You need tough plants for tough gardens, and one of the hardest areas to plant is one with rapidly draining sandy soil, full sun and little water. Many plant candidates simply melt away under such dire conditions, but the trio described here will continue to shine no matter how brutal the temperatures.

The secret to success is selecting plants that thrive in such conditions, not just survive. I came across this delightful informal planting in Seattle last summer, where it was part of a gravel garden. It looked fabulous even after several months without rain or irrigation. The grass had been allowed to set seed freely, and the daisies scrambled at will, creating a wonderfully airy, casual effect. The bold sedum added strength to the design, both in shape and color.

We tend to think of xeriscaping as being dominated by strong architectural forms and sharp spines, as with many cacti and succulents, but this combination shows there is also a softer side to drought-tolerant design. Le jardinet Meet the stars. This easy-care design is all about layering. A soft ornamental grass provides height and establishes the framework for the combination. The wispy seed heads add to its unabashedly romantic appeal.

This photo features Mexican feather grass, but alternatives include pink muhly grass (Muhlenbergia capillaris) or the herbaceous 'Karley Rose' fountain grass (Pennisetum orientale 'Karley Rose'), a fountain grass cultivar that sets seed sparingly and is not considered invasive. (Mexican feather grass can be invasive in some areas; consult your local cooperative extension or county extension office before planting.)

Such fine texture needs something solid to balance it, and the bold, succulent foliage and flowers of sedum 'Autumn Joy' (Sedum 'Herbstfreude') do this perfectly. This mounding perennial is covered with flat clusters of pink flowers all summer, their hue enhancing the delicate pink tones of the tan grass.

To complete the picture, a daisy-studded carpet adds just the right amount of sparkle. The tiny white and pink flowers of the Mexican fleabane daisy (Erigeron karvinskianus 'Profusion') bloom steadily all summer long, highlighting the pretty monochromatic color scheme. Le jardinet How to Get the Look
1. Start with the tallest plant.

Mexican Feather Grass (Stipa tenuissima). This grass not only likes hot, dry conditions, it positively revels in them — some might say too much (see the previous note about invasiveness). Yet its tendency to self-seed can be a good thing in a gravel garden, where opportunistic seedlings can be controlled and add to the informality of the design. Being evergreen, this drought-tolerant grass will provide structure to the garden year-round.

USDA zones: 6 to 10 (find your zone; avoid planting it where it's considered invasive)
Water requirement: Low
Light requirement: Full sun
Mature size: 18 to 36 inches tall and wide
When to plant: Plant in well-drained soil in spring or fall. Girasole Sonoma 2. Add a bold middle tier.

Sedum 'Autumn Joy' (Sedum 'Herbstfreude'). This may be considered an old-fashioned perennial, but there is nothing old-fashioned about its appeal. A butterfly magnet with fascinating succulent foliage in a soft shade of green and abundant clusters of pink flowers in late summer, this plant earns its place in any hot spot that features well-draining or sandy soil. To keep it compact, cut the emerging foliage down by half when it reaches 8 inches tall. It will quickly regrow to form a tight dome with an abundance of pink flowers but will be less susceptible to collapse in the middle.

USDA zones: 3 to 10
Water requirement: Low
Light requirement: Full sun
Mature size: 18 to 24 inches tall and wide
When to plant: Plant in well-drained soil in spring or fall. Le jardinet 3. Finish with a carpet of tiny daisies.

Mexican Fleabane Daisy (Erigeron karvinskianus 'Profusion'). Reminiscent of the daisies of many people's childhoods, this rapidly spreading ground cover is much tougher than it looks. Allow it to scramble over boulders, dangle over the edge of containers or create a flowering carpet through which taller perennials and grasses can grow. It thrives in full sun or partial shade and is drought tolerant once established. In winter it will die to the ground, but it will quickly reemerge stronger than ever in spring.

USDA zones: 5 to 8
Water requirement: Low
Light requirement: Full sun
Mature size: 6 inches tall and 3 feet wide
When to plant: Plant in well-drained soil in spring or fall. Le jardinet How to use this combination. Site this tough combination near a seating area or pathway, so the subtle beauty of the design can be appreciated up close. The monochromatic scheme can be further enhanced by selecting flagstone or gravel with similar pink and tan hues.

This trio would look equally at home by a seaside cottage, lining a simple picket fence or perhaps in a low, wide container set on a patio.

To expand the combination, you could add some tall 'Karl Foerster' feather reed grass (Calamagrostis x acutiflora), groups of pink yarrow (Achillea sp) and the evergreen ground cover sunrose (Helianthemum nummularium). 'St Mary's' is a clean, white variety of sunrose, while 'Dazzler' is hot pink.

More: What to do in your garden now