The Dry Garden

To plan a dry garden, you firstly need to figure out how well your gardens current conditions will support this style of planting and landscaping. A dry garden doesn't rely on rainwater and irrigation to survive. Instead, plants are chosen for their drought-tolerance.

In order to successfully support the establishment many dry garden plants your soil needs to be fairly free draining throughout the year You should avoid or improve areas where water naturally sits, particularly in clay soils. If improving the structure is not practical then garden containers can be incorporated as an alternative.

Choosing your plants

It is essential to choose Hardy plants with a low water requirement so it is a good idea to take inspiration from Mediterranean gardens as this will enable you to choose plants that are natural partners and look right together. A sensible option is to choose a mix of more hardy long lived species such as olive trees because they will add permanence and structure when planted with a mix of shorter-lived perennials and annuals. You should be prepared to replace some shorter-lived species on a regular basis, this will also keep your design fresh and varied.

Primarily consider shape and texture for year-round interest because flowering can be short lived and the incorporation of containers will enable colour to be added at certain times of year for instant impact.

Planting trees can add structure but should be positioned carefully as dry gardens should primarily be open and sunny, but when used effectively a little shade can work well in terms of developing the range of plants that can be grown.

Ornamental grasses are a great way of adding movement and softness to your plantings and look amazing in the evening light levels of golden hour.

Planting

The key to success is to grow your plants lean with very little feeding and be careful not to overly enrich the soil when planting. You should also water sparingly until they are established and then try to leave them to develop their own drought tolerance. You should encourage your plants to develop long roots and the best way to do this is to start small as they are more likely to send out longer and stronger roots. When planting, try to break up the soil as much as possible to allow roots room to spread out.

Watering

Water only occasionally because regular watering will encourage weak and shallow roots. When you do water, you should thoroughly soak the soil to encourage plants to form deeper roots.

Surface coverings

Stones and gravel are central to your dry garden. It can be used around plants, to cover pathways and areas for seating. Getting this balance right between plants and stone is an essential characteristic of Mediterranean gardening.

We have a selection of plants for dry gardens instore