With the heat of the summer just kicking in, here's our list of the right plants for drought conditions.

Saving water is an everyday maintenance issue high on the list of almost every Australian household. Many of the plants below have special adaptations to avoid excessive moisture loss and will thrive under a 'less-is-more' watering pattern.

Troubleshooting

• In low rainfall areas, plant in late autumn or early winter.
• Young plants will need water in any sudden heat of spring or summer until established.
• Incorporate as much organic matter as possible to increase water holding capacity and fertility.
• Mulching is essential.
• Consider a windbreak where winds are hot and drying.
• Keep lawns to a minimum and shade the house with pergolas and vines.

Botanical name	Common name
Perennials
Agapanthus spp. Catharanthus roseus Cerastium tomentosum Convolvulus mauritanicus Dietes bicolor D. grandiffora Euphorbia characias wulfenii Gaillardia spp. Gazania hybrids Kniphofia spp. Limonium sinuatum Nepeta cataria Osteospermum spp. Pelargonium cultivars Yucca spp.	Agapanthus Madagascar periwinkle Snow-in-summer Ground morning glory Fortnight lily Wild iris Gaillardias Gazania Red hot poker; torch lily Statice Catmint African daisy Pelargonium Yucca
Shrubs and climbers
Abelia grandiflora Acacia conferta A. cultriformis A. myrtifolia Bougainvillea spp. Cassia artemisioides Coleonema pulchrum Cotoneaster spp. Cuphea ignea Duranta repens Eremophila maculata Escallonia macrantha Euonymus japonicas Grevillea ilicifolia G. juncifolia G. lavendulacea G. rosmarinifolia Hardenbergia violacea Jasminum mesneyi Lantana montevidensis Lavendula dentata Myoporum debile M. montanum M. parvifolium Nerium oleander Pittosporum tobira Plumbago auriculata Polygala myrtifolia Raphiolepis indica Rhagodia nutans Rosmarinus officinalis Sabina vulgaris Santofina chamaecyparissus Spartium junceum Trachelospermum jasminoides Westringia fruticosa	Glossy abelia Golden top Knife-leaf wattle Myrtle wattle Bougainvillea Silver cassia Pink diosma Cotoneaster Cigar plant Pigeon berry Spotted emu-bush Escallonia Euonymus Holly grevillea Lavender grevillea Rosemary grevillea Purple coral pea Primrose jasmine Trailing lantana French lavender Amulla Water bush Creeping boobialla Oleander Japanese pittosporum Plumbago Sweet pea shrub Indian hawthorn Nodding saltbush Rosemary Savin juniper Cotton lavender Spanish broom Star jasmine Coast rosemary
Trees
Acacia aneura A. cardiophylla A. pendula A. pycnantha A. spectabilis Brachychiton populneum Callitris glaucophylla Casuarina cristata C. Decaisneana Cercis siliquastrum Chamaerops humilis Eucalyptus calycogona E. camaldulensis E. forrestiana E. leucoxylon E. polybractea E. populnea Flindersia maculosa Fraxinus oxycarpa Geijera parviflora Grevillea robusta Melaleuca armillaris Melia azedarach Myoporum insulare Olea africana O. europaea Phoenix canariensis P. dactylifera Pittosporum phillyreoides Robinia pseudoacacia Schinus molle Tamarix parviflora	Mulga Wyalong wattle Weeping myall Golden wattle Mudgee wattle Kurrajong White cypress pine Belah Desert she-oak Judas tree European fan palm Black mallee River red gum Fuchsia gum Yellow gum Blue-leaved mallee Bimble box Leopard tree Claret ash Wilga Silky oak Bracelet honey myrtle White cedar Boobialla Wild olive Fruiting olive Canary island date palm Date palm False acacia Peppercorn tree Flowering cypress

Pictured above is Raphiolepis indica.

Source:Gardening Made Easy (Murdoch Books)