‘Miss Wilmott’ cinquefoil
Potentilla nepalensis
Plants form a low mound of strawberry-like foliage topped with coral flowers, beginning in early … Continued
browsing: drought tolerant
Drought-tolerant and drought-resistant plants may still need supplemental water from time to time, but they can survive periods of dryness without dying.
Drought-resistant plants like cactus, hens and chicks, and sedums can go for very long periods without water and do not tolerate poorly drained locations. Drought-resistant tropical plants grown indoors in winter like cactus, Sansevieria, Echeveria, and other succulents sometimes fail due to overwatering.
Drought-tolerant plants grow in many textures and sizes and have different adaptations that help them get through periods of drought:
- succulents have thick, fleshy foliage to hold moisture for long periods
- silver-leaf plants reflect sunlight
- many grasses and native prairie plants have deep root systems that allow them to access moisture way underground
The latter two types of plants are drought tolerant once established because any new planting, regardless of drought tolerance, needs to be watered during the first growing season to allow roots to reach the depths needed to access moisture during dry periods.
It’s also important to note that survival may not mean that the plant will look its best during this time. Watering weekly for a longer period of time will result in the best-looking gardens with the highest tolerance for drought. During the hottest, dryest times in summer, watering deeply twice a week is recommended. These less frequent waterings will encourage root systems to expand, making it easier for plants to access moisture when their environment is dry.
Winter drought has become a bigger problem in recent years as snowfall declines. Evergreen plants are especially vulnerable during winter drought because their foliage continues to shed moisture while dormant deciduous plants have shed their leaves and can conserve moisture in woody stems and underground. Watering shrubs and trees in winter on days when the temperature allows (above freezing) will help ensure their healthy return in spring.
Here are some drought-tolerant and drought-resistant plants to grow—
apricot
Prunus armeniaca
Apricot ‘Moorpark’ is the best red apricot with large firm fruits that are a favorite … Continued
cherry
Prunus avium
Cherry trees require full sun and sharply draining fertile soil. Full sun is defined as … Continued
Pink Snow Showers weeping cherry
Prunus x 'Pisnshzam'
A stunning weeping tree with striking early spring color. Trees are blanketed with beautiful, fragrant … Continued
plum
Prunus domestica ‘Mount Royal’
‘Mount Royal’ is a very hardy self- fertile European plum with bluish-black freestone fruit that’s … Continued
Jade Parade® Sand Cherry
Prunus pumila 'UCONNPP002'
Attractive glossy blueish-green leaves turn shades of yellow, orange, and red in the fall. Spring … Continued
purple-leaf plum
Prunus cerasifera ‘Krauter Vesuvius’
Grows as a dense, upright-rounded tree 15-20’ tall. A very popular ornamental landscape tree with … Continued
snow fountains dwarf weeping cherry
Prunus x 'Snofozam'
A naturally weeping form covered with bright, snow white flowers on compact, hardy landscape specimen tree. Produces … Continued
pasque flower
Pulsatilla patens
Silky, fern-like foliage with bell-shaped, solitary, blue-violet, yellow, pink or white flowers. Blooms are followed … Continued
purple-fringed loosestrife
Lysimachia ciliata ‘Purpurea’
Though ‘Purpurea’ is not as invasive as other varieties, it will spread. ‘Purpurea’ performs best … Continued
pussy willow
Salix discolor
Pussy willow is a small tree or large shrub. As one of the earliest blooming … Continued
hairy mountain mint
Pycnanthemum verticillatum var. pilosum
This fragrant native spreads by rhizomes readily. Small white flowers on branched spires are packed … Continued