Anyone with petunias and hydrangeas in UK gardens urged to act before Friday

The UK has only just come through an intense heatwave, but forecasters are already warning that another spell of very hot weather is on the way. While it is not expected to be quite as extreme as the last one, temperatures are still forecast to climb above 30C in some parts of the country over the coming days.

Many areas could see highs in the upper 20Cs on Friday, with the weekend expected to be even hotter. Some forecasts also suggest temperatures could reach 33C in parts of the UK at the start of next week. The hot weather may be welcome news for many people, but it can be much harder on plants.

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Some of the most popular flowers and shrubs found in UK gardens can quickly begin to struggle once temperatures start rising.

That's why gardeners are being urged to get one simple job done before Friday.

According to gardening advice from organisations including the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) and the National Trust, vulnerable potted plants should be moved into sheltered shade before the hottest weather arrives.

Plants such as petunias, hydrangeas, ferns, hostas, fuchsias and other bedding plants are among those most at risk during periods of extreme heat, particularly when they are growing in pots or hanging baskets.

While many of them cope well with warm summer weather, experts say prolonged temperatures above 30C can be a very different story.

One of the biggest problems is that pots heat up much faster than the ground. As the compost becomes hotter, plant roots can struggle to absorb enough water, even when the soil still feels damp.

That means leaves and flowers can begin drying out far quicker than the plant can replace the lost moisture.

Hydrangeas and ferns are especially vulnerable because they naturally grow best in damp conditions.

Their large leaves lose water rapidly during very hot weather, which can leave them scorched, wilted or brown in just a few hours of strong sunshine.

Petunias can also suffer once temperatures become extreme.

Although they enjoy sunny weather, experts say containers and hanging baskets can quickly overheat during a heatwave, putting the roots under stress and increasing the risk of permanent damage.

Moving vulnerable plants into a spot that stays shaded during the hottest part of the day, or bringing smaller pots indoors temporarily, helps keep both the leaves and the roots much cooler until temperatures begin to fall again.

Experts also recommend keeping plants well watered, but say it's best to do this early in the morning or later in the evening rather than during the hottest part of the day, when much of the moisture can quickly evaporate.

For more gardening tips during a heatwave, click here.