Top 5... drought-loving low growers

Creeping mats will provide carpets of flowers

Dianthus ‘Starburst’

Low mounds of silvery-blue leaves are covered in highly fragrant, two-toned -toned flowers from late spring. Tip: Remove faded flowers to maintain intain a good display From: www.suttons.co.uk, tel: 0844 326 2200

Geranium sessiliflorumfl ‘Nigricans’

A creeping carpet of bronze leaves, studdedudded with small, white flowers. Full sunun or part shade in well-drained soil. Tip: Dark foliage kept if seed-raised From: www.bethchatto.co.uk, tel:el: 01206 822007

Sedum cauticola ‘Lidakense’

This trailing, hardy succulent has blue-green leaves, with pink flowers from late summer. Likes welldrained soils in sunny spots. Tip: Also try it in pots and troughs From: www.pottertons.co.uk, tel: 01472 851714

Cotula hispida

A dainty mat-former with silver, evergreen foliage. Yellow, button flowers from late spring. Tip: Avoid heavy clay or wet soils From: www.icealpines.co.uk, tel: 01299 269219

Thymusy doerflerifl ‘Bressingham’

Spring-flowering thyme producing mats of aromatic foliage. Plant in full sun in well-drained soil. Tip: Use scented foliage as a culinary herb From: www.boundarynursery.co.uk, tel: 01487 842611