Drought tolerant, low maintenance
Drought tolerant plants in this group will need watering weekly in dry weather for the first year or two while they grow deep roots. After that, they'll generally be happy with 2-4 weeks without water. ; Top tip: Climate change is making our summers drier, so dig in organic matter (compost or soil improvers) to improve soil structure and water retention capability. Also, collect rainwater by installing water butts.
Best plants for drought
461 plants
Drought, low maintenance climbers
68 plants
Drought, low maintenance containers
600 plants
Drought, low maintenance in shade
368 plants
Drought, low maintenance in sun
1470 plants
Drought, low maintenance trees & conifers
192 plants
Drought tolerant roses
64 plants
Shady border, drought collection
153 plants
Sunny border, drought collection
249 plants
All plants (2388)
Helianthus 'Sunshine Daydream'
Sunflower
Hemerocallis 'Edge Ahead'
Day lily
Hemerocallis 'Festival'
Day lily
Hemerocallis 'Little Gypsy Vagabond'
Day lily
Hemerocallis 'Little Wine Cup'
Day lily
Hemerocallis 'Luxury Lace'
Day lily
Hemerocallis 'Summer Wine'
Day lily
Hemerocallis 'Timeless Fire'
Day lily
Hydrangea arborescens Ruby Annabelle = 'Ncha3'
Smooth hydrangea
Ilex aquifolium 'Hascombensis'
Common holly, English holly, Hulver bush
Ilex aquifolium 'Myrtifolia Aurea'
Common holly, English holly, Hulver bush
Ilex aquifolium 'Pyramidalis'
Self-fertile variety
Ilex aquifolium 'Silver Van Tol'
Self-fertile variety, Common holly
Iris 'Black Dragon'
Tall bearded iris
Iris germanica
Bearded iris, German iris
Jasminum nudiflorum
Winter jasmine
Juniperus chinensis 'Blue Alps'
Chinese juniper
Juniperus chinensis 'Robusta Green'
Chinese juniper
Juniperus chinensis 'Variegata'
Chinese juniper
Juniperus horizontalis 'Golden Carpet'
Creeping juniper, Creeping cedar, Creeping savin, Horizontal juniper
Juniperus horizontalis Glauca Group
Creeping juniper, Creeping cedar, Creeping savin, Horizontal juniper
Juniperus sabina 'Variegata'
Variegated common savin
Juniperus x pfitzeriana
Juniper, Pfitzer juniper
Juniperus x pfitzeriana 'Sulphur Spray'
Pfitzer juniper
Kniphofia 'Lye End'
Red hot poker
Kniphofia 'Strawberries and Cream'
Red hot poker
Kniphofia citrina
Red hot poker, Lemon yellow Red hot poker
Lamium galeobdolon 'Silver Angel'
Yellow archangel, Weazel snout, Golden nettle, Golden deadnettle
Lavandula 'Blue Spear'
Lavender
Lavandula 'Forte Blue'
English lavender
Lavandula 'Goodwin Creek'
Lavender
Lavandula 'Silver Line'
Lavender
Lavandula angustifolia 'Dwarf Blue'
True lavender, Old English lavender, Common lavender
Lavandula angustifolia 'Ellagance Purple'
True lavender, Old English lavender, Common lavender
Lavandula angustifolia 'Jean Davis'
True lavender, Old English lavender, Common lavender
Lavandula angustifolia 'Miss Dawnderry'
Lavender
Lavandula angustifolia 'Royal Purple'
True lavender, Old English lavender, Common lavender
Lavandula stoechas 'Little Bee Purple'
French lavender, Butterfly lavender
Lonicera etrusca
Etruscan honeysuckle
Lonicera etrusca 'Donald Waterer'
Etruscan honeysuckle
Lonicera etrusca 'Michael Rosse'
Etruscan honeysuckle
Lonicera nitida 'Van Gogh'
Shining honeysuckle, Boxleaf honeysuckle
Lonicera periclymenum 'Rhubarb and Custard'
Woodbine, Woodbine honeysuckle
Lonicera x tellmanniana
Redgold, Yellman honeysuckle
Muscari azureum
Sky-blue grape hyacinth
Nandina domestica 'Lemon Lime'
Chinese sacred bamboo, Heavenly bamboo, Nanten
Nandina domestica Plum Passion = 'Monum'
Chinese sacred bamboo, Heavenly bamboo
Nepeta 'Porzellan'
Catmint, Catnip