Tuscan style gardens are en vogue on social media, in magazines and on TV. It’s easy to see why. Tuscany is a favourite holiday destination for many, known for its rolling hills, sun-baked stone, silvery olive groves and relaxed outdoor living. Recreating that atmosphere at home can feel like bringing a small piece of your travels back with you… a garden that reminds you of warm evenings, rustic food and time spent outdoors. How dreamy!

Beyond the romance, this style also makes practical sense. Traditional Tuscan landscapes evolved in a climate with long, dry summers and mild, wetter winters. Plants there are adapted to cope with heat, bright light and periods without much rainfall. As UK summers become hotter and drier, gardeners are increasingly looking for planting styles that can cope with these shifts. A Tuscan-inspired garden, built around drought-tolerant plants and gravel mulches, can be both beautiful and resilient.

What does a Tuscan garden look like?

Tuscany sits in central Italy and has a Mediterranean climate. Summers are typically hot and dry, while winters are cooler with more rain. The natural landscape includes cypress-lined roads, olive orchards, vineyards and herb-scented hillsides. Gardens often feature terracotta pots, stone walls, gravel paths and shaded seating areas where people can escape the midday sun.

In the UK, we can’t copy the climate exactly, but we can borrow the planting approach: choose tough plants that like good drainage, plenty of sun and don’t mind a dry spell once established. This kind of planting is also a sensible way to future-proof gardens as water becomes a more precious resource.

7 drought tolerant plants that suit Tuscan garden style

Lavender ‘Phenomenal’

‘Phenomenal’ is a classic choice with fragrant foliage and purple summer flowers. Blooming from June to September, it thrives in poor, well-drained soil and full sun, and looks perfect edging a path or spilling from gravel beds.

Salvia ‘Super Red’

Salvia offers evergreen structure and flowers loved by bees. It copes well with dry conditions and reflected heat from walls, making it perfect for balcony and sun-trap patios. ‘Super Red’ is an extra long flowering variety, with blooms from late spring to the first frosts.

Thyme (Thymus)

Low-growing and aromatic, thyme works well between stepping stones or at the front of borders. It enjoys sun and sharp drainage.

Perovskia ‘Prime Time’

Airy stems of early and long-blooming lavender-blue flowers and grey foliage give a soft, hazy look that pairs well with grasses and gravel. This perennial is perfect for hot and dry climates, but thanks to its exceptional cold hardiness, it can be used in pretty much any kind of environment.

Santolina (cotton lavender)

This compact shrub has finely cut silver leaves and small yellow button flowers. It’s excellent for low hedging or edging in hot, dry spots.

Cistus (rock rose)
Cistus shrubs love sun and poor soil. Their crinkled, papery flowers in white or pink add a wild Mediterranean feel.

Tuscan garden style trees

Trees play a key role in creating height and atmosphere in a Tuscan-style garden. Try the following to recreate the look:

Conifers

You might not have considered conifers to be part of a Tuscan garden – but you’re missing a trick! One of the most iconic trees associated with Italy is the Cypress tree… and yes, it’s a conifer! They belong to the family Cupressaceae and are characterised as evergreen, woody plants that produce cones. Tall and narrow, Cypress trees instantly suggest the Tuscan landscape. In the UK they need a sheltered, sunny position and well-drained soil.

Other conifers common in Italy are:

• Stone pine / umbrella pine (Pinus pinea) – instantly recognisable flat crown; common along coasts, in cities (Rome in particular), and historic landscapes.
• Aleppo pine (Pinus halepensis) – widespread in southern Italy and coastal areas; very drought-tolerant.
• Maritime pine (Pinus pinaster) – common along the Tyrrhenian coast; used for windbreaks and reforestation.
• Common juniper (Juniperus communis)
• Phoenician juniper (Juniperus phoenicea)
• Prickly juniper (Juniperus oxycedrus)

Looking for more conifer inspiration or to find a nursery or garden centre that stocks high quality conifers? Visit We Love Conifers.

Olive (Olea europaea)

With gnarled trunks and silvery leaves, olives are a defining feature. They do best in pots in colder parts of the UK so they can be moved or protected in winter.

Bay (Laurus nobilis)

Often clipped into standards or cones, bay trees suit formal courtyards and patios. They’re hardy in many parts of the UK and cope well with dry conditions once established.

Fig (Ficus carica)

Large, bold leaves give a lush yet sun-loving look. Figs enjoy a warm wall and well-drained soil, and can produce fruit in good summers.

The Tuscan garden colour palette

Tuscan planting is less about bright, mixed colours and more about a calm, sun-washed palette. Silvers, soft greens and muted purples are often spotted paired with touches of warm colour from stone and pots.

Foliage is key: grey and silver leaves from lavender, santolina and olive trees reflect light and help plants cope with heat. Flowers tend to be in shades of purple, blue and white, with the occasional splash of deep red or pink, or terracotta tones from pots, gravel or brick.

Hard landscaping also plays a part. Terracotta containers, pale stone, gravel paths and weathered wood all contribute to the overall effect. Together with drought-tolerant planting, these materials create a garden that feels relaxed, sun-drenched and well suited to a warming climate – a space that captures the spirit of Tuscany while still working in a UK setting.