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)
Lonicera
Honeysuckle
Lonicera fragrantissima
Fragrant winter honeysuckle
Lonicera ligustrina var. pileata 'Moss Green'
Privet honeysuckle, Box honeysuckle
Lonicera ligustrina var. yunnanensis
Shining honeysuckle, Boxleaf honeysuckle
Lonicera nitida 'Twiggy'
Shining honeysuckle, Boxleaf honeysuckle
Lonicera periclymenum
Woodbine, Woodbine honeysuckle
Lonicera periclymenum
Woodbine, Woodbine honeysuckle
Lonicera periclymenum 'Belgica'
Woodbine, Woodbine honeysuckle
Lonicera periclymenum 'Serotina'
Late Dutch honeysuckle, Late red honeysuckle, Woodbine
Lonicera periclymenum Chic et Choc = 'Inov205'
Woodbine, Woodbine honeysuckle
Lonicera x brownii 'Dropmore Scarlet'
Scarlet trumpet honeysuckle, Brown's hybrid honeysuckle
Lonicera x tellmanniana
Redgold, Yellman honeysuckle
Lupinus
Lupin
Mahonia aquifolium 'Apollo'
Oregon grape, Holly grape, Holly leaved barberry
Monarda
Bergamot, Bee balm, Oswego tea
Nandina domestica
Chinese sacred bamboo, Heavenly bamboo, Nanten
Nandina domestica 'Fire Power'
Chinese sacred bamboo, Heavenly bamboo, Nanten
Nandina domestica 'Gulf Stream'
Chinese sacred bamboo, Heavenly bamboo
Nandina domestica 'Obsessed'
Chinese sacred bamboo, Heavenly bamboo
Nandina domestica 'Twilight'
Chinese sacred bamboo, Heavenly bamboo
Nandina domestica Magical Lemon and Lime = 'Lemlin'
Chinese sacred bamboo, Heavenly bamboo
Nepeta
Catmint, Catnip
Nepeta 'Six Hills Giant'
Catmint, Catnip
Nepeta grandiflora 'Summer Magic'
Caucasus catmint, Giant catmint
Osteospermum
African daisy
Osteospermum 'Cannington Roy'
African daisy
Osteospermum 'Lady Leitrim'
African daisy
Osteospermum jucundum
Pleasing African daisy
Papaver
Poppy
Papaver 'Allegro'
Oriental poppy
Papaver 'Beauty of Livermere'
Oriental poppy
Papaver 'Patty's Plum'
Oriental poppy
Papaver 'Royal Wedding'
Oriental poppy
Papaver nudicaule
Icelandic poppy, Arctic poppy
Papaver orientale
Oriental poppy
Parthenocissus
Virginia creeper
Parthenocissus quinquefolia
Virginia creeper, Woodbine, American ivy, Five leaved ivy
Parthenocissus tricuspidata 'Veitchii'
Japanese creeper, Boston ivy
Passiflora
Passion flower
Pennisetum
Fountain grass
Pennisetum advena 'Rubrum'
Purple fountain grass
Pennisetum alopecuroides
Fountain grass, Swamp foxtail grass, Chinese pennisetum, Chikara shiba
Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Hameln'
Fountain grass, Swamp foxtail grass, Chinese pennisetum, Chikara shiba
Pennisetum alopecuroides f. viridescens
Fountain grass, Swamp foxtail grass, Chinese pennisetum, Chikara shiba
Pennisetum glaucum 'Purple Baron'
Ornamental millet, Pearl millet
Pennisetum x advena 'Fireworks'
Variegated Fountain grass
Penstemon 'Andenken an Friedrich Hahn'
Beard tongue
Penstemon 'Blackbird'
Beard tongue