Drought-tolerant plants

Drought-tolerant plants

Kalanchoes, Aloes, agaves and echeverias grow well in Britain's mild climate and, as long as they have good drainage and are protected from winter frosts they will survive wind, drought and cold.

New Zealand's extreme climate offers some fabulous tough and drought-resistant plants which would thrive in Britain. Corokia buddleoides, Astelia chathamica, Hoheria lyallii and the exciting groundcover, Acaena microphylla. Also look out for beautiful grasses such as Stipa arundinacea, Carex testacea and Uncinia rubra. All these plants should survive our winters given the right conditions.

Gravel gardens

A lawn should be a luxurious green carpet, not a dusty, brown piece of scrub-land. Maintaining the perfect 18th hole in your back garden is not easy and during the summer months it becomes almost impossible.

A solution to your lawn trauma lies in gravel - zero maintenance and it looks great with lots of pots and tubs of flowers.

Laying gravel

- Make sure you put down a weed-suppressing membrane first.
- Search online for local companies who will deliver gravels, stones or to your house and crane it to where you need it.
- Make sure you order enough to allow you to cover the area to a depth of 3cm (1.2in)
- Insert plants by cutting holes in the membrane to break up the look of the gravel.

The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) has produced a list of its top ten drought-resistant plants, these are:
- Cistus x purpureus
- Crepis incana
- Euphorbia x martini
- Nerine bowdenii
- Lavandula stoechas
- Phlomis fruiticosa
- Campsis tagliabuana 'Madame Galen'
- Crinum powellii
- Iris unguicularis
- Rosmarinus officinalis 'Sissinghurst Blue'

Re-cycling your water

It's much easier to re-use your water than you think. Simply fit a device which allows you to divert your used bath or shower water. Buy a 'Water Two' device from www.watertwo.co.uk for only £27.95.

Keep your lawn green

Don't cut your grass too short. If the clippings are short leave them on the grass as they will create a moisture-retaining mulch. Don't let the mulch build up as this can prevent the rain from reaching the roots.

Mulching your borders

The majority of water is lost through evaporation rather than drainage. Using mulch will help your soil stay moist. A layer of 1-2 inches of organic mulch - anything from well rotted muck to coarse bark, garden compost or straw - should do the job.

Remember: the soil must be moist before you add mulch.

When and how much to water