As summer continues, it can be hard to find flowering plants that thrive during hot, sunny days. The trick is to find plants native to tropical areas that don’t mind the heat, and have fairly low water requirements once established.

One of our favorites is the Bambino Bouganvilla, a smaller version of the full size bouganvillas, but with just as much color. They only grow between three and five feet, making them much easier to use in containers or in more restricted spaces. Like regular bouganvillas, they love full sun, bloom almost all year, and have very low water requirements once they are established.

Plants in the Mandevilla family also provide color all year, and are very tolerant of the hot weather. A climbing mandevilla vine or bushy dipladenia will have large red, pink or white flowers, as well as glossy green foliage. The more sun the better, and with proper watering they will survive a heat wave beautifully.

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