As the UK experiences warmer summers, a gardener has recommended incorporating drought-tolerant plants into gardens to maintain beauty while conserving water.
Expert Advice on Drought-Tolerant Gardening
Gardening expert and author Sarah Raven suggests introducing plants that have adapted to warm climates and can withstand heat and limited water supply. She said: "There are many ways that we can ensure we are being considerate of the environment whilst also maintaining the beauty, colour, and joy of our outside havens...One of the simplest things you can do is to introduce drought-tolerant plants to keep your garden looking lively and vibrant without the need for excessive watering."
Lavandula 'Hidcote'
Sarah said: "The most floriferous of the compact lavenders, Lavandula 'Hidcote' has beautiful purple-blue flowers and is rich in pollen and nectar, so it is absolutely loved by bees and butterflies." To suit its original climate of the Mediterranean, Lavandula is both heat and drought-tolerant. The flowers are edible and can be used to add flavour to cocktails, syrups, sorbets and salads. Gardeners need only trim back the spikes in autumn, though not into the woody stem, for a healthy plant.
Pelargonium
Pelargoniums produce lovely pink blooms, which appear striking in containers or borders. They aren't overly thirsty, though it's essential to maintain watering. Sarah continued: "You should water and feed the plants well in the summer and deadhead to encourage a second flush of flowers."
Eryngium 'Picos Blue'
The gardening expert explained: "One of the bluest of the beautiful sea hollies, Eryngium 'Picos Blue' needs plenty of sunshine and free-draining soil to thrive. Their whorls of spikes can be sharp, so it's best to plant them away from the edge of a border or path, especially if little legs will be running up and down." They attract bees, butterflies and other pollinators regularly due to their beautiful nectar-rich flowers. Well-drained soil is best, and you should avoid root disturbance.
Limonium 'Dazzle Rocks'
The specialist noted these plants yield an abundance of pink-purple blooms that draw pollinators into the garden. It's drought-tolerant and heat-resistant, and it flourishes in a container or within a border.
Salvia 'Cardonna'
Sarah added: "One of the earliest varieties of salvia, 'Cardonna', produces some of the longest spikes which can readily reach 60cm. It is a drought-tolerant perennial but will perform best in a sunny spot with free-draining soil. You can expect beautiful purple flowers from June through to October, but for the best results, cut back in early summer to encourage later flowering."
Gaura 'Lindheimeri'
This plant proves ideal for edging pathways or incorporating into flower beds. It appears stunning in an arrangement but equally impressive standing alone. They thrive in full sun and typically bloom between June and August, requiring minimal upkeep throughout the year.
Verbena 'Bonariensis'
Sarah said: "[They] produce an absolutely stunning display of purple flowers at head height from late summer through to autumn and are shrouded in confetti or butterflies as soon as there is a glimpse of sunshine. They are drought-tolerant perennials so need little maintenance, but you should protect them with a layer of leaf mould or compost mulch in autumn."
