Plants for Dry & Gravel Gardens


Drought-tolerant plants for sunny, free-draining and gravel gardens that cope with very little water.

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    Frequently Asked Questions

    Agaves, succulents and many ornamental grasses are among the most drought-tolerant, thriving in sun and free-draining soil with little water. This collection gathers hardy, low-water plants that suit dry borders, gravel gardens and hot pots.

    Drought-tolerant plants are perfect for a baking balcony or patio, coping with sharp drainage and the odd missed watering. Agaves, succulents and grasses in free-draining pots give a bold, Mediterranean look with very little fuss.

    Far less than most plants. Water well while they establish, then only in prolonged dry spells in the ground. In pots, water when the compost has dried out and keep them on the dry side, especially over winter.

    Very free-draining soil is essential. Dig plenty of grit into heavy ground and add a gravel mulch, or use a gritty, open compost in pots. Good drainage lets these plants take cold and dry spells in their stride.

    Many are surprisingly hardy, coping with frost as long as they stay dry, while a few are more tender. Wet is more dangerous than cold, so sharp drainage is key, and each plant is labelled with its hardiness.

    Plants that cope with little water

    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.

    Perfect for hot patios, sunny balconies and pots

    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.

    Gravel gardens and dry borders

    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.

    Drainage is everything

    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.