WILKO is selling a £3.99 flower that will bloom even during a drought, and attracts wildlife to your garden too.
With temperatures set to reach 31C again in the coming days, and a new hosepipe ban announced for parts of the UK, you may have noticed that your garden plants are suffering.
Wilko’s Verbena will bloom until October[/caption]
Hot weather can cause flowers to wilt and wither, even if you give them plenty of water to drink.
However, if you are looking for a hardy plant that will bloom in the driest of conditions, Wilko has a purse friendly solution.
The Verbena Festival Colours is a stunning flower, that will instantly add a splash of colour to your garden, with its purple red and white blooms.
The 30cm high plant can be placed in containers and borders and will attract an abundance of beautiful butterflies to your outdoor space.
Plus, the flower will bloom until October, turning your garden into a serene oasis all summer long.
Wilko said: “Beautiful and bright, the Verbena Festival Colours will surely delight any gardener.
“This plant yields a festival of bright, multi-coloured blooms that stand out in any setting.
“Ideal for containers and borders, it is known for attracting butterflies to make any outdoor area more appealing.“
Verbena plants thrive without much water as they have deep root systems, that can access water from lower soil levels.
They also have small leaves, which reduces water loss through transpiration, with some species even having water storing stems.
Verbena’s need six to eight hours of sunlight a day, so make sure to choose a location that is sunny and sheltered from the wind.
Make sure to water it regularly, and deadhead flowers to encourage more blooms.
More drought resistant plants
Lavender is another plant that is able to withstand extreme heat and dry conditions.
According to Hedge Express, lavender plants are able to develop deep root systems which allows them to access water from deeper soil levels.
How to encourage wildlife into your garden
THE Woodland Trust shared five top tips
1. Grow wild
Let nature take its course to create a more attractive environment for all things wild. You don’t have to leave your plot to develop into a small jungle – wildlife will thank you for just a small corner, border or planter.
2. Plant trees and shrubs
Research has shown that gardens are more attractive to wildlife if they have trees. And those trees can bring a host of other benefits too, from reducing noise and flooding to fighting climate change.
3. Create homes
If you want to attract a particular species, a ready-made home can look especially appealing to any wildlife passing through.
4. Offer a water source
Water is crucial for wildlife. Making some available in your garden could be a lifeline, especially in extreme weather.
5. Serve an extra meal
One of the best ways to persuade a plethora of wildlife to your patch is to give them access to an easy meal.
This means that they are able to access water that other plants can’t, making them better able to withstand drought than other species.
Lavender plants are also able to store water in their stems and leaves, and their leaves are covered in fine hairs, that help to reduce moisture loss.
You can pick up a lavender plant from Tesco for £5.
Rosemary is another plant that can tolerate drought as it is native to arid environments, and needs little water.
You can pick up a rosemary plant from Wilko for just £2.99.
