Plants for Dry Soil

While summer is the season for our gardens to come alive with colour, you may find it tricky keeping up with the constant watering required for upkeep of all your plants. As temperatures increase, the moisture in the soil decreases, with regular watering making little difference. Even though dry soil may seem like a harsh environment for growing, there are a range of plants which are well suited for such conditions.

If your garden is made up of a heavy clay based soil, you may suffer with extremely dry ground during warmer months, making it difficult to plant in these areas. With drought resistant plants, you are able to utilise every space in your garden, and bring life to what would have been an empty area.

One of the plus sides to planting drought resistant plants in dry areas is that you do not need to worry about maintaining regular watering. While these plants are well suited to growing in dry areas, they will still need watering periodically, though you will notice it is considerably less than regular plants once established.

What makes these plants good for dry soil

While most plants are thought to thrive in thick, damp soil, there are a wide variety of plants with a more laid back approach. When it comes to drought loving plants, they will often have well adapted roots to span the ground for water, as well as silver or grey/green leaves for reflecting the sun. A few of our favourite varieties include lavender, euphorbia, heuchera, sedum and panicum.

How to aid plants growing in dry conditions

Just like any other plant, there are ways you can prep for these drought loving plants to ensure they get a head start with growing and stand the best chance of thriving in these harsh conditions.

• Plant during spring to give time for roots to establish and settle before the dry conditions begin.
• Plant young specimens to give them time to adjust to the environment as they grow.
• Mix the existing soil with organic matter to improve water retention and drainage when the drought period begins.
• Add mulch to the soil, as well as on the surface around the plant to lock in any moisture during watering.

Perfect plants for dry soil

Euphorbia - This type of plant makes up a wide and diverse selection of flowering shrubs, ideal for a range of areas around your garden. With both bush and ground covering varieties, euphorbia are a great addition to drought-prone ground, whether you need them to fill a large area or add a pop of colour throughout your borders.

Heuchera - Sometimes referred to as coral bells, heuchera is a bold and versatile plant in a range of colours. This low maintenance plant has a preference to shade and well-draining soil making them great for dry gardens. They often grow in large mounds, keeping their leaves throughout the year for a constant full display; you may even spot some flowers popping up during the summer months for an extra touch of colour!

Sedum - Often known as stonecrop, sedum is a large flowering shrub great for dry soil in your garden due to their origins in bare, rocky climates. This sun loving perennial can be added for ground cover, or as a tall border plant. Bursting with colourful, delicate flowers, this plant is fantastic at attracting bees and butterflies to your garden.

Panicum - Part of the grass family, panicum is native to tropical regions, making them ideal for drought-prone ground. Growing upright and tall, this plant is great for rock gardens or borders for building height and dimension. Often flowering in late summer, this tough foliage has a dense appearance and comes in a wide range of species.

Lavender - Often known as lavandula, this drought tolerant perennial is easy to grow with a strong, aromatic scent. This plant is fantastic for borders in a sunny spot, but will also thrive in containers or pots. Their woody stems allow them to withstand dry conditions, but have a preference to chalky, well-drained soil. Not only does lavender look and smell great, but is loved by pollinators too!