Growing in gravel not only shows off the plants to best advantage, but it helps prevent weeds as well as conserve moisture around the roots. The plants also benefit from a cool root run in summer. In this pink and purple gravel border combination, sturdy spikes of deliciously fragrant hesperis flowers combine with hazy stems of graceful star-shaped gaura flowers during late spring. They are joined, in June, by dense clusters of saucer-shaped, violet-blue hardy geranium blooms over a carpet of small pink-tinged, daisy-like erigeron flowers. By July, dainty single mauve dianthus flowers and slender spires of pink veronicastrum steal the show.

Planting tip: When planting drought-tolerant plants in very well-drained soil, it is essential to keep them well watered until established. Positioning a short pipe alongside the rootball in the planting hole will enable you to direct the water straight to the roots without waste. This design will fit into a border 3m long by 1.5m wide