What To Plant In A Drought – Our Favourite Drought-Resistant Flowers

This summer has seen record-breaking temperatures in both June and July, and as we enter August, most of the UK has officially been declared in drought. So bad has it been, that some areas of the UK – including Kew – haven’t experienced a drop of rainfall for an entire month. The lack of rain and the intense heat has meant gardens and balconies have really suffered, especially with the introduction of a hosepipe ban in many areas. Sadly, as climate change continues, these high temperatures will likely remain a regular occurrence in summers to come – and this should make us reflect on what plants will and won’t cope with these extreme conditions. Rosebie Morton, founder of The Real Flower Company, shares her top tips on the flowers to plant in a drought. 

What To Plant In A Drought

The real winners this year are Salvias, which have loved the hot dry weather. They are incredibly undemanding, flowering continuously all summer long and well into October. Plus they are very easy to propagate, brilliant pollinators, and come in a multitude of different colours. 

Sedums, or as they are now called Hylotelephium, are designed to thrive in the heat. They have thick fleshy leaves which store water, and as a result they can withstand long periods of drought. A newish and very eye-catching one is the variegated, low-growing Hylotelphium Takesinense ‘Atlantis’, which is also another brilliant bee and butterfly magnet.

Most plants with grey or narrow leaves tend to do well. Lavender is an obvious choice; its narrow leaves lock in moisture, and English lavender ‘Munstead’ is an especially great choice for its floriferous deep blue/purple flowers. Santolina, another Mediterranean plant with silvery foliage and bright yellow button-like flowers, does equally well and is eye-catching at the front of a bed.

Whilst thinking of low-growing plants, you can’t go wrong with Helianthemums, also known as rock roses, which are very strong in drought conditions and come in all colours. These shouldn’t be confused with the other variety of plants known as rock roses, AKA Cistus, which also love the heat. Cistus Dansereau Decumbens is a great low-growing spreader or, for a larger shrub, opt for Purpureus ‘Alan Fradd’ with its beautiful crumpled, tissue-like white flowers, featuring a central crimson blotch and golden anthers.

One plant which will never let you down in the heat is Erigeron karvinskianus, or Mexican daisy; once established it will pop up in every crack and crevice and flower solidly – they’re so wonderfully undemanding. Equally reliable are Scabiosa plants, in pinks and lilacs and mixed in with scented Geraniums; they look amazing and are good in a drought.

Prairie plants are very well suited to these harsh conditions too. Grasses are a firm favourite, and repeating them in a garden can be very effective to link planting schemes. Stipa Tenuissima provides year-round structure and movement, whilst Pennisetum Alopecuroides, or fountain grass, boasts beautiful pink-tinged flowers.

Mix into the grasses perennials such as Echinaceas; these cone flowers come into their own later in the season, providing eye-catching colour and attracting pollinators. Another favourite for dry weather is Eryngiums. They commonly have steely blue flowers, but I love Eryngium Miss Wilmott’s Ghost, which, as you would expect, is silvery white and just lovely, thriving in my garden this year and self-seeding all over the place. Finally, one can’t not mention Agapanthus, which will colonise well and bring an exotic touch to any garden or container.

So be brave, major on drought resistance and give up on water-demanding plants which are sulking, drooping or shrivelling. Dare I mention Sweet Peas? Mine have been a disaster!