Get ready for (drought) this summer

With Spain set for a week of temperatures as high as 40C (that are forecast to shatter records for April) we might get ready for another hot, dry summer here. Woodies currently have water butts for sale at just €39.99. Drought-resistant plants are available everywhere. Just ask at garden centres or read the little label on plant pots. Sedums, verbena, rosemary, bearded irises, agapanthus 'silver baby' (compact, at just 60cm in height), geums, hardy geraniums, nepeta, sea hollies or verbascum are just some of the lovelies to seek out for a garden bed that won't be parched in a dry spell. You could do worse than spend the bank holiday weekend planning your beds and planning ahead for all weathers.