As rainfall becomes increasingly scarce across parts of the UK, gardeners are being urged to rethink their planting choices, not just for beauty, but for resilience. One popular TikToker, known as @gardenwithjonny, has taken to the platform to share his top picks for drought-tolerant plants that are both stunning and sustainable.
“You’re gonna find this really hard to believe, but in the UK this year, we’ve hardly had any rain at home,” Jonny said in a recent post that’s resonated with green-thumbed Brits. “And while us Brits love to have a good moan about the weather, the truth is, it’s a sign we need to start thinking ahead in our gardens.”
With climate change ushering in longer, hotter, and drier summers, planting with the future in mind is becoming less of a trend and more of a necessity.
Jonny’s video, which has raked in thousands of views on Tiktok, spotlights three of his favourite drought-tolerant stars that not only survive but thrive in dry conditions.
First up is Salvia Caradonna, a striking perennial with deep purple flower spikes.
“Absolutely thrives in the sun,” Jonny said.
“Plus the bees go mad for it.” This salvia isn’t just beautiful, it’s a pollinator magnet and a low-maintenance showstopper for any sunny spot.
Next on the list is Sedum, a well-known succulent that stores water in its thick, fleshy leaves.
“One of my favourites,” he added. “In late summer, you get those lovely flower heads, brilliant for pollinators, and basically bombproof in any drought.”
Rounding out his top three is Lamb’s Ear, or Stachys byzantina, which features soft, silvery foliage that feels like velvet and looks like its namesake.
While it’s often grown for its texture and colour contrast at the front of borders, Jonny said gardeners should not overlook its floral perks that can add colour and beauty to any garden.
“It also throws up lovely little spikes of pinky-purple flowers in the summer.”
So if your garden is looking a bit limp as the temperatures rise and rainfall becomes something to year, these three resilient beauties might just be the key to a thriving, future-proof garden.