Drought-tolerant plants for UK gravel gardens, dry borders and sunny patios. Hardy agaves, silver-leaved grasses and Mediterranean-style perennials that thrive on neglect and look better with less water, not more.
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Hot, dry, free-draining spots used to be a problem. Now they are a chance to grow some of the most striking, low-maintenance plants there are. This collection brings together drought-tolerant plants, from sculptural agaves and succulents to airy grasses, that thrive on sun and neglect and ask for very little water once established.
A baking, south-facing patio or balcony is exactly where drought-tolerant plants shine. In pots they cope with the sharp drainage and the odd missed watering far better than thirsty plants, which makes them ideal for busy city gardeners and anyone who forgets the watering can. A single agave in a good pot is a ready-made sculpture.
In the ground, these plants are the stars of a gravel garden or a hot, dry border. Plant into very free-draining soil, mulch with gravel to keep the necks dry, and combine grasses with succulents for a relaxed, low-water scheme that looks good all summer with minimal effort.
The one rule with drought-tolerant plants is drainage. Most cope with surprising cold as long as they are not sitting wet, so grit up heavy soil, raise pots in winter, and water sparingly. Overwatering, not underwatering, is the usual cause of problems.
