The good news though, according to our editor M.T. O’Donnell, is we do not need to water everything in our gardens every day, and we shouldn’t. With a bit of knowledge and planning, it is possible to keep your garden healthy, productive, and beautiful while using much less water.
According to the Met Office, Scotland’s average summer temperatures have increased by nearly 1°C since the 1960s. The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has also reported more frequent summer droughts and dry spells, especially in the east.
In recent years, water scarcity warnings have been issued for parts of Tayside, Aberdeenshire, and the Borders - places once considered safe from summer dryness.
In May 2025, SEPA reports that Scotland is experiencing widespread water scarcity due to prolonged dry conditions. Most of mainland Scotland's east coast has moved to Moderate Scarcity, and much of the rest of the country is at Alert. The driest period since 1964 has led to reduced river flows and lower reservoir levels, prompting warnings to the public to conserve water. The situation is a result of a drier than normal autumn and winter, with some areas experiencing 11 months of below-average rainfall.
Notably, 2024 was the first year in some time that Scotland did not experience any significant water scarcity according to SEPA, thanks to more favourable rainfall patterns. The return of early warnings in the first half of 2025 highlights the increasing unpredictability of Scotland’s climate and the need for long-term adaptation.
This means we need to start thinking differently about how we garden.
Water the vulnerable. Not everything in your garden needs a daily drink. In fact, over-watering can be as damaging as under-watering. Here's what does need your attention during a hot spell:
• Newly planted trees, shrubs, and perennials - these need regular watering until their roots are established, usually for the first one to two growing seasons.
• Some edibles - especially leafy greens like lettuce, spinach, and chard, which wilt quickly in the heat. Fruit-bearing plants like courgettes and tomatoes also need consistent watering to prevent blossom-end rot and poor yields.
• Plants in pots and containers - soil in pots dries out far quicker than garden beds, especially in terracotta or metal containers.
Once a plant is well-rooted in the ground, it is surprisingly resilient. Mature perennials, shrubs, and even many vegetables send their roots deep into the soil, allowing them to find moisture even during dry spells. These plants do not need daily watering, and in most Scottish soils, they may not need watering at all after establishment unless there is a prolonged drought.
It is easy to assume that soil needs watering just because the surface looks dry but often, just a couple of centimetres below, there is still plenty of moisture available.
To check, push your finger, a trowel, or even a wooden skewer down into the soil. If the soil feels cool and moist just beneath the surface, your plants are likely to still be fine. Dry soil feels warmer and more powdery; moist soil will hold together and feel cool to the touch.
Over-watering at the first sign of dry topsoil is wasteful and can discourage deep rooting.
One of the best ways to make your plants more resilient is to train their roots to grow deeper. Plants with deep root systems are more self-sufficient, able to draw water from lower down in the soil where it evaporates less and stays cooler.
To encourage deep rooting:
• Water less often but more thoroughly. Soak the soil at the base of the plant to encourage roots to follow the moisture downwards.
• Avoid shallow daily watering. This causes roots to sit near the surface, making them more vulnerable to heat and drought, as well as setting them up poorly to cope through winter.
• Mulch around plants to keep the soil cool, reduce evaporation, and make deep watering more effective.
The deeper the roots, the less reliant your garden will be on regular watering.
Our gardens are already feeling the effects of climate change: scorching spells in summer followed by waterlogged winters. Choosing plants that can cope with both extremes is key to long-term garden success across the country.
Fortunately, many resilient perennials, shrubs, and grasses can handle a range of conditions from dry, sun-baked soil to occasional waterlogging in winter. These adaptable plants are the future of low-maintenance gardening.
• Geranium (Cranesbill) – hardy and forgiving, these long-flowering perennials thrive in a range of soils, tolerate drought once established, and cope well with wet winters.
• Alchemilla mollis (Lady’s Mantle) – a tough groundcover that takes sun or shade, dries quickly after rain, and survives heat and poor soils.
• Geum varieties – particularly cultivars like ‘Totally Tangerine’ and ‘Mrs Bradshaw’ which tolerate inconsistent moisture and keep blooming through summer.
• Nepeta (Catmint) – aromatic, bee-friendly, and great for dry spots but also tough enough to rebound after a Scottish winter.
• Eryngium (Sea Holly) – drought-tolerant once established but naturally found in wild meadows that get seasonally wet.
• Miscanthus sinensis and Molinia caerulea – ornamental grasses that add structure, thrive in most soils, and aren’t fazed by wet feet or summer sun.
• Rudbeckia fulgida ‘Goldsturm’ – a long-season stalwart that copes with dry soil once rooted but is equally at home in rain-prone borders.
• Persicaria amplexicaulis – a generous late-summer flowerer that loves moist soil but survives dry periods with little complaint.
Water is precious, even in Scotland. Here are some ways to use it more wisely.
They waste water and often do more harm than good. A slow trickle with a watering can at the base of the plant is more efficient.
This encourages roots to grow downwards rather than staying near the surface. Early morning or late evening watering is best to minimise evaporation.
Harvest rainwater from your roof - even a small garden shed can collect hundreds of litres a year. It’s free and better for most plants than chlorinated tap water.
Use glazed or recycled plastic pots that hold moisture better than unglazed terracotta. Add saucers under pots to catch water runoff.
Plants in beds and borders are far more resilient than those in containers. Consider reducing the number of pots you have in summer.
Even small ones from outside taps and leaky hoses waste a lot of water.
A layer of organic mulch, like bark, compost, or leaf mould, helps the soil retain moisture, keeps roots cool, and suppresses weeds. Top up each year in spring or autumn.
A water-wise garden isn’t just about surviving hot spells, it’s about thriving all year round. By understanding which plants need help and when, by making smarter plant choices, and by using water more efficiently, you can create a garden that is both beautiful and resilient whist not using up our precious water.
As Scotland’s weather continues to shift, our gardens must adapt. With a little thought and effort, we can ensure they flourish, with far less watering required.