Alan Titchmarsh’s recommendations for plants that barely need watering (Image: Paul Biris via Getty Images)
If your garden borders are susceptible to drying out during the summer months, it may be worthwhile switching from conventional bedding plants to drought-tolerant varieties that flourish in sunny spots. These resilient plants hail from regions where water is limited, having adapted over millennia to cope with parched soil once established.
As gardening expert Alan Titchmarsh advises, “Remember, with all these plants, as well as enjoying sunshine, the soil is well-drained.” In a YouTube video on his channel, Gardening With Alan Titchmarsh, he revealed his top seven drought-tolerant plants, stating: “Like all gardeners I’m always looking for ways to preserve water or use less water in my garden and one way to do it is by including plants that can survive in drier conditions.”
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Whatever plants you choose, the secret to success is proper establishment, so ensure you water new additions generously and regularly throughout their first season.
Catmint ‘Purrsian Blue’
Blooming from summer through to autumn, this stunning catmint is perfectly suited to dry, well-drained borders. Its misty blue flowers draw in pollinators and create an elegant display in the garden.
It also has a wonderful fragrance, and felines adore it — hence the name. Whilst catmints may droop when they reach height, Alan observes this is simply controlled through staking, so provide full sun or partial shade, and trim back following the initial flowering to maintain compact growth and continuous blooms.
With proper attention, you can enjoy a hassle-free season of colour in the precise conditions where more water-demanding perennials fail.
Catmint ‘Purrsian Blue (Image: Getty)
Stipa tenuifolia (Ponytail grass)
A delicate, movement-creating grass reaching approximately 75cm, Stipa tenuifolia proves remarkably drought-tolerant once established and ideal for positioning at the front or middle of a border. The slender, thread-like blades complement vibrant colour schemes.
Alan suggests, “Use these as little buffers in between brighter coloured plants.” It’s simple to propagate by dividing a pot into three or four sections.
“Plant it and water it in well, and you’ll end up with a little forest. It seeds itself gently and it’s just wonderfully elegant in every way,” the gardening expert stated.
Position ponytail grass in full sun with well-draining soil, water thoroughly at planting. When initially planting them, provide generous watering and continue until they become established. Once their roots are established, they can tolerate drier conditions.
Ponytail grass (Image: Getty)
Cistus pulverulentus (Image: Getty)
Cistus pulverulentus
A compact, semi-evergreen rose that reaches around 50cm in height, Cistus ‘Sunset’ creates low, tidy mounds perfect for small gardens and drought-prone borders. They appear unremarkable during winter but in late spring and summer they burst into vibrant pink flowers.
The soft, leafy foliage indicates robust drought resistance – Alan’s advice: “Hairy leaf plants are generally a fairly good bet for dry, drought-ridden conditions”- and for effortless summer colour in challenging areas.
He suggests, “If you have a long, narrow drought-ridden border, plant it entirely with cystases and from the beginning to the end of summer, you’ll really enjoy these flowers.”
Simply provide it with ample sunlight, excellent drainage and a light trim after blooming to maintain those compact mounds.
Eryngium ‘Magical White Lagoon’
With prickly, holly-like leaves and radiant white to blue, thistle-like heads, Eryngium ‘Magical White Lagoon’ reaches approximately 50cm and thrives in hot, dry, sunny borders.
Also referred to as sea holly, the plant has thick roots that seek out deep moisture, making them ideal for a hot, dry garden border.
Eryngium ‘Magical White Lagoon’ (Image: Getty)
Sedum ‘Sunsparkler Plum Dazzled’ (Image: Getty)
Alan dubs them “firework plants” due to their starburst buds appearing in mid to late summer. They also make striking cut and dried arrangements – simply hang the stems upside down in a well-ventilated room for an intriguing midwinter bouquet.
Sedum ‘Sunsparkler Plum Dazzled’
This hardy, evergreen succulent-often nicknamed an ice plant because its leaves remain cool even on warm days-proves its worth with plum-tinged, slightly grey-backed foliage and “lovely clusters of starry pink flowers towards the end of summer”.
Providing colour from July through August and September until the first frosts, Alan explains this plant flourishes in sunny spots with sharp drainage in borders or containers, delivering excellent late nectar for pollinators. The drought-resistant plant withstands heat thanks to fleshy, sap-rich foliage that cushions temperature fluctuations, and provides structure precisely when early borders fade.
Agapanthus ‘Ever Sapphire’
Developed for endurance, ‘Ever Sapphire’ blooms repeatedly throughout summer instead of producing a single flush and, with proper drainage, proves a dependable container or border option in cooler areas.
Agapanthus (Image: Getty)
Helianthemum (Image: Getty)
The strap-like foliage frames striking heads that may appear in white, but as Alan notes, “For me, true blue is the colour of agapanthus,” and these look particularly “handsome” in a substantial terracotta pot where roots can bake.
During establishment, provide this hardy variety full sun, a gritty compost, and consistent watering. Moderate feeding enables the plant to become slightly rootbound to enhance flowering performance in heat and drought.
Helianthemum ‘The Bride’
Evergreen and compact, Helianthemum, commonly known as the rock rose, spreads elegantly across rocks or borders the very front of beds, seldom exceeding nine to 12 inches in height.
This compact plant extends two to three feet wide for excellent ground cover that flowers from late spring throughout summer. Its tidy growth habit and abundance of simple, sun-loving blossoms (white in ‘The Bride’, though rock roses also appear in yellow, pink and orange) make it a drought garden staple.
Position it in the warmest, most well-drained locations, trim lightly following the initial flowering to encourage additional blooms, and combine with gravel, silvery foliage and compact succulents for a vibrant, Mediterranean feel.
