Withstanding sandy soils and direct sun for most of the day are demanding conditions in which only the toughest plants will thrive and look good in the long term. This drought-tolerant garden design does just that. The garden was not meant to rely heavily on irrigation, so choosing water-wise plans was a must.
There are plenty of species to choose from Native to your locality or exotic species. When it comes to toughness of exotic species that can be sometimes a problem, because if they also readily seed and germinate, this quality will make them also quite invasive. It’s always good to check, if the plant you are thinking of using, isn’t invasive in your area.
Foot Path Gardening
Verge gardening, which is a great way to increase your street appeal, give you more space for your plans and share the joy with your neighbourhood. See if your council supports verge gardening and has issued a comprehensible guide. You will need to follow some common-sense rules of course. For example, plants can’t be so tall as to prevent visual surveillance while driving. Also, the plants can’t pose any danger to pedestrians. This rules out thorny plants or plants with stiff branches at eye height. When considering these aspects, one shouldn’t also forget to consider children, as they are shorter and more prone to injuries.
If you are looking for plants for a drought-tolerant garden and have sandy soil and a sunny aspect, I would recommend the plants below. Some of them are so water-wise that they will survive in Sydney on rainfall alone. Just don’t forget that all plants need some TLC (tender loving care) and regular watering until their roots are established.
| Common Name | Botanical Name | Sun Aspect | Water Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Zealand Flax | Phormium tenax | full sun, partial shade | moderate |
| Flapjack Plant | Kalanchoe thyrsiflora | full sun, moderate shade | low |
| Purple Fountain Grass | Pennisetum advena ‘Rubrum’ | full sun, partial shade | low |
| Treasure Flower | Gazania ‘Montezuma’ | full sun | low |
| Tree Aeonim | Aeonium arboreum ‘Zwartkopf’ | full sun, partial shade | low |
| Cotton Lavender | Santolina chamaecyparissus | full sun | low |
| Coastal Rosemary | Westringia fruticosa | full sun, partial shade | low |
| Kangaroo Paws | Anigozanthos spp. | full sun, partial shade | low |
| Licorice Plant | Helichrysum petiolare | full sun | low |