1. Verbena
bonariensis
Verbena bonariensis
are great examples of drought-tolerant plants. They are popular perennials that
have tiny clusters of fragrant, bright purple flowers through summer and well
into autumn. Verbena have rich nectar, so butterflies and bees also love them.
They reach an ultimate height of 1.5m and cope well in well-drained, moderately
fertile soil (chalk, clay, loam or sand) and in a sunny position.
2. Perovskia
Blue Spire
As the name
suggests, this small deciduous sub-shrub produces glorious violet-blue flowers
or ‘spires’ in late summer and autumn, along with aromatic grey leaves. It
grows to an ultimate height of 1.2m and does well in poor, but well-drained
soil (chalk, loam or sand) and in full sun.
3. Sedums
These succulent perennials are a great nectar source for
pollinating insects and flower from late summer into autumn.
They prefer a sunny position and well drained soil
4. Salvia
Hot Lips
Salvia as a genus
are all drought resistant. ‘Hot Lips’ is a striking variety, which produce
masses of red and white flowers from July to October. If you touch the leaves,
they smell delicious! It is much loved by bees and butterflies and is easy to
grow.
It does well in
ordinary, well-drained soil (chalk, loam or sand) and in the sun; though make
sure you shelter it from cold winds. It will reach an ultimate height of 1m.
5. Lavender
All lavenders are
tolerant to drought. It is a low maintenance shrub and flowers in late
spring and summer (July to August). Butterflies and bees love it, and its
greyish green, evergreen foliage is also beautifully fragrant. Heights vary
from 60cm up to 1.2m
6. Cabbage palm –
Cordyline australis
Cordyline
austrlias, or cabbage tree or cabbage palm, are all drought tolerant. They look
good all year round and are great for coastal gardens and in large pots or
borders. They are an architectural plant with green leaves and, in hot summers,
will sometimes produce small, very scented flowers (July to August).
Plant in
well-drained, fertile, and in a sunny, or partially shaded, position. Make sure
they are sheltered from cold winds.
7. Erigeron
'Profusion' This pretty Mexican fleabane has a mass of pink and white flowers
which looks fantastic tumbling over walls, in pots or at the front of your
borders. It flowers from May until the first frosts in the autumn.
8. Sempervivum
The Limestone
houseleek is a very easy-to-manage evergreen plant, which has spirals of
geometric pointed blue-green evergreen leaves with red tips. Spikes of pink
flowers appear in June to August. It is drought-tolerant and also tolerates
being neglected, so good for the low-maintenance gardener. It is great in pots,
rock gardens, gravel gardens and crevices in walls.
9. Cistus -
Rockrose
Rock roses
are a compact evergreen shrub which have papery flowers during
the summer It comes from the eastern Mediterranean, and is suitable
for coastal gardens and well-drained soils (chalk, loam or sand). Make sure you
plant it in full sun and sheltered from cold winds.
10. Abelia
grandiflora
This small,
colourful evergreen shrub comes in a range of colours and are
scented. It is a great shrub for year-round interest. During mid-summer
to autumn (August to October) it also has scented pink and white flowers.
Please
note that all of the above plants will need frequent watering if you are
growing them in pots or throughout their 1st year if planted in the
ground whilst they get established
