When choosing plants for dry areas check plant labels carefully and choose those that need full sun and well drained soil. Plants with thick fleshy/shiny leaves, thin needle like leaves and silver foliage are usually well suited to dry conditions. Ovoid plants with very large leaves or pale and/or variegated leaves, as these will scorch easily.
The following plants are well adapted to dry conditions:
Acanthus mollis, Amaryliss bella-donna, Armeria maritima, Anchusa, Alliumz, Aquilegia, Aubrieta, Brachyglottis, Broom, Callistemon, Cedar, Chaenomeles, Cistus, Cordyline, Convolvulus cneorum, Cotoneaster, Digitalis, Dryas octopetala, Gazania, Genista, Gladiolus, Grevillea, Gorse, Echinops, Epimedium, Erigeron, Eryngium, Eschscholzia californica, Euphorbia, Halimodendrum, Hebe, Helianthemum, Helichrysum bracteatum, Hibiscus, Hollyhocks, Hyssop, Irises (bearded), Iris unguicularis, Juniper, Lavatera, Lavender, Margoram, Mesembryanthemum, Nerine bowdenii, Oregano, Papaver orientale, Pelargonuims, Phlomis, Phormium, Pine, Portulacca, Potentilla, Pryacantha, Rosemary, Rue, Sage, Salvia, Saxifraga, Sedium, Sempervivum, Silene maritima, Stachys byzantina, Tamarix, Thyme, Verbascum thrapsus, Vinca, Watsonia, Yucca.
Note: although the above plants are drought tollerant they will need some initial watering to allow them to become established.