Call them what you will, water misers or dry tolerant, recent conditions mean gardeners are seeking out drought-hardy plants. And these survivors aren't all spiky cacti and straggly shrubs. Many of them are as beautiful as they are tough, and they have other advantages, too.

Maintenance demands are often low with very little required in the way of fertilising, and pruning is often just an annual tidy-up. So get to know our top 10 hardy heroes (and see below for creating your own).

1 Teucrium species (see picture above)

With attractive foliage and charming flowers, this is the ideal plant where tolerance of very hot, dry conditions is required. It flowers in blues, pinks and mauves.

2 Euphorbia characias sp. wulfenii

Include this stunning plant for its charming bluey-green foliage and fascinating flower heads. Its chartreuse blooms appear from late winter to spring.

3 Crassula ovata

Often called the Jade tree, use this hardy plant for its foliage appeal and dainty flowering display in winter. Great in pots, too.

4 Ophiopogon species (mondo grass)

Perhaps one of the most useful garden toughies. Use the different varieties for everything from groundcovers to border plantings. Look out for the black and giant variegated varieties to add real interest to your design.

5 Cotyledon species

These succulents tolerate very dry conditions. Look for varieties such as ‘Silver Waves', which has undulating dusty-silver leaves.

6 Euonymus japonicus varieties

Add this plant to the mix when you want year-round colourful foliage impact. The mid-sized forms are excellent for hedging, too. It's grown for its striking variegated foliage.

7 Aeonium arboreum ‘Zwartkop'

With foliage like this who needs flowers? If you want dramatic impact, plant one of these near-black beauties in your garden. Also look for ‘Schwartzkopf' or ‘Atropurpurea'. It bears large cone-shaped spikes of small yellow flowers.

8 Mahonia lomariifolia

A great all-rounder, this plant has an unusual form, beautiful foliage and stunning flowers and berries. It has large spikes of small yellow flowers in winter.

9 Echium

Include when you want a gorgeous flowering feature plant with silvery foliage. Its huge flower spikes, up to 50cm long, covered in tiny purple flowers from late winter.

10 Kniphofia cultivars

Dramatic, often flame-coloured blooms are this plant's claim to fame. Enjoy their spectacular flowering display and handsome, strappy foliage.

Create your own water misers

Just because a plant isn't classed as drought hardy doesn't mean it can't survive dry spells. Follow a few simple steps and you'll find many of your plants will keep on smiling through tough times.

Watering: Apply water slowly, allowing it to penetrate deeply, particularly when establishing new plants. This encourages plants to become deep rooted.

Soil treatments: When planting, improve soil with composts and add pre-soaked water crystals. For established plants, make small holes around the foliage drip-line and drop in water crystals. And, apply liquid or granular soil-wetters at the recommended intervals and rates.

Mulch: The single best way to give your plants the edge in dry times is by mulching them. Mulch when soil is damp, but first broadcast a granulated soil-wetter. Spread mulch to at least 50mm thick and, if possible, water well after spreading.