Drought tolerant slug/ snail resistant plants

I have clay soil and I think I have all the usual suspects ( I can list them but I'm sure many of you know what I'm likely to have ).
Can anyone recommend something unexpected or interesting that I could try? I'm happy to give a plant a little help in a pot until it can deal with the predators by itself.

 

Agave.

So you want a desert plant that repels slugs and snails.
Let me know what it is when you find it.

 

Are you looking at plants for areas with different levels of exposure to sun?

My hellobores have never been damaged by slugs, though I read online that if they are very young, it's not completely unlikely.

According to the Internet, Astrantias are considered to be slug resistant.

Euphorbias are also an option.

For full sun, how about lavender? You did say that you have clay soil but you can amend it. I haven't had issues with them (I also have clay soil).

 

Yes please @pete. What's your problem?

 

@CostasK . I have the others but not astrantia. Thanks for the suggestion

 

The reason I ask is, some plants like penstemon look a bit exotic but the molluscs disagree. I was wondering if there was owt I'd missed. Will try an astrantia but I won't hold it against CostaK if it's slug delight.

 

Penstemon 'Garnet' not touched by slugs/snails and when established will happily flower for weeks with no water.
None of my penstemons are touched by molluscs, but they're not all as drought hardy as Garnet.

I've got lots of astrantias too - never touched by slugs/snails but mine do best with some shade.
They're quite tolerant of no water, but mine do droop in hot weather

This clump of P.'Garnet' is about 5-6 yrs old and never been watered. The leaves don't even droop in the driest weather.


PS - when stems touch the ground, they take root, so the clump spreads out each year

 

I have plenty of shade @Pete8 . Will definitely try astrantia

 

For the record, I don't have any Astrantias myself, I'm just going by what the Internet is saying

 

Nepeta is another option @BB3. I haven’t found any problem with cats visiting but some varieties have different volatile oils in them which will be less attractive. More than blue to choose from. I grow three different varieties, all untouched by slugs, snails or cats. They are also drought tolerant once established. This article from Hardy’s Cottage Garden Plants is useful:

Clay, Adapting to less than perfect soil conditions

 

@Plantminded , I must admit, I've avoided nepeta for the cat issues.. There's not many cars about, but I'd rather not attract them.definitely worth a try..
TBH , I have lots of slug proof plants but I'm getting a bit bored.

 

@Plantminded . Had a look at your link. Will definitely give them a go, too.

 

I avoided planting them for about 10 years for that reason @BB3, then had a go and proved myself wrong . Worth a go.

 

Sorry, I thought you had a sense of humour.
The plant you are looking for is probably the one every gardener wants.
I know I get too many snails when its wet and things sometimes struggle in drought situations.

The ideal plant would be good.

 

I meant no offence @pete . I was joking too