Create a beautiful, wildlife-friendly, climate resilient border for a sunny garden with dry, well-drained soil.
The Dry Garden is a downloadable PDF planting blueprint from The Gardener’s Lodge, bringing together drought-tolerant planting, naturalistic design and practical ways to support biodiversity.
Soft grasses, silver foliage and flowers in pink, purple and white create a border full of texture, movement and seasonal interest. A carefully chosen mix of UK native and non-native plants provides food and shelter for wildlife, with value extending beyond the flowering season.
What size garden is it designed for?
The planting plan covers a 5 m long × 2 m deep border — a total of 10 m². You can recreate the complete scheme, use it to refresh an existing bed, or take inspiration from its plant combinations for another sunny part of your garden.
For a longer border, repeat the planting scheme lengthways. The blueprint recommends using the hawthorn once as a feature tree, then using its position in additional sections for wildlife features such as a bird bath, small pond or log pile. In a smaller garden, the tree can be treated as optional.
How many plants are included?
The full scheme contains 39 individual plants across 12 species, combining:
A labelled planting plan and shopping list show which plants to buy, how many you need and where to position them.
Where can you use this dry garden planting plan?
This scheme is designed for full sun and free-draining soil, particularly where borders dry out quickly or struggle to retain moisture.
It can suit sunny front gardens, back garden borders, planting beside patios and warm walls, and suitable sandy, gravelly or stony soils. It is especially useful if you want a drought-resistant garden border with less dependence on regular watering once established.
The design can be used in suitable gardens across England: your site conditions matter more than your postcode. Choose a sunny position with good drainage throughout the year, and check individual plant suitability in particularly cold or exposed locations. Heavy soil that becomes waterlogged in winter will need a different approach.
New plants will still need watering while their roots establish, and occasional support may be necessary during prolonged drought.
Designed for a changing climate
A more resilient garden starts with choosing plants that suit its conditions. The Dry Garden brings together plants selected to cope with periods of summer dryness once established, helping you create a beautiful, wildlife-friendly border with less reliance on regular watering.
The blueprint goes beyond plant selection, with guidance on protecting soil, conserving moisture and collecting rainwater - practical habits that help prepare your garden before dry weather arrives.
Good drainage remains essential, particularly through wetter winters. In a sunny, well-drained position, this scheme offers a practical starting point for gardening with a changing climate while continuing to provide food and habitat for wildlife.
What’s included in the PDF?
An illustrated garden design and labelled planting layout.
A complete plant shopping list with quantities.
Individual plant profiles.
A seasonal interest and wildlife calendar.
Biodiversity gardening principles and habitat ideas.
Practical planting and maintenance guidance.
Advice on preparing for drought, managing moisture and storing rainwater.
Use it as a complete border design, a starting point for a larger planting scheme, or a practical guide to choosing plants and caring for a dry garden with wildlife in mind.
Digital PDF download only. Plants, materials and installation are not included.
Create a beautiful, wildlife-friendly, climate resilient border for a sunny garden with dry, well-drained soil.
The Dry Garden is a downloadable PDF planting blueprint from The Gardener’s Lodge, bringing together drought-tolerant planting, naturalistic design and practical ways to support biodiversity.
Soft grasses, silver foliage and flowers in pink, purple and white create a border full of texture, movement and seasonal interest. A carefully chosen mix of UK native and non-native plants provides food and shelter for wildlife, with value extending beyond the flowering season.
What size garden is it designed for?
The planting plan covers a 5 m long × 2 m deep border — a total of 10 m². You can recreate the complete scheme, use it to refresh an existing bed, or take inspiration from its plant combinations for another sunny part of your garden.
For a longer border, repeat the planting scheme lengthways. The blueprint recommends using the hawthorn once as a feature tree, then using its position in additional sections for wildlife features such as a bird bath, small pond or log pile. In a smaller garden, the tree can be treated as optional.
How many plants are included?
The full scheme contains 39 individual plants across 12 species, combining:
A labelled planting plan and shopping list show which plants to buy, how many you need and where to position them.
Where can you use this dry garden planting plan?
This scheme is designed for full sun and free-draining soil, particularly where borders dry out quickly or struggle to retain moisture.
It can suit sunny front gardens, back garden borders, planting beside patios and warm walls, and suitable sandy, gravelly or stony soils. It is especially useful if you want a drought-resistant garden border with less dependence on regular watering once established.
The design can be used in suitable gardens across England: your site conditions matter more than your postcode. Choose a sunny position with good drainage throughout the year, and check individual plant suitability in particularly cold or exposed locations. Heavy soil that becomes waterlogged in winter will need a different approach.
New plants will still need watering while their roots establish, and occasional support may be necessary during prolonged drought.
Designed for a changing climate
A more resilient garden starts with choosing plants that suit its conditions. The Dry Garden brings together plants selected to cope with periods of summer dryness once established, helping you create a beautiful, wildlife-friendly border with less reliance on regular watering.
The blueprint goes beyond plant selection, with guidance on protecting soil, conserving moisture and collecting rainwater - practical habits that help prepare your garden before dry weather arrives.
Good drainage remains essential, particularly through wetter winters. In a sunny, well-drained position, this scheme offers a practical starting point for gardening with a changing climate while continuing to provide food and habitat for wildlife.
What’s included in the PDF?
An illustrated garden design and labelled planting layout.
A complete plant shopping list with quantities.
Individual plant profiles.
A seasonal interest and wildlife calendar.
Biodiversity gardening principles and habitat ideas.
Practical planting and maintenance guidance.
Advice on preparing for drought, managing moisture and storing rainwater.
Use it as a complete border design, a starting point for a larger planting scheme, or a practical guide to choosing plants and caring for a dry garden with wildlife in mind.
Digital PDF download only. Plants, materials and installation are not included.
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