With increasingly dry summers becoming more common across the UK, choosing plants that can cope with periods of limited rainfall is becoming an important part of garden design.
Fortunately, you don’t have to sacrifice colour, structure or seasonal interest to create a more drought-tolerant garden. There are plenty of hardy shrubs and architectural plants that can thrive once established while providing flowers, attractive foliage, berries or evergreen structure throughout the year.
Here are some of our favourite hardy and drought-tolerant shrubs and plants for UK gardens.
1. Hebe
Hebes are an excellent choice for low-maintenance gardens. They are available in a wide range of sizes, from compact varieties suitable for borders to larger shrubs that can provide useful structure.
Points of interest:
- Evergreen foliage on many varieties
- Purple, blue, pink or white flowers
- Summer flowering
- Attractive to bees and other pollinators
- Relatively low maintenance
Once established, many hebes cope well with dry conditions, particularly when planted in well-drained soil.
2. Lavender
Lavender is one of the most reliable choices for a sunny, drought-tolerant garden.
Its silver-green foliage and distinctive flower spikes provide colour and fragrance, while the flowers are particularly attractive to bees.
Points of interest:
- Highly fragrant foliage and flowers
- Long flowering period through summer
- Excellent for pollinators
- Evergreen or semi-evergreen appearance
- Ideal alongside paths, patios and borders
Lavender prefers free-draining soil and a sunny position.
3. Ceanothus
Also known as Californian lilac, Ceanothus can make a spectacular feature shrub when given the right conditions.
Its clusters of blue flowers can provide an impressive display during spring and early summer.
Points of interest:
- Beautiful blue flowers
- Evergreen varieties available
- Excellent feature shrub
- Attractive to bees
- Performs well in sunny, sheltered positions
Ceanothus generally dislikes wet, poorly drained soil, so good drainage is particularly important.
4. Nandina domestica
Nandina, sometimes known as Heavenly Bamboo, is a versatile shrub that provides interest over a long period.
Its foliage can change colour throughout the seasons, with some varieties producing attractive red or bronze tones.
Points of interest:
- Evergreen foliage
- Seasonal changes in leaf colour
- Small white flowers
- Decorative berries on suitable varieties
- Excellent architectural shape
Nandina works particularly well in contemporary planting schemes and mixed shrub borders.
5. Pittosporum
Pittosporum is an excellent option for adding evergreen structure to a garden.
There are numerous varieties available, including green and variegated forms, making it easy to incorporate into different planting styles.
Points of interest:
- Evergreen foliage
- Attractive foliage colours and patterns
- Can be used as a specimen shrub or informal hedge
- Good structure throughout winter
- Suitable for sunny, sheltered locations
Once established, Pittosporum can tolerate periods of dry weather, although young plants will need regular watering while they establish.
6. Elaeagnus × ebbingei
Ebbinge’s Silverberry is an extremely useful evergreen shrub for UK gardens. It is tough, versatile and can cope with exposed conditions once established.
Its silvery-green foliage provides excellent contrast against darker green planting.
Points of interest:
- Evergreen foliage
- Attractive silver foliage
- Small fragrant flowers in autumn
- Useful for screening and hedging
- Tolerant of wind and dry conditions once established
It can be clipped into a formal hedge or allowed to develop into a larger informal shrub.
7. Viburnum tinus
For gardens where evergreen structure is important, Viburnum tinus is a useful choice.
It produces clusters of small flowers during the cooler months, followed by dark berries, providing interest when many other plants are dormant.
Points of interest:
- Evergreen foliage
- Winter and early spring flowers
- Decorative berries
- Useful screening shrub
- Good structural plant
8. Escallonia
Escallonia is a hardy evergreen shrub that is particularly useful for hedging and coastal-style gardens.
Its glossy foliage is complemented by clusters of pink, red or white flowers during summer.
Points of interest:
- Evergreen foliage
- Long flowering period
- Several flower colours available
- Useful for informal hedges
- Attractive to pollinators
It is relatively tolerant of dry conditions once established and performs particularly well in sunny locations.
9. Euonymus
Euonymus offers excellent evergreen structure and comes in a wide range of forms.
Variegated varieties can be particularly useful for brightening darker areas of a garden.
Points of interest:
- Evergreen foliage
- Green and variegated varieties
- Excellent winter structure
- Can be used for hedging or individual shrubs
- Generally low maintenance
10. Cistus
Cistus, or rock rose, is an excellent option for particularly sunny and dry areas.
It produces delicate flowers during summer, often in shades of white or pink, above attractive evergreen foliage.
Points of interest:
- Excellent drought tolerance once established
- Evergreen foliage
- Attractive summer flowers
- Ideal for Mediterranean-style planting
- Low maintenance
Cistus is particularly well suited to free-draining soils and sunny borders.
11. Trachycarpus fortunei – Windmill Palm
For a more architectural look, a Windmill Palm can make a fantastic focal point.
Unlike many palms associated with warmer climates, Trachycarpus fortunei is well suited to the UK and can tolerate cold temperatures once established.
Points of interest:
- Evergreen architectural foliage
- Creates a tropical feel
- Hardy in many UK gardens
- Excellent focal point
- Can tolerate periods of dry weather once established
A palm can completely change the character of a garden and works particularly well alongside grasses, lavender and other Mediterranean-style planting.
12. Phormium – New Zealand Flax
Phormiums are excellent architectural plants for contemporary and low-maintenance gardens.
Their long, strap-like leaves create strong shapes and can provide interest throughout the year.
Points of interest:
- Evergreen foliage
- Architectural form
- Available in green, bronze and variegated forms
- Excellent focal plant
- Tolerates dry conditions once established
Phormiums work particularly well when planted individually rather than overcrowded within a border.
13. Yucca
Yucca is another excellent choice for a sunny, drought-tolerant garden.
Its stiff, sword-shaped leaves provide strong architectural interest and can contrast beautifully with softer shrubs and ornamental grasses.
Points of interest:
- Evergreen foliage
- Very drought tolerant once established
- Architectural appearance
- Attractive tall flower spikes
- Excellent low-maintenance choice
Yucca prefers plenty of sun and free-draining soil.
14. Cordyline australis – Cabbage Palm
Cordyline australis is another plant that can bring a distinctly architectural, almost tropical appearance to a UK garden.
Its narrow leaves form a distinctive crown above a slender trunk.
Points of interest:
- Evergreen foliage
- Strong architectural shape
- Creates a tropical feel
- Tolerates dry conditions once established
- Can become a striking specimen plant
Cordylines can work particularly well as standalone focal points or planted among lower-growing shrubs.
Choosing the Right Drought-Tolerant Plants
Drought tolerance doesn’t mean plants can simply be planted and forgotten.
Newly planted shrubs and trees still require regular watering while their root systems establish. Good soil preparation and mulching can also make a significant difference by helping retain moisture around the roots.
When choosing plants, consider:
☀️ Position: Most drought-tolerant plants prefer plenty of sunlight.
💧 Drainage: Many drought-tolerant plants dislike sitting in wet soil, particularly during winter.
🌱 Soil: Good soil preparation helps plants establish strong root systems.
📏 Mature size: Always check the eventual height and spread before planting.
🐝 Wildlife: Flowers, berries and seed heads can provide valuable food and habitat for insects and birds.
🍂 Year-round interest: Combining evergreen shrubs with flowering plants and architectural specimens can create a garden that remains attractive throughout the seasons.
Creating a Mediterranean-Style, Low-Maintenance Garden
Drought-tolerant planting doesn’t have to look dry or boring.
Combining plants such as lavender, Hebe, Nandina, Ceanothus, Pittosporum, Elaeagnus, Phormium, Yucca and Windmill Palms can create a contemporary Mediterranean-style garden with different heights, textures and colours.
Architectural plants such as palms, Yuccas and Cordylines can provide focal points, while lower-growing shrubs and flowering plants soften the planting scheme.
Adding a suitable mulch can also help reduce evaporation and suppress weeds.
The key is choosing the right plant for the right location rather than simply choosing plants because they are labelled “drought tolerant”.
Looking for Professional Garden Maintenance in Milton Keynes?
At Platinum Garden Care, we help homeowners create and maintain attractive, practical gardens throughout Milton Keynes and the surrounding areas.
From shrub pruning and planting to lawn care, border maintenance and general garden maintenance, our team can help you keep your garden looking its best throughout the year.
Looking for advice on which drought-tolerant plants would work best in your garden? Get in touch with Platinum Garden Care for a free, no-obligation quote.