Shrubs for dry sunny positions
Abelia
Artemisia
Berberis
Buddleia
Ceanothus
Cistus
Cotoneaster
Cytisus
Escallonia
Genista
Hebe
Lavender
Phormium
Potentilla
Rosemary
Sage
Santolina
Senecio
Yucca

Hardy perennials for dry sunny positions
Acanthus
Achillea
Alstroemeria
Bergenia
Crocosmia
Dianthus (pinks)
Gypsophila
Helianthemum (rock rose)
Iris Kniphofia (red hot poker)
Nepeta (catmint)
Papaver (poppy)
Penstemon
Pulsatilla
Sedum
Thyme

Hardy perennials for dry, coastal locations
Achillea
Crambe
Dianthus (pinks)
Eryngium (sea holly)
Helianthemum (rock rose)
Kniphofia (red hot poker)
Nepeta (catmint)
Papaver (poppy)
Sedum

Shrubs for dry shade
Amelanchier
Berberis
Box
Cotoneaster
Euonymus
Hedera (ivy)
Ilex (holly)
Mahonia
Prunus laurocerasus
Sambucus (elder)
Skimmia

Hardy perennials for dry shade
Ajuga (bugle)
Alchemilla (lady's mantle)
Bergenia
Lamium
Pulmonaria (lungwort)
Vinca
Shrubs for dry, coastal locations
Buddleia
Caryopteris
Cistus
Cytisus
Escallonia
Genista
Hebe
Lavender
Olearia
Phormium
Potentilla
Pyracantha
Rosemary
Sage
Senecio
Tamarix
Ulex (gorse)
Yucca

Ground cover plants
Ground cover plants are the best weed suppressants of all. They also shade the ground, preventing loss of moisture through evaporation. They are the most cost-effective and attractive way of filling any gaps between plants. To get the fastest weed-smothering effect, plant ground cover plants in groups of three and mulch around them to start with, to help them get established. From then on, they will suppress the weeds themselves. There are many excellent ground cover plants to choose from. The following are worth considering: -
Ajuga (bugle)
Alchemilla mollis (lady's mantle)
Geranium (hardy garden varieties)
Ground cover roses
Lamium 'White Nancy'
Nepeta (catmint)
Pulmonaria (lungwort)
Sedum spectabile (ice plant)
Stachys lanata/byzantina (lamb's ears)
Vinca minor (periwinkle)