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)
Penstemon 'Hewell Pink Bedder'
Beard tongue
Penstemon 'King George V'
Beard tongue
Penstemon 'Pensham Amelia Jane'
Beard tongue
Penstemon 'Purple Bedder'
Beard tongue
Penstemon 'Rubicundus'
Red penstemon
Penstemon 'Stapleford Gem'
Beard tongue
Penstemon 'White Bedder'
Beard tongue
Perovskia atriplicifolia 'Little Spire'
Russian sage, Azure sage
Photinia
Christmas berry
Photinia serratifolia 'Pink Crispy'
Chinese hawthorn, Chinese photinia, Oriental photinia, Christmas berry
Photinia x fraseri 'Red Robin'
Christmas berry, Red robin, Fraser photinia, Redtip photinia
Photinia x fraseri Magical Volcano = 'Kolmacova'
Frasers hybrid photinia, Christmas berry
Photinia x fraseri Pink Marble = 'Cassini'
Fraser's hybrid photinia
Pinus mugo Pumilio Group
Dwarf mountain pine, European scrub pine, Mountain pine, Swiss mountain pine
Potentilla
Cinquefoil, Five finger
Potentilla fruticosa
Shrubby cinquefoil, Golden hardhack, Widdy, Bush cinquefoil
Potentilla fruticosa 'Abbotswood'
Shrubby cinquefoil, Golden hardhack, Widdy, Bush cinquefoil
Potentilla fruticosa 'Elizabeth'
Shrubby cinquefoil, Golden hardhack, Widdy, Bush cinquefoil
Potentilla fruticosa 'Goldfinger'
Shrubby cinquefoil, Golden hardhack, Widdy, Bush cinquefoil
Potentilla fruticosa 'Kobold'
Shrubby cinquefoil, Golden hardhack, Widdy, Bush cinquefoil
Potentilla fruticosa 'Pink Beauty'
Shrubby cinquefoil, Golden hardhack, Widdy, Bush cinquefoil
Potentilla fruticosa 'Primrose Beauty'
Shrubby cinquefoil, Golden hardhack, Widdy, Bush cinquefoil
Potentilla fruticosa 'Tangerine'
Shrubby cinquefoil, Golden hardhack, Widdy, Bush cinquefoil
Potentilla fruticosa Marian Red Robin = 'Marrob'
Shrubby cinquefoil, Golden hardhack, Widdy, Bush cinquefoil
Potentilla fruticosa Princess = 'Blink'
Shrubby cinquefoil, Golden hardhack, Widdy, Bush cinquefoil
Pyrus
Pear
Pyrus salicifolia 'Pendula'
Weeping pear, Willow leaved pear
Robinia pseudoacacia
Common acacia, False acacia, Black locust, Locust
Robinia pseudoacacia 'Frisia'
Golden acacia, Golden locust, Common acacia, False acacia, Black locust, Locust
Rosa rugosa 'Alba'
Rugosa rose
Salix caprea 'Kilmarnock'
Kilmarnock Willow, Goat willow, Great Sallow, Pussy willow, Florist's willow
Salvia
Sage
Salvia 'Amistad'
Sage
Salvia 'Hot Lips'
Cherry sage, James hybrid salvia
Salvia microphylla
Cherry sage, Graham's sage
Salvia nemorosa
Wild sage, Violet sage, Wodland sage, Perennial salvia
Salvia nemorosa 'Caradonna'
Wild sage, Violet sage, Woodland sage, Perennial salvia
Salvia nemorosa 'East Friesland'
Wild sage, Violet sage, Wodland sage, Perennial salvia
Salvia nemorosa 'Sensation Blue'
Wild sage, Violet sage, Woodland sage, Perennial salvia
Salvia nemorosa Sensation Deep Rose = 'FlorSalRoz'
Wild sage, Violet sage, Woodland sage, Perennial salvia
Salvia x jamensis 'Maraschino'
James' hybrid sage
Salvia x jamensis 'Raspberry Royale'
James' hybrid sage
Scabiosa
Pincushion flower, Scabious, Mourning bride
Scabiosa 'Butterfly Blue'
Pincushion flower, Scabious, Mourning bride
Scabiosa 'Pink Mist'
Scabious
Scabiosa columbaria 'Blue Note'
Small scabious
Sedum 'Autumn Joy'
Stonecrop
Sedum 'Mr Goodbud'
Mr Goodbud stonecrop