Drought tolerant conifer plants
Drought tolerant conifers are usually native to dry regions such as the Mediterranean, having evolved to survive through extended periods with little or no rainfall. They are perfect for dry, sunny borders, perhaps on a sandy soil, in spots that receive no shade throughout the day or simply in the hotter, drier southern parts of the UK. These conifer plants will work well in low-maintenance planting schemes such as gravel or rock gardens. They also help make your gardening life easier by cutting out much of the back-breaking watering work, as they’ll need a drink much less frequently than their more thirsty counterparts.
Pine conifer plants are perhaps the most obvious drought tolerant choice with their long, narrow, needle-like foliage in shades of green, blue or gold. There are a wide range of shapes and sizes available from the tiny dwarf Pinus Mugo Mops, scarcely reaching more than 50cm tall to the Scots Pine, Pinus sylvestris, which will top out at 12+ metres tall. The majority of Pinus conifers we sell for ornamental use are dwarf or smaller growing varieties that provide year-round colour and structure whilst being low maintenance and easy to grow. Juniper conifers are another good choice again with small, narrow, needle-like foliage, best known for their use in gin-making. Juniper are well-loved evergreens, perfect for brightening up the winter garden, producing masses of fleshy, aromatic, berry-like cones.