Zigzag Drought Border: Care Through the Year

First year

Water everything regularly until the roots establish. Even drought-tolerant plants need consistent moisture in their first season to build deep root systems.

February–March

• Origanum (wild marjoram) Cut back old flowered stems to ground level.
• Knautia arvensis, Centaurea nigra, Silene (Lychnis) coronaria Cut down old stems left standing for wildlife, from March.
• Stipa tenuissima Comb out dead material with your fingers, or cut back fully if there is a lot.
• Sisyrinchium Tidy withered foliage.
• Self-seeded Stipa and other seedlings Thin out unwanted seedlings in spring before they establish.

Mid–late spring

• Phlomis fruticosa Light prune only — remove dead or badly placed shoots. Avoid hard pruning into old wood.

Summer

• Silene coronaria Deadhead to extend flowering and prevent excessive self-seeding.
• Sisyrinchium Remove faded flowers and discoloured leaves.
• Knautia arvensis Cut old flower stems to encourage a second flush.
• Papaver rhoeas and Echium vulgare Leave seed heads to ripen and self-sow.

August

• Lavandula angustifolia 'Hidcote' Trim spent flower stalks plus about 2.5 cm of leaf growth. Never cut into old wood — lavender does not regenerate from bare stems. Avoid autumn pruning in cold or wet areas.
• Stachys byzantina Cut flower stalks off at ground level once finished.

Autumn

• Papaver rhoeas (field poppy) Sow thinly into gaps in autumn for flowers next summer.
• Phlomis and perennial stems Leave seed heads and some perennial stems standing through winter for wildlife and structure.

Every few years

• Stachys byzantina Divide clumps every few years and replant the younger outer pieces.
• Sisyrinchium Divide every year or so in spring to keep plants vigorous.
• Lavandula Replace old woody plants — they do not rejuvenate from hard pruning.
• Echium, Papaver, Silene coronaria Short-lived plants that replace themselves from seed. Let them self-sow and thin as needed.
• Centaurea nigra Needs no regular pruning.