Water-wise garden: plant combinations that need (almost) no watering

Saving water without sacrificing beauty

Water shortages are becoming more frequent. Hosepipe bans are already common in some regions. Fortunately, a water-wise garden need not look parched or dull. With plants from Mediterranean, steppe and prairie regions you create a garden that buzzes with life — without the sprinkler.

Upload your photo at gardenworld.app and discover how water-wise planting would look in your situation.

Combination 1: Silvery grey and purple

Lavandula angustifolia 'Munstead' (lavender, 45 cm, purple), Artemisia ludoviciana 'Silver Queen' (western mugwort, 70 cm, silvery grey foliage) and Salvia officinalis 'Purpurascens' (purple sage, 50 cm).

All three have silvery-grey leaves that reflect sunlight and limit moisture loss. The colour combination of silver-purple-grey is elegant and merges into a Mediterranean whole that needs almost no water.

Combination 2: Succulent carpet

Sedum album (white stonecrop, 10 cm, ground cover), Sedum rupestre 'Angelina' (golden stonecrop, 15 cm) and Delosperma cooperi (ice plant, 10 cm, magenta flowers).

On a dry, sunny spot these succulents form a colourful carpet that flowers for months. They even grow on a thin layer of soil on a flat roof or in wide joints between paving.

Combination 3: Prairie grass and perennials

Bouteloua gracilis (blue grama grass, 30 cm, unique sideoats), Achillea millefolium 'Paprika' (yarrow, 60 cm, red ageing to pink) and Gaura lindheimeri (beeblossom, 80 cm, white butterfly flowers).

Prairie plants evolved in dry conditions. They bloom for a long time, attract butterflies and stand firm in heat. Blue grama is a gem: the lateral seed heads look like tiny caterpillars.

Combination 4: Modern gravel garden

Eryngium bourgatii (Mediterranean sea holly, 40 cm, blue-silver), Verbena bonariensis (tall verbena, 150 cm, purple clusters) and Stipa tenuissima (feather grass, 50 cm).

Plant in a bed of pale grey gravel with large boulders scattered here and there. The plants self-sow into the gravel and within a few years create a natural-looking landscape that needs virtually no maintenance.

Mulching is the key

Cover the soil with 5-7 cm of gravel or stone chippings. This limits evaporation, keeps roots cool and suppresses weeds. Organic mulch like wood chips also works, but needs topping up annually.

Group plants with the same water needs. Water newly planted specimens regularly in the first year; after that they should fend for themselves.

Your water-wise garden

Saving water and having a beautiful garden — you can have both. Discover at gardenworld.app how water-wise planting could transform your garden.