Drought-resistant gardening

Preserving water is proving to be of increasing importance, nowhere more so than within a garden. By making some careful selections, and using simple techniques, dramatic plantings can be achieved that require low maintenance and have minimal moisture demands.

Climate change

With drier summers it can be well worth taking action to help plants survive through particularly dry periods. Development can be severely restricted by a lack of available water. Drought during summer, when temperatures and sunlight are at their highest levels, is a common problem. A plant’s functions slow down until more water is available, although water loss by transpiration is reduced by partial closure of stomata in the leaves.

Suitable plants

When planning a new garden or border consider using more drought-tolerant plants. Vegetation originating from regions of low rainfall often has special adaptations such as spiny, narrow, glossy, hairy, sticky or fleshy leaves that help reduce water loss through transpiration.

The Dry Garden at RHS Garden Hyde Hall (left and right) demonstrates planting of this type. However, even drought-tolerant plants may need watering until they establish.

Retaining moisture

Although watering is an important consideration there are simple measures that can be taken to enable existing plants withstand drought better. Garden mulches keep the roots of plants moist and cool during long dry spells, and in some cases also provide valuable nutrients, as well as suppressing weeds. There are a wide range of garden mulches available including wood chippings (left), spent mushroom compost, manure, leafmould and cocoa shells. A large selection of mulches are generally available from garden centres; or alternatively you could consider making your own. Application can take place at any time of the year regardless of the season, providing the soil is moist before application.

Weeds compete with grass for resources so should be removed. Lawns can die back quickly during summer resulting in straw-coloured patches, regrowth of which can be slow. Raising the cutting height of the lawnmower can reduce drought stress slightly. To increase drought tolerance, scarify the lawn in autumn to remove thatch build-up. Although a thin thatch layer can act as a mulch (and make the turf more resilient), a layer greater than 1cm (3⁄8in) can impede water penetration. Use a spring-tined rake or hire a motorised scarifier. Regular aeration is important for moisture penetration to the root zone.