Last Updated on July 20, 2026 by the Dobies Horticultural Team
With increasingly dry summers and regular hosepipe bans, it’s more important than ever to choose drought tolerant plants that can cope with challenging conditions. Originating from hot and dry countries, drought-resistant plants are usually deeper rooted, and their leaves are often silver, hairy, succulent, needle-like or waxy to help reduce the effects of the heat. Here are some of the best drought-tolerant plants for UK gardens…
Drought tolerant plants for sun
Image source: Branded Garden Products
| Drought tolerant trees and shrubs |
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Acacia | Achillea | Californian Poppy |
| Buddleia | Allium | Diascia |
| Cordyline | Anthemis | Gazania |
| Elaeagnus | Aubrieta | Mesembryanthemum |
| Eucalyptus | Bearded Iris | Poppies (Papaver) |
| Fig | Creeping Phlox | Verbena |
| Goji berry | Eryngium | |
| Hebe | Evening Primrose | |
| Helianthemum | Fritillaria persica | |
| Jasmine | Gaillardia | |
| Juniper | Hardy Ice Plant | |
| Lavatera | Oriental Poppy | |
| Lavender | Osteospermum | |
| Passiflora caerulea (Passion Flower) | Pennisetum alopecuroides | |
| Perovskia | Rainbow Lily | |
| Pine | Red Hot Poker | |
| Robinia | Sedum | |
| Winter Honeysuckle | Verbascum | |
| Verbena bonariensis | ||
| Wallflower |
Drought tolerant plants for shade
| Drought tolerant plants for shade |
|---|
| Cyclamen neopolitanum and Cyclamen coum |
| Euphorbia |
| Foxglove |
| Geranium pratense |
| Hypericum |
| Lily of the Valley |
How to help plants cope with dry conditions
Image source: Gaillardia × grandiflora ‘Fanfare Serenade’ from Dobies
Even drought-resistant plants need watering in their first year whilst they establish. Here are a few things you can do to help your plants survive and thrive:
- Improve your soil before planting by working in lots of organic matter such as well-rotted manure or compost. Organic matter acts as a sponge and is highly water-retentive, as well as providing nutrients for your plants.
- Before planting, soak the root balls of your plants in a bucket of water until they are wet through. This will prevent them drying out too quickly as they adjust to their new home.
- Mulch around your plants in the spring using organic matter, slate chips, gravel, bark or pebbles to reduce water evaporation.
- Water young plants deeply every few days rather than little and often. This encourages deeper rooting rather than surface roots and will help plants tolerate drought conditions once they’re established.
Looking for more tips to help your garden cope with drought? Read our article on ‘Water-saving tips’ for more practical advice.