Drought-resistant gardening

Before choosing plants that can cope with dry conditions, you’ll need to work out the other key factors that help them thrive. Take a look at the area you are about to plant and assess:

1.  Shade levels – work out how much shade a border receives. The more sun, the wider the choice of plants. If the area you need to plant is shady and dry, see our advice pages on shade planting and plants for under trees for lists of suitable plants.

2.  Soil type – this will determine how water is held in the soil. Use our guide to soil types to discover what kind of soil you have. 

• Sandy soils – drain quickly all year, so can support a wide range of plants
• Chalky soils – similar to sandy soils in terms of drainage; many sun-loving drought-tolerant plants do well
• Clay soils – heavy and take time to improve. Add organic matter over several years to make planting sites hospitable

3.  Microclimates – even within your garden, conditions vary. Some areas can be particularly windy, exposed or hot (reflected heat from paving for example). See our advice page on assessing your garden.

Cyclamen hederifolium grows well under large trees in dry soil with some shade

If your soil tends to be dry in summer and wet in winter, choose plants that can grow in this mix of conditions.

An advice page on drought-resistant plants lists trees, shrubs, climbers, perennials and annuals

Annuals are plants that complete their life cycle in one growing season. They are generally easy to grow from seed or can be bought as young plants from garden centres. Annuals are ideal for growing in summer containers and filling gaps in borders. Some examples of annuals include sunflowers, cosmos, sweet peas and zinnia.

that can tolerate dry conditions in borders or containers. We have put together a planting plan for drought-prone conditions.

In addition to Mediterranean-style plants that resist drought, some of the most resilient plants come from a range of areas including central Asia and the Himalayas. Others are native

A native plant is one that originated or arrived naturally in a particular place without human involvement. In the British Isles, native plants are those that were here during the last ice age or have arrived unaided since.

or cultivars of plants native to the UK. 

Regardless of soil type:

• Trees, shrubs and perennials –  if chosen for their suitability to the conditions in your garden, they will not need water during summer
• Lawns – established lawns rarely need watering. Even if they turn completely brown in summer, once it rains, they will green up again
• Lawn alternatives – such as clover, thyme and wildflowers reduce or eliminate the need for watering and improve biodiversity
  

  The variety of living organisms (plants, animals, fungi and microorganisms) in a particular environment. Boosting the biodiversity of your garden has many benefits, including supporting wildlife, improving soil health and reducing the likelihood of pest and disease problems.

  . Consider tapestry lawns that use low-growing non-grass species 

Garden designers and horticulturists recommend their favourite drought-tolerant plants

• Plan for planting in March as the soil is warming up, or in September when the soil is still warm and there is time for plenty of root growth before winter
• Plant Mediterranean-style, silver-leaved plants and warm season grasses in March to establish them in warmer weather
• Plant small – buy perennials in 9cm pots, and small trees and shrubs if possible. Young plants will establish more quickly
• Mix in organic matter such as homemade compost
  

  Can refer to either home-made garden compost or seed/potting compost:

  
  • Garden compost is a soil improver made from decomposed plant waste, usually in a compost bin or heap. It is added to soil to improve its fertility, structure and water-holding capacity. Seed or potting composts are used for growing seedlings or plants in containers - a wide range of commercially produced peat-free composts are available, made from a mix of various ingredients, such as loam, composted bark, coir and sand, although you can mix your own.

  to improve water-holding capacity and drainage, whether you have a well-drained sandy soil or a clay soil
• Avoid fertilisers – they encourage lush, soft growth that is susceptible to drying out
• Before planting, soak plants well in their pots in a bucket of water until the bubbles stop rising to the surface

To withstand drought in the future, start by watering the soil well after planting. Ensure that you water down to the root zone. This encourages strong root development. 

Water newly planted trees, shrubs and perennials regularly. This particularly applies in the first year, or longer depending on size at planting, even if they are described as drought tolerant. Large tree specimens may need watering for up to three years after planting.

New lawns, whether seeded or turfed, require consistent watering until established.

Apply a layer of mulch

Mulch is a layer of material, at least 5cm (2in) thick, applied to the soil surface in late autumn to late winter (Nov-Feb). It is used to provide frost protection, improve plant growth by adding nutrients or increasing organic matter content, reducing water loss from the soil, for decorative purposes and suppressing weeds. Examples include well-rotted garden compost and manure, chipped bark, gravel, grit and slate chippings.

after planting. Mulching with organic matter, such as home-made garden compost

Can refer to either home-made garden compost or seed/potting compost:

• Garden compost is a soil improver made from decomposed plant waste, usually in a compost bin or heap. It is added to soil to improve its fertility, structure and water-holding capacity. Seed or potting composts are used for growing seedlings or plants in containers - a wide range of commercially produced peat-free composts are available, made from a mix of various ingredients, such as loam, composted bark, coir and sand, although you can mix your own.

, improves soil structure, helps retain moisture, adds nutrients

To grow well, plants need a wide range of nutrients in various amounts, depending on the individual plant and its stage of growth. The three key nutrients usually taken up from the soil are nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Plants also need carbon, oxygen and hydrogen to make carbohydrates — their main energy source. Carbon and oxygen come from the air as carbon dioxide, while hydrogen is drawn from water absorbed by the roots. Other important soil nutrients include magnesium, calcium and sulphur. Most garden soils contain enough of these nutrients to support healthy plant growth.

and suppresses weeds. For Mediterranean-style plants, consider using 5-7.5cm (2-3in) of gravel as the mulch, or making a gravel garden.

The dry garden at RHS Garden Hyde Hall is mulched with gravel and stones

 
Further reading:

Filipi, O. (2016). Planting Design for Dry Gardens: Beautiful, Resilient Groundcovers for Terraces, Paved Areas, Gravel and Other Alternatives to the Lawn. Filbert Press

Chatto, B. (2000). Drought-Resistant Planting Through the Year: Beth Chatto’s Gravel Garden. Frances Lincoln.