With the Met Office predicting that hot spells are likely to become more frequent in the futur, especially across southeast England, and temperatures expected to rise in every season, many gardeners are already feeling the effects of longer dry periods and increased heat. Add in the hosepipe bans* introduced in several parts of the UK, and it’s clear that our gardens are having to adapt to a changing climate. As a result, keeping outdoor spaces healthy and thriving now requires a little more thought and planning than ever before.
*New planting and lawns can be watered using a hosepipe for twenty-eight days. New trees and hedging can be watered if planted within the last three years. Drip irrigation systems are allowed. This is something we can install as part of your soft landscaping project.
Choose plants that can cope with dry conditions
One of the most effective long-term solutions is to select plants naturally adapted to heat and lower rainfall. Mediterranean and drought-tolerant plants generally require much less water once established than thirstier favourites. The RHS recommends choosing plants suited to your soil, sunlight levels and local conditions, rather than relying on regular watering. Please note that ALL plants will need regular watering until they are fully established.
Popular drought-tolerant options include:
Agapanthus (African Lily) – A striking South African perennial known for its tall stems topped with large, spherical clusters of trumpet‑shaped blue, purple, or white flowers that bloom from mid‑ to late summer.
Ceanothus (California Lilac) – most Ceanothus are drought tolerant once established. They naturally come from dry, sunny habitats and are well adapted to summer drought. Please note, they are not drought tolerant during their first year and need regular watering while roots establish.
Eucalyptus gunnii ‘Azura’ (Cider Gum) – A distinctive evergreen tree renowned for its aromatic foliage, attractive bark and more compact growth habit. Young leaves appear round and silvery before transforming into lance shaped greyish blue-green leaves, contrasting with the silvery-grey peeling bark. Small white, fragrant flowers appear mid-summer into autumn. Height 8m Spread 4m. Protect from cold drying winds.
Ficus carica (Figs) – this deciduous tree or shrub is renowned for their delicious and unique fruits coming in a range of shapes, colours, and flavours. This fig has pear shaped fruit that ripens to shades of green and purple. Large, lobed green leaves and grey bark provide ornamental appeal as a feature plant in the garden. Grow in well drained or moist but well drained soil in a sheltered position. Full sun.
Choisya × dewitteana White Dazzler (Mexican Blossom) – This highly fragrant evergreen shrub is a useful addition to any garden. Mound forming this neat shrub is exceptionally free flowering in spring and often late summer into autumn. Height and Spread 1 metre. Grow in a sunny sheltered aspect on well drained soil.
Lavandula angustifolia (English Lavender) – One of the most popular and reliable lavender varieties for UK gardens. It’s prized for its fragrant purple flowers, silvery-green foliage, and excellent drought tolerance once established making it a great choice for gardens adapting to hotter, drier summers.
Oenothera lindheimeri ‘Elurra’ – A graceful, long-flowering perennial known for its airy habit and delicate, butterfly-like blooms. From early summer through to autumn, it produces slender, wiry stems topped with small white flowers flushed with soft pink that flutter in the slightest breeze, creating a light, natural movement in the garden. Its loose, clump-forming growth and narrow green foliage make it ideal for mixed borders where softness and movement are desired. Thriving in full sun and well-drained soil, Gaura ‘Whirling Butterflies’ is drought tolerant once established and highly attractive to bees and other pollinators throughout the season.
Olea europaea (Olive Tree) – These are among the best choices for drought-resistant planting. They evolved in the Mediterranean climate, where summers are hot and dry and rainfall is often limited. Once established (usually after 2–3 years), olive trees can survive long periods with little supplemental watering due to their deep root systems and drought-adapted leaves.
Phormium ‘Golden Ray’ (New Zealand Flax) – An evergreen perennial known for its vibrant, architectural foliage. This New Zealand flax variety features long, sword-shaped leaves with a bright golden-yellow centre stripe bordered by green, creating a bold statement in the garden. Its upright, clumping habit adds height and texture. Drought-tolerant once established, ‘Golden Ray’ is perfect for borders or containers. Its striking foliage makes it a versatile choice for adding year-round interest and structure to the garden. Grow in well drained soil in full sun.
Rosmarinus officinalis (Rosemary) – Rosemary thrives in full sun and well drained soil. Once established, rosemary is drought tolerant and prefers slightly dry soil.
Salvia ‘Animo’ – Salvia ‘Animo’ is a compact and free-flowering perennial that brings vibrant colour to borders and containers. Producing an abundance of rich blue flower spikes from early summer through to autumn, it provides a long-lasting display that is highly attractive to bees and other pollinators. Its neat, bushy habit and aromatic green foliage make it an excellent choice. Thriving in full sun and well-drained soil, it is easy to grow, drought tolerant once established, and requires minimal maintenance. Salvia ‘Animo’ delivers reliable colour and garden performance throughout the season.
Styphnolobium japonicum (Japanese Pagoda Tree) – this is considered an excellent climate‑change‑resilient tree because it tolerates heat, drought, urban pollution, and poor soils better than many traditional street trees. These traits make it especially valuable for future UK and European urban planting as temperatures rise and rainfall patterns become more erratic.
Yucca rostrata (Beaked Yucca) – Yucca rostrata is a slow-growing evergreen admired for its architectural form and dramatic, spiky foliage. It produces a dense rosette of slender, blue-green leaves that fan out from a sturdy trunk, creating a bold, sculptural presence in the garden. In summer, tall spikes of creamy-white, bell-shaped flowers rise above the foliage, attracting pollinators and adding seasonal interest. Hardy and drought-tolerant once established, Yucca rostrata thrives in full sun with well-drained soil, making it ideal for borders, gravel gardens, or as a standout specimen. Its sculptural form, resilience, and architectural beauty bring an exotic feel to any garden.
Mulch, mulch, mulch
Applying a generous layer of organic mulch, such as compost, bark chippings or well-rotted manure, is one of the most effective ways to help your garden cope with hot, dry weather. Mulch helps the soil retain moisture, keeps roots cool during heatwaves, and suppresses weeds that would otherwise compete with plants for valuable water. As an added bonus, organic mulches gradually improve soil structure as they break down, helping it hold onto moisture for longer.
Improve your soil
Healthy soil is one of a garden’s best defences against drought. Rich in organic matter, it acts like a natural sponge, absorbing rainfall and holding onto moisture for longer, helping plants stay hydrated during dry spells. Regular additions of compost, leaf mould or well-rotted manure improve soil structure, boost its water-retention capacity and encourage stronger root growth. These improvements are particularly valuable in sandy or chalky soils, which tend to drain quickly and dry out faster in hot weather.
Water smarter
When watering is needed:
- Water deeply and less frequently
- Water early in the morning or late in the evening
- Direct water to the base of plants
- Prioritise new plants and containers
Deep watering encourages roots to grow further down into the soil, making plants more resilient in future heatwaves.
Create shade and cooling
Trees, shrubs and climbers help create cooler microclimates within the garden.
- Planting small ornamental trees such as Cercis canadensis (Eastern Redbud)
- Roof pleaches (Umbrella pleach)
- Using pergolas with climbers
- Incorporating hedges and layered planting.
These features help protect more vulnerable plants from intense afternoon sun and reduce overall heat stress.
Gardens of the Future
The gardens that flourish in the decades ahead are likely to look a little different to those of today; designed with a changing climate in mind and filled with resilient, drought-tolerant plants that can cope with hotter, drier summers. Rich, healthy soils, clever rainwater harvesting and thoughtful planting schemes will help create landscapes that are both beautiful and better equipped for extreme weather. Rather than viewing heatwaves as an annual gardening headache, they can be seen as an opportunity to rethink our outdoor spaces, creating gardens that are not only more sustainable and wildlife-friendly, but also perfectly suited to a warmer future.
Need ideas and advice for your garden project? The first step is a visit to The Big Plant Nursery for inspiration where our plant experts are on hand to help 7 days a week.