Drought Tolerant Plants

Low Maintenance and Drought Tolerant plants with a hint of the Mediterranean

Creating a gravel garden with drought-tolerant plants is one way to enjoy a beautiful garden in our changing climate and still be ‘waterwise’.

A gravel garden is a great option for a low maintenance garden. It also lends itself to Mediterranean-style drought-tolerant planting so things like Lavender, Euphorbias, Cistus and Olives are ideal. They cope well in drought conditions once established and create a Mediterranean look and feel in your own garden.

From left to right: for herbs and scent try Rosemary, Lavender, Sage and Thyme

Choosing the right plants

There are many suitable plants that will cope in full sun and look good in a gravel setting. Drought tolerant characteristics include silver or grey-green leaves to reflect the sun. Some have a coating of fine hairs on their leaves or stems, helping to trap in moisture.

Plants will look best arranged in natural drifts of 3’s and 5’s and allowed to self-seed. We have put together a selection of useful plants with drought-tolerant properties to get you started.

From left to right: Eryingium (Sea Holly), Miscanthus, Euphorbia, Agapanthus

Evergreen Shrubs

Top: from left to right: Convolvulus, Lavender, Hebe, Acca sellowiana

Bottom: from left to right: Ceanothus, Choisya,Cistus, Stachys

A selection of drought tolerant plants to suit gravel gardens
Important: Even plants with drought tolerant characteristics will require regular watering after planting until they are fully established.

Shrubs and Trees

Acca sellowiana

Brachyglottis

Callistemon (Bottle Brush)

Buxus (Box)

Ceanothus

Choisya

Cistus

Convolvulus

Cotinus

Cordyline (Palm)

Cytisus

Genista

Hebe

Ficus (Fig)

Juniperus

Lavandula

Magnolia grandiflora (Evergreen)

Olea (Olive)

Pinus mugo (dwarf conifer)

Rosmarinus

Salvia officinalis (Sage)

Santolina

Thymus (Thyme)

Trachycarpus fortunei (palm)

Yucca

Herbaceous perennials & bulbs

Achillea

Agapanthus

Allium

Echinacea

Echinops

Eryngium (Sea Holly)

Erysimum

(Perennial Wallflower)

Euphorbia

Kniphofia (Red Hot Poker)

Nepeta

Osteospermum jucundum

Salvia nemorosa

Sedum

Stachys

Verbena bonariensis

Grasses

Miscanthus

Pennisetum

Stipa

Climbers

Campsis

Trachelospermum (Star jasmine)

Wisteria

For a wider selection use our Plant Finder and select ‘Mediterranean’ garden style and ‘Drought Resistant’ under the ‘moisture’ category or ask one of our qualified horticulturalists at the nursery for more advice.

Creating a Gravel Garden

Choosing the spot

An open, sunny, well-drained spot is best for most Mediterranean style plants. Sandy soil with relatively low fertility is ideal. Dig in organic matter before planting to help improve soil structure and water retention, but avoid adding fertilizer as this encourages too much lush growth which will require extra watering.

Design and Build by Creative Landscape Co at the Big Plant Nursery

Weed Suppressant

Lay landscape membrane over the soil before planting to help suppress the weeds. It allows the water through, and keeps the gravel from mixing with the soil. If you plan to install a ‘drip line’ irrigation system this would lay on top of the membrane and be easily hidden under the gravel mulch.

Planting

Arrange plants in natural drifts of 3’s or 5’s and allow plenty of room for growth and space between groups. This allows the gravel mulch to set the plants off nicely. Cut crosses in the membrane large enough to insert each plant into the planting hole, firm in and water well at the root.

Gravel Mulch

Once watered, add 2” to 3” of gravel mulch to help retain moisture and suppress the weeds. Perennial weeds may still come through but at a slower rate making it much easier to keep on top of them. As plants increase in size they too will help suppress weeds.

Choosing Gravel Mulch

For a more natural look we recommend using a local gravel to blend with the house and environment. In Berkshire for example, this is often a gravel pea shingle and in Oxfordshire a warmer Cotswold aggregate or Oxford gravel could be used. There are of course other options available such as slate.

Edging

Before planting, lay a timber, stone or brick edging to retain the gravel, particularly if the gravel garden is adjacent to lawn where a brick mowing strip of at least 200mm is recommended. Brick or terracotta is effective with this style but ensure your choice also blends well with the house brick for a complementary and effective design.

Add the finishing touches

Large terracotta pots, a bird bath or sculpture carefully placed will create a focal point.

For larger projects, our Creative Landscape design and build team can help you create a low maintenance gravel garden.

From left to right: Rosemary, the late and long flowering Verbena bonariensis and flowing Stipa tenuissima grasses with Alliums.