Perennials If this seems dreary, consider all the wonderful perennials that thrive in drier conditions. Structural and spiky Eryngiums, the spires of a deep purple Salvia superba, clouds of Verbena boranensis or the wonderful V. canadensis creeping over a wall.
Perovskia atriplicifolia, Russian sage, will add a cloud mauve and give height in the border. If it is hot colours you crave then plant the bold yellows and red of Achillea 'Coronation Gold', daylily Hemerocallis 'Kent's Favourite', or the Canna x generalis cultivars such as 'Brandywine' and 'Lucifer' which require watering at the root only in truly scorching weather.
The list goes on. Nepeta (the catmints), dianthus, helianthemums (the tiny rock roses), bergenia, verbascum, Sisyrinchium striatum and scabious all love hot and dry conditions.
Bulbs If you have space for bulbs then include autumn flowering Nerines in shocking pink, white and brick red. Watsonias will give early summer colour in spires of white, peach and red, but take care as they are a thug!
Alliums and bearded iris love a summer baking and will brighten your borders with splashes of blue, magenta, buff and yellow in November. Little Cyclamen hederfolium, loving a summer baking, will produce pink or white flowers followed by marvellous marbled foliage in the autumn.
Succulents and Cacti There are whole range of cacti and succulents available today; echeverias, sedums, aloe and more. For real drama try the architectural dragon tree, draceona draco.
Roses For many gardeners roses are a must in the garden. Choose roses can handle drier conditions, such as the many tough rugosas. Some small roses such as 'Nozomi', 'The Fairy', and species, such as Rosa glauca, seem to handle dry conditions better than their highly bred cousins. Prepare the soil well and mulch, mulch and mulch.
Shade trees Your summer garden will benefit from the shade trees and there are many that will grow happily, once established, without needing extra water. The silk tree, Albizzia julibrissin creates a wonderful dappled shade with tufts of pink flowers carried along the tops of the branches in summer. Useful near an outdoor living area the silk tree closes up its leaves when darkness falls.
Lagerstroemia indica, the Crape myrtle, beloved of hot southern USA gardens, is another tree that does not need watering once established. The satiny trunk invites you to stroke it and the flowers in white, pink or magenta appear in late summer. Buddlejas are so easy they are a weed in many cities (banned in some areas!), will tolerate dry conditions and the scented white, lavender or deep purple flowers are carried in spikes and will turn your garden into a haven for butterflies and bees.
The judas tree Cercis siliquastrum and its relatives C. chinensis and C. canadensis, enjoy dry summers and will give you cerise flowers each spring and wonderful colourful foliage in autumn.
Look Again So look again when you are next at the plant centre or nursery, and leave the lush hostas and moisture loving rhododendrons, and the water-gluttons. Spend more time enjoying your garden in summer, and less worrying about the water meter!
