Five fab drought tolerant plants

Long, dry summers can be tough on our gardens, but I’m going to share five drought-tolerant plants that will keep your garden blooming through summer.

1. Nepeta (catmint)

   This lavender-coloured perennial is loved by pollinators and cats. It flowers from late spring into autumn, and cutting it back after the first flush encourages more flowers. Once established, nepeta looks after itself. Its aromatic, silvery-green, hairy leaves help slow water loss in dry spells. Try ‘Six Hills Giant’ or ‘Walker’s Low’ for a spreading plant, or ‘Kit Cat’ or ‘Blue Moon’ for a more compact one.

2. Santolina (lavender cotton)

   This small evergreen shrub has narrow, silver-grey foliage and bright yellow, button-like flowers in summer. It has a strong aromatic scent and is generally left alone by slugs, snails, deer and rabbits. Native to the Mediterranean region, santolina thrives in full sun and poor, well-drained soil and is well adapted to dry conditions.

3. Gaura

   This elegant, bushy perennial has slender stems tipped with flowers that seem to float above the foliage like butterflies. It’s low-maintenance as long as the soil drains well, as soggy soil can rot the roots. It loves full sun and tolerates partial shade. Originally from the North American prairies, gaura is drought-tolerant once established. Try ‘Rosy Jane’ for pink-and-white flowers or ‘Whirling Butterflies’ for a mass of graceful white blooms.

4. Mexican feather grass

   For a prairie-style garden, try ornamental grasses such as Stipa tenuissima, also known as ponytails or Mexican feather grass. Its fine, hair-like plumes sway in the breeze, softening border edges and adding movement. It thrives in dry, open sites, so give it gritty, free-draining soil. It grows well in pots too and self-seeds readily.

5. Verbena

   Whether you grow bedding verbenas or the tall perennial Verbena bonariensis from South America, they can flower for months. Verbenas like well-drained soil and are drought-tolerant once established. Water regularly while they’re getting established. They work well in gravel gardens, prairie planting with ornamental grasses or among colourful bedding plants. These sun lovers are rich in nectar and attract pollinators.

And that’s my five fab drought-tolerant plants.