Drought tolerant plants.
In our unpredictable summers, it pays to include some drought-tolerant plants in our borders and pots – even if we don’t have a drought, they mean that you’ll have to do less watering. Find out how to save water in the garden so that you can cope with a drought or hosepipe ban.
Drought-resistant plants are naturally adapted for dry conditions, but it’s very important to water plants in well initially, to help them establish a good root system. Be sure not to over fertilise them.
Drainage is very important, so if you have heavy clay soil, consider building a raised bed in order to give plants the right conditions – it only needs to be 15cm (6in) high. They’re generally sun-loving plants – if planted in shade, they may flower less or lose their silver leaves.
Here are some beautiful drought-tolerant plants you can grow.
Drought-resistant plants are naturally adapted for dry conditions, but it’s very important to water plants in well initially, to help them establish a good root system. Be sure not to over fertilise them.
Drainage is very important, so if you have heavy clay soil, consider building a raised bed in order to give plants the right conditions – it only needs to be 15cm (6in) high. They’re generally sun-loving plants – if planted in shade, they may flower less or lose their silver leaves.
Here are some beautiful drought-tolerant plants you can grow.
Agapanthus ‘Silver Baby’
This compact agapanthus reaches about 60cm tall, so is ideal for the front of the border or a pot. It has white flowers that have just a hint of blue and combines well with ornamental grasses such as Nassella tenuissima. It’s a hardy, deciduous variety. |
Anchusa azurea
A short-lived perennial, Anchusa azurea has bright, true blue flowers from late spring to early summer. Cut back after flowering for a second flush of smaller blooms. It loves a well-drained but moisture-retentive soil in full sun. |
Cotyledon orbiculata
A stunning, unusual succulent, Cotyledon orbiculata has large, fleshy leaves and spikes of bell-shaped flowers. It’s best grown in a pot as it will need winter protection in colder parts of the UK. Take care not to touch the leaves as they will lose their powdery bloom. |
Geums
Geums are hardy perennials that flower from May to August – cut them back after flowering and they should reward you with another flush later in the season. Geums look especially good with blue flowers and lime greens. Grow in sun or part shade. |
Hardy geraniums are low-maintenance, long-flowering perennials that can flower for months from spring, and need very little care. They thrive in sun or partial shade and are good for the front of the border. Cut back after flowering to encourage a second flush.
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Stipa tenuissima
Stipa tenuissima (or Mexican feathergrass, now often sold as Nassella tenuissima) is a compact, evergreen grass is ideal for a gravel garden or a spot towards the front of a border. It combines well with perennials and other grasses, and moves beautifully in a breeze. |
NepetaThe violet blue flowers of catmint (Nepeta) are much loved by bees. When crushed, the grey-green, velvety foliage produces an aromatic scent. Plant in the centre of a border or in a gravel garden. Cut back after flowering for more blooms.
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Pittosporum
Pittosporums are evergreen shrubs that will give structure and interest all year round in a border. Position pittosporums away from cold, drying winds. Prune lightly in spring if needed. Pittosporum tenuifolium ‘Tom Thumb’, shown here, has attractive dark foliage. |
Trachelospermum jasminoides
This beautiful, waxy-leafed, evergreen climber has white, jasmine-like flowers that are beautifully scented. Give star jasmine a sheltered, sunny spot. It’s drought tolerant, but be sure to water well initially to help the plant establish. |
Sea hollies
Beautiful and long-lasting, sea hollies such as Erygnium x zabelii have tough, silvery leaves that never suffer in drought. Many species come from mountainous regions, where their long tap roots venture deep into the soil in search of water. |
Verbascums
This statuesque mullein, Verbascum bombyciferum, sends up tall branching spires of yellow flowers, enclosed in woolly down. Rosettes of large furry leaves resist water loss and are soft to the touch. |
Artemisia Artemisias such as ‘Powis Castle’ and ‘Silver Queen’ use two strategies against water loss – its leaves are both silvery and very finely cut. It forms a resilient, aromatic woody sub-shrub that adds a feathery dash of silver to borders. |
Sedums
Sedums are drought-resistant succulents that produce domes of starry pink, ruby or white flowers in late summer and autumn. Taller sedums may flop, but ‘Matrona’, shown here, stands well, with the glaucous foliage turning a rich purple when water is scarce. |
Bearded irises Give bearded irises a sunny spot and when planting, point the rhizome south so that the fan of leaves don’t shade it. Split the plant every three to four years after flowering, as it will bulk up quickly. Here are 9 bearded irises that look superb. |
Iris ‘Art Déco’ is a tall bearded plicata iris with dark violet standards. The white falls have a dark blue-violet ‘stitching’ effect around the edges of each petal. Very early flowering, from mid-April to late May. Height 85cms.
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Iris ‘Butterscotch Kiss’ is a tall, bearded iris with slightly ruffled petals. The standards, falls and beards making up the flowers are all in the same shade of caramel-yellow. Mid-season flowering, from May to June, height 90cm.
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Iris ‘Dancer’s Veil’ is another tall, bearded plicata iris, with ruffled petals. The standards are pale violet flushed with white, while the falls are pure white with narrow, pale-violet edges. Mid-season flowering, from May to June, height 80cm.
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An intermediate bearded iris, Iris ‘Minted Gold’ is suitable for planting on slopes or in windy areas. The standard and fall petals are bright gold in colour, with orange-gold beards. Mid- to late-season flowering, from May to June, height 60cm.
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An intermediate bearded iris, Iris ‘Orageux’ bears striking, copper-coloured standards and deep red falls. The shorter stem makes it useful for slopes or in windy areas. Early- to mid-season flowering, during May, height 50cm.
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Iris ‘Pink Pele’ has peach-coloured petals. Each fall is blushed with contrasting purple and has a vibrant, coral-red beard. Mid- to late-season flowering, from May to June, and grows to approximately 60cm.
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A tall bearded iris with smooth petals, Iris ‘Rajah’ has bright yellow standards, contrasting with the rich, bronze-purple falls, each of which have a fine gold edge. Mid- to late-season flowering, from May to June, and grows to approximately 75cm.
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A short bearded iris, Iris ‘Raspberry Blush’ is useful for growing in exposed areas or on slopes. Dusky, pale pink standards, and the falls have a pale purple blush and bright orange beard. Mid- to late-season flowering, from May to June, height 40cm.
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Iris ‘Red Zinger: wine-coloured petals with golden throat and beard
An intermediate bearded iris, Iris ‘Red Zinger’ produces deep, red wine-coloured, large flowers. The the falls are slighter darker than the standards, the throat and beard are both gold. Mid- to late-season flowering, from May to June, height 65cm. |
