny days.
Rosa 'Noisette Carnee'
A very well-behaved climbing rose that is perfect for training over an arch, pergola or gazebo. The small, 'noisette' flowers are blush-pink and produce the most amazing clove scent constantly from June to November.
Sanguisorba hakusanensis 'Lilac Squirrel'
I've never seen a squirrel with a drooping, shaggy lilac tail, but this variety will give your garden an unusual and different look throughout summer. It does need a moisture retentive soil but will grow in sun or semi-shade.
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