Gravel garden ideas

Planted into gravel and never watered after the first summer. This is the lowest-input garden that still looks like somebody designed it.

AI-generated concept image

Light: Full sun
Water: Low
Upkeep: Low
Colour: Neutral
Planting survives: −12 °C / 10 °F

Getting it right

Counter-intuitively, do not improve the soil. Compost holds moisture and pushes soft growth that flops and rots, and the plants that make this style work want it lean. Lay 75–100 mm of 10–20 mm gravel straight over cultivated ground with no membrane underneath, plant through it, and water only through the first growing season. After that the gravel keeps the roots cool, and seedlings start filling the gaps on their own.

Plants that work

Botanical names are given first so you can order the right plant anywhere. Heights are for mature plants in open ground.
Plant	Type	Light	Water	Height	Hardy to
Russian sageSalvia yangii	Shrub · Deciduous	Full sun	Low	0.8–1.2 m	−25 °C / −13 °F
English lavenderLavandula angustifolia	Shrub · Evergreen	Full sun	Low	40–70 cm	−20 °C / −4 °F
Mexican feather grassNassella tenuissima	Grass · Semi-evergreen	Full sun	Low	40–60 cm	−20 °C / −4 °F
Mediterranean spurgeEuphorbia characias	Perennial · Evergreen	Full sun	Low	0.8–1.2 m	−12 °C / 10 °F
Purple top verbenaVerbena bonariensis	Perennial · Deciduous	Full sun	Low	1.2–1.8 m	−12 °C / 10 °F
Blue sea hollyEryngium planum	Perennial · Deciduous	Full sun	Low	60–90 cm	−30 °C / −22 °F
Ornamental onionAllium hollandicum	Bulb · Deciduous	Full sun	Low	0.8–1 m	−30 °C / −22 °F
YarrowAchillea millefolium	Perennial · Deciduous	Full sun	Low	50–80 cm	−35 °C / −31 °F
Ice plantHylotelephium spectabile	Perennial · Deciduous	Full sun	Low	40–60 cm	−30 °C / −22 °F
Korean mintAgastache rugosa	Perennial · Deciduous	Full sun	Low	0.6–1 m	−20 °C / −4 °F
Adam's needleYucca filamentosa	Shrub · Evergreen	Full sun	Low	0.6–1.5 m	−25 °C / −13 °F
Cotton lavenderSantolina chamaecyparissus	Shrub · Evergreen	Full sun	Low	40–60 cm	−15 °C / 5 °F