LATEST NEWS: Dry Gardening
Planting lavender outside the Palm House
In a climate such as the United Kingdom, where the climate is steadily becoming more Mediterranean, plants from these regions will become ever more useful to us, and can also help us to conserve precious resources such as water.
Many garden plants grown in temperate climates have their origins in the Mediterranean - tulips, irises, marigolds, and sweet peas have all been developed from plants native to the region. These plants will become ever more appropriate as we try to garden with milder winters and hotter, drier summers.
Look out for plants with grey or silvery foliage, small leaves, swollen leaves or stems, or plants that are covered in fine hairs, these will be adapted to a low rainfall environment. Plants like these will certainly not complain if there is a hose-pipe ban!
Why not try the following for a beautiful dry garden display:
- Genista aetnensis
- Lavendula angustifolia
- Lavandula stoechas
- Phlomis fruticosa
- Senecio greyii
- Artemisia schmidtiana and other species
- Rosmarinus officinalis
- Geranium macrorrhizum
- Agapanthus species and Headbourne hybrids
- Bulbs including Allium
- Drought resistant grasses including Pennisetum and Blue Oat Grass (Helictrichon sempervirens)
These plants prefer good drainage and light soil. You can add gravel or sandy grit to your soil if it is heavy to aid drainage. Use a mulch to cut down on the need for watering and weeding.