The plant that first springs to mind for being as tough as old boots in the summer heat is the agapanthus for I cannot recall seeing a stressed or dead plant such is its resilience.

In the past agapanthus have had a reputation for being weedy plants, but plant breeders have made great developments recently, breeding non-invasive and sterile varieties with Black Pantha, Baby Periwinkle, Peter Pan and the dwarf white in Snow Storm the standouts.

These South African natives with dark green strap-like foliage and blue or white flower heads on tall stems have large fibrous root systems that make them ideal for dry positions and, in particular, as erosion control plants to help stabilise sloping banks.

Another native of South Africa and a plant which should be grown more for its long flowering period and which is not particularly fussy about soil conditions is the virtually indestructible dietes, a relative of the iris family.

This clump-forming perennial with pretty flowers in shades of white, yellow and mauve on tall, wiry stems produces an abundance of flowers for months during the summer.

There is no need to stress the hardiness of the gazanias which stand up and embrace the hottest days to provide a carpet of bright colourful flowers that just keep on producing.

Another bonus is that they tolerate salt spray so are great for coastal gardens.

Another low groundcovering plant covered in daisy-like flowers is the grey-leaved Arctotis which will grow practically anywhere as dry stony areas are its preferred natural habitat.

Kniphofias, the red hot pokers, are grown for their showy bottlebrush-like orange, yellow, green, white or red flowers on top of elevated stems.

When the red variety is planted with the blue flowered agapanthus they complement each other beautifully.

Eryngium, the sea holly and Echinops, the globe thistle are two striking perennials that get by without much attention in summer.

Eryngium has eye-catching thistle-like silver or blue flower heads adorned with a ruff of showy bracts will take quite dry conditions providing it gets some shade during the hottest part of the day.

In the same colouring Echinops has spiny leaves in silver/grey and violet, golf ball-sized, spiky spherical flower heads.

Anigozanthus the kangaroo paws, and Dianella tasmanica, the flax lily, are Australian natives capable of some dry conditions.

Anigozanthus have velvety claw-like flowers on strong stems in red, green, black or yellow and make an appealing picture when planted as a group.

Dianella tasmanica prefers dry shade but will tolerate dry periods in summer. It bears long sprays of small blue flowers followed by turquoise blue berries.

Although these two plants are hardy and tolerant of dry conditions don't expect them to give their best without good soil preparation and feeding.

The further down they can get their roots into the soil the drier the conditions they can cope with.

A colourful succulent that flowers and grows with ease in the most inhospitable places is Mesembryanthemum or pig face.

The red, pink and white valerians, Centranthus varieties, revel in hot, dry places and don't mind chalky soils, in fact, are often seen growing in old walls where they proudly show off their survival skills with a continuous display of pretty star-like flowers.

Some other trouble-free summer bloomers that never cease to dazzle us during these tough times include calibrachoas, portulacas, zinnias and coreopsis.

The most important rule for plant survival is to choose plants for the season and conditions for which they are best suited.