Plants for a dry warm bed

I recently filled my pond in and I'm left with a lovely south facing warm very dry free draining bed about 17 ft by 9ft. (the pond liner is pierced and bags of sand in the bottom topped with good topsoil.) I'm now looking to fill it with low growing plants nothing more than 2-3ft.

Several years ago I saw in a book a wonderful plant design for a similar dry bed, but can't remember the books title. I wonder if anyone can suggest a suitable design book. Failing that suitable plants, or web sites, or even
best of all a garden centre with suitable collections.

I've had no luck searching on the web , or in the local library.

 

Why not try cacti and other succulent plants?
And to give your bed an extra dry look, add some gravel.
And it should be very low maintenance.
I read somewhere once, how succulent plants could be left in pots on your roof, and never need to be taken care of. Of course, that you have a flat roof.

[ 07. September 2005, 04:24 PM: Message edited by: greenfingers ]

 

JP01 - take a look at books and web site on Beth Chato's garden. She has dry beds - that are magnifiscent.

 

Ohhh Fran that was a superb tip.Huge thanks!
I googled Beth Chatto's garden and wow!
Just look at this http://www.bestgardening.com/bgc/design/gdnrchatto01.htm

The Mediterranean Garden looks wonderful.
I can see a few books being ordered from the library. Many many thanks again.

 

Your very welcome - and thanks for the link. Her garden is quite something