Plants for Dry Banks 

Planting on dry banks need not be a problem.  There are many plants that can grow in dry  situations once they get established. They will need added attention; i.e. watering for maybe a year or so. You could also install a drip/seep line to help in the short term. Plants which will be happy include Lavenders, the low growing Cotoneasters or Hypericum calycinum ( if you want a single plant regime.) Rosemary and the herb Salvias (sages) will also thrive. Some taller plants will include the Berberis family. If the bank is sunny, then try varieties of Cistus (rock rose). 

There are also many alpine or rockery plants which will suit - particularly the sedum group. Erigeron is also a good plant for this situation. Dianthus (Pinks) will do well, as will the colourful Osteospermum and many of the campanulas. Senecio (Brachyglottis), is good, but cut back after flowering each year.

Planting and Care.

Establishment of the young or transplanted shrubs and perennials is important. You cannot simply plant young plants in a dry area such as a garden bank, and not expect to have to care for them for at least the first season.

Dry banks rarely have good fertility - either because of the nutrients washing easily from the bank, or because the bank has been made up over several years with unwanted garden soil and the like.

At planting time, include some peat or other moisture retentive organic matter into the planting hole. Water retentive gel is also a good idea. It's addition really will hold whatever moisture that is available next to the plant root zone. Addition of a good long last fertiliser will also be beneficial. Osmocote will be suitable for this, and get the plant off to a good start after planting.

After planting on your dry bank, help the plants to get established with watering when necessary - always bearing in mind that the bank is dry mainly because rain water washes off easily. The rest of the garden might be moist for a few days after rain fall, but the same is rarely true of bank areas.

When laying out the plants in their planting positions, don't forget that many will need a bit of pruning in most cases. Try to plant them in 'sectors' with space between to allow for access - both for weeding and pruning.

Most of the Campanulas are suitable for dry banks and any other dry areas in the garden - Sunny or shaded.

There is a tendency to plant ow growing shrubs or perennials on banks, but there is much to be gained from planting a few items that have height. Campanula lactiflora suits this idea, but simply might need a little support through the summer months.

Brachyglottis (Senecio) greyii 'Sunshine' will do well in any dry and preferably sunny area. It will  give years of service - especially if cut back quite hard after flowering in mid-summer.