Drought Resistant Plants

We’ve had an unpredictable summer in the UK regarding the weather; one week it’s too hot to move, and the next is followed by cold, rainy spells and then hot again!

It can be challenging to determine the right course of action to maintain a thriving and blooming garden, as no day is the same. Most plants require regular watering during their initial growth stages, but once established, there is a beautiful range of plants that can thrive in your garden all summer long with minimal upkeep. Now that summer is coming to a close, here is my list of the top drought-resistant plants you can plant to thrive in your garden next summer.

Lavender generally doesn’t need watering unless there is a prolonged period without rain; however, if planted in a pot, it will require more watering. Lavender is a hardy plant in the UK and can survive on low nutrient soil, meaning it doesn’t really need feeding. This plant is not just for looking at; they have a strong smell and can be cut, dried, and hung up inside as a natural fragrance.

Similar to lavender, rosemary is a diverse fragrant plant to have in your garden, serving multiple purposes. It can be used in recipes to add flavour as well as provide nectar for bees. Rosemary thrives when planted in a location that receives 6+ hours of direct sunlight daily, to maintain them, only water once the soil is dry and only fertilise at the beginning of the season.

Ornamental grass such as Stipa Tenuissima, otherwise known as Mexican Feathergrass,  is a fluffy-looking tall grass plant that thrives in a full sun location with well drained soil. It is typically pest free and can withstand dry periods, only needing to be watered during longer spells. Mexican Feathergrass requires minimal fertilizing and fairly frequent pruning.

If you are looking for something more colourful, aster flowers are a great choice! These plants bloom in purple, blue, pink, yellow and white. They thrive in daily direct sunlight or areas of partial shade, they can survive in dry periods, but will require watering during longer dry spells and in their first year of establishing. Like most plants, if asters are kept in pots, they will naturally require more regular watering.