Planting a Dry Garden - L

Lachenalia, the South African "Soldier Boy" is a well known minor bulb for dry, well-drained spots. Equally at home in the rock garden or container, the waxy spikes of flowers add charm and colour to the winter and early spring garden.
 
Lagerstroemia, the Crepe Myrtle, includes 50 species. L.indica  a 7m small tree, is covered with fluffy blooms that resemble large lilacs in white, pink, or purple in late summer. Autumn foliage is also very bright and the bark is highly ornamental.
 
Lagunaria is also known as Pyramid Tree or Norfolk Island Hibiscus. These are hardy to coastal extremes and look good all year especially when covered in pink or white flowers.
 
Lambertia formosa, the Honey Flower, is a protea from Western Australia whose nectar attracts bees, birds, and dried flower enthusiasts with it's unique pods. Hardy but hard to find!
 
Lampranthus, the Pig Face, is the most spectacular of all the ice plants. Easily grown from cuttings, the large daisies smother the foliage throughout the spring. Good in pots.
 
Lantana comes in the bushy L. camara forms as well as the graceful, arching L. montevidensis with it's mauve purple flowers. Makes a great hedge, container plant or groundcover.
 
Lavenders need no introduction. Along with most herbs, these Mediterranean natives thrive in hot, dry, sunny positions.
 
Lechenaultia resembles a large flowered, trailing lobelia in blue, purple, orange, yellow and pink shades. Great in the rockery or other sunny, warm, well drained location.
 
Leonotis, the Lions Paw, produces tall spikes of orange flowers over a long period. Needs a warm, sunny spot.
 
Leptosiphon is the California Stardust, a lovely , low growing annual to 20cm closely resembling virginia stock and just as hardy and durable in sunny, dry, coastal sites and poor soils.
 
Leptospermum includes a wide range of Tea Tree or Manuka species, all of which are quite durable to drought conditions.
 
Leptosyne, the Sea Dahlia, closely resembles the eureops but with succulent stems and ferny foliage covered in quite large yellow daisies that are excellent for cutting.
Leucadendron includes 70 species of durable shrubs from South Africa that are known for their brightly coloured flower bracts that resemble thick, fleshy stars. They demand acid soil that drains freely and a humid atmosphere.
 
Leucospermum are very similar South African species but are lower, more compact shrubs with flowers resembling large pincushions in many bright shades. Very drought hardy!
 
Many lilies will tolerate quite dry conditions if they are planted in morning sun or light shade and lightly mulched.
 
Limonium or statice include an array of annual and perennial species which thrive in heat, dry soils, sunny extremes and on the coast. The bright flower bracts are great for drying.
 
Linaria, the Toad Flax from Morocco, thrives under the poorest conditions and still looks like the most delicate snapdragon. Mix with Linum, the flowering flax for a truly fairyland picture in the dry cottage garden.