Beth Chatto's Gravel Garden Masterclass: 11 Principles for Drought-Resistant Design

In Essex’s driest corner (20 inches annual rainfall), Beth Chatto’s gravel garden—planted 25 years ago on a former car park—proves her mantra: “right plant, right place.” David Ward, who helped create it, now runs study days on drought-resistant gardening. Here are 11 principles for building your own gravel garden from scratch.

1. Soil Prep: Double Digging

Even on poor, stony soil, double-dig to two spits’ depth, incorporate organic matter (spent mushroom compost is best), and rake smooth. Bergenia ‘Miss Crawford’ provides winter flowers and summer foliage.

2. Design: Soft Edges

Beds follow serpentine curves marked with a garden hose for smooth lines.

3. Plant Prep: Hydrate

Submerge pots in water for five minutes before planting. Water in well, create a slight bowl, and mulch with two inches of gravel to suppress weeds and trap moisture. The garden is never watered or fed after establishment.

4. Planting Scheme: Triangles

Plant in triangles using verticals anchored by lower plants—often triangles within larger triangles.

5. Texture Contrast

Contrast spiky shapes (Stipa tenuissima) with softer textures (Eryngium ‘Miss Wilmott’s Ghost’, Allium sphaerocephalon, marjoram).

6. Color Palette: Purple and Yellow

Accents of purple and yellow draw the eye: Genista aetnensis (yellow), verbascums, Verbena rigida (magenta), Bupleurum falcatum, Euphorbia segueriana. Trees cast only light dappled shade.

7. Pastel Pinks

Soft pastels—alstroemeria, annual poppies, bearded iris—add height and self-seed gently.

8. Foliage Focal Points

Agaves planted in early June (post-frost) create silver focal points; everything else is hardy.

9. Shades of Green

Foliage is critical: silvers of Stachys byzantina, Melianthus major, sea kale, santolinas; thymes and marjorams creep or mound with scent.

10. Self-Seeding: Be Selective

Remove offspring of rampant self-seeders (Verbena bonariensis, verbascums, fennel) before they dominate.

11. Deadheading to Extend Season

Cut back phlox, gaura, sedums in late May; trim thyme; leave autumn foliage for winter interest and crown protection.

David Ward’s next gravel garden study day is September 21 (£56, includes lunch). Beth Chatto’s Drought-Resistant Planting is newly reissued (Frances Lincoln, £16.99 / $20.44 Amazon).