Good plant selection is all about finding the right plant for the right place. Ground made up of little more than rock shards is a boon for wild-garden enthusiasts. Nutrients rapidly wash out of the plant's rooting zone near the surface, making it harder for vigorous, weedy grasses to take hold and easier for wildflowers to establish. You might be able to slightly alter your dry soil composition by adding some more organic matter to improve water retention. You can also add some more grit to improve drainage, but the quantities you need are enormous. It is far more sensible to consider the existing conditions in your garden and do your best to work within its limits. Sometimes it is the restrictions we face that stimulate the most creative solutions. Rather than enriching your soil, just pick plants that like tough terrain. Today I’m sharing with you a selection of plants which, once established, should be tough enough to cope with even the toughest, driest spot in your garden, thriving in even the hottest summers.