In some regions, months follow one another without a drop of rain; drought sets in and plants that are not adapted must be watered at the risk of perishing. Others, on the contrary, are perfectly adapted to it. This is the case of the 10 plants we are going to present to you, which can resist several months without water.
1. The bulbine
Appreciating well-drained and dry soils, the bulbine (Bulbine frutescens) is a succulent plant native to South Africa which belongs to the Liliaceae family. The well greened foliage forms a shaggy tuft from which a long flower spike escapes carrying orange-yellow flowers from May to November. This plant is ideal in Mediterranean gardens where its low resistance to frost will not be a major concern. It can be planted as well in flowerbeds accompanied by grasses, in beds with annuals or in rock gardens exposed to full sun.
2. Arctotis
An ideal plant for Mediterranean gardens, Arctotis is neither sensitive to disease nor to parasites. It is frost-free and should only be planted in well-sheltered gardens and in well-drained soil exposed to full sun. In these conditions, it will quickly form a clump of 40 cm in all directions with very cut greyish green foliage. The flowers, similar to big daisies, offer their dazzling colors from April to October. White, yellow, orange, pink, red, the fireworks brighten up the slopes, the rock gardens but also the beds.
3. The euphorbia of the scrubland
Euphorbia characias is a plant that grows spontaneously throughout the western Mediterranean. Its narrow and slender stems carry bluish leaves which are used as case to splendid inflorescences green apple acidulous. This plant is appreciated for its graphics and its capacity to structure the decoration in the beds. Imposing (nearly 1m in all directions), it knows how to magnify the most classic scenes. Rustic provided that the soil is very well drained, it supports full sun as well as half-shade, dresses up slopes, rock gardens and supports the lack of water in the very long term.
4. The orpin
If we had to recommend a plant to all gardeners, it would be this one! Sedum spectabile, the garden thorn, is easy to grow in all areas because it is very hardy. Tolerant of all types of soil as long as they are dry and well drained, it is never affected by pests or diseases. Growing up to 70 cm in all directions, it is a charming border plant, and provides a show in the beds at the end of the season (August to October) thanks to its pink, white or purple inflorescences, depending on the cultivar.
5. Bergenia
A must in the garden for decades, this rhizomatous plant with large green foliage, then bronze and finally red in autumn, tolerates both half-shade and full sun, cold and heat, rain and drought, poor and fertile soils as long as they do not retain too much water. In spring, the bergenia is covered with pink bouquets revealing a delicate perfume. Its trailing stems allow it to be used as a ground cover in all difficult areas or in borders. It also works wonderfully in pots on the balcony and is well suited to beds and rock gardens.
6. Ficoides
All members of the Aizoaceae family, many species of succulents native to South Africa are hidden under the word 'Ficoides'. Perfect as ground cover, they sometimes take on a rounded habit and are covered with daisy-like flowers in remarkable colors. Flashy pink or orange, white, yellow, red, intense purple and there you have it, your rock gardens, rip-rap, embankments and low walls will be adorned all season long without requiring any maintenance. However, in order for these beautiful flowers to bloom, a full southern exposure, sun and heat are necessary. Beware of frost which destroys them from -5°C.
7. The Jerusalem sage
Phlomis fructuosa, the Jerusalem sage forms a bush with woolly green/greyish leaves of nearly 1,50 m in all directions. In May-June, this beautiful plant, which is very tolerant of cold (up to -15°C) and drought, is adorned with yellow flowers borne in tiers along its upright stems, which gives it a very original look. It is an excellent bedding plant, but it also likes fallow land or rock gardens, where it is visited by many pollinating insects. A poor, sandy soil and a warm and sunny situation are necessary for its culture.
8. Cape daisy
This plant also known under its Latin name 'Osteopermum' forms beautiful cushions covered with daisy-like flowers from May to October and even in winter in the mildest regions. The full sun is necessary for the opening of its petals, which the plant keeps jealously closed if the weather is not good. Ephemeral, the flowers last only one day, but are very quickly replaced by the multitudes of floral buttons which do not cease blooming. Not very tolerant to the cold (-5°C), it will be considered only in the softest zones and in a very well drained ground.
9. The lavender
Cultivated in vast fields that it covers with its incomparable bluish hue, lavender is a cult plant, symbol of the hills of Provence. Its unique fragrance, its graphic design, its hardiness, its ability to attract pollinating insects and its medicinal virtues make it an indispensable plant in any self-respecting garden. In full sun, of course, in very well drained or even stony soil, it gives its best at the edge of a path or a bed, but also on slopes or in mixed borders.
10. The maritime cineraria
Cinereria maritima, the maritime cineraria forms a bush with silvery foliage very cut out of 60 cm in all directions. The golden yellow flower heads follow one another from May to July, perfectly adorning rock gardens or very sunny slopes. Xerophile, it tolerates perfectly the lack of water and appreciates a poor, dry and stony ground. A plantation in the gardens in edge of sea is completely conceivable since it fears neither the spray nor the drying wind. Hardy to -10°C, its foliage is nevertheless damaged by small frosts. It is thus to be reserved for the hot and dry areas of the country.
