Diarmuid Gavin’s guide to plants that will thrive in dry conditions

From lavender to silvery-blue grasses, there are beautiful varieties that will survive in free-draining soil

Ornamental grasses and aromatic herbs will do well in dry soils

Diarmuid Gavin

While we all appreciate as much sunshine as we can get, during periods of heatwaves or drought, gardens with stony or sandy soils soon run dry and plants suffer. The loose soil structure means that water drains away very quickly and there is not enough organic matter in the soil to retain any moisture. And it’s not just water that leaches out quickly — nutrients are washed away as well. This is also the case with shallow, chalky soil. While global temperatures continue to rise, heatwaves and drought will become more frequent. So if all or parts of your garden bake dry in prolonged sunny weather, what can you do?

Firstly, you can improve your soil structure by the addition of organic material, such as garden compost or well-rotted manure. This will increase both soil fertility and moisture. This is a job best done in winter or spring before planting — a good bucket full per planting hole. However, you can also mulch around existing plants and let the earthworms slowly incorporate the goodness into your soil.