American beautyberry
Callicarpa americana
A rounded, deciduous shrub with upright-arching branches. The best ornamental feature of this shrub is … Continued
browsing: drought tolerant once established
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—
purple wine cups
Callirhoe involucrata
Low-growing mounds of cut-leaves are covered with large, purple, cup-shaped flowers all summer. Can self-seed … Continued
‘Kent Belle’ bellflower
Campanula glomerata ‘Kent Belle’
24″ upright stems are abundantly covered with glossy, purple, 2-in. long bell-shaped flowers. This reblooming … Continued
Canada Red chokecherry
Prunus virginiana
A hardy and colorful native tree is perfect for difficult spots, tolerating heat, cold, wind, … Continued
Cannova Cannas
Canna Lily
Red-orange, pink, or yellow blooms over dark purple or deep green foliage makes a dramatic … Continued
cardoon
Cynara cardunculus
This relative of the artichoke has edible roots and stalks, but you won’t want to … Continued
Pennsylvania sedge, oak sedge
Carex pensylvanica
Low sedge with soft, delicate, arching, semi-evergreen leaves in clumps up to 8″ tall, this … Continued
‘Evergold’ variegated Japanese sedge
Carex oshimensis 'Evergold'
Creamy yellow leaves have dark green edges, and clumps cascade to the ground in a … Continued
Carolina allspice
Calycanthus floridus
A dense, rounded deciduous native with a suckering habit with very fragrant, brown to reddish-brown … Continued
pecan
Carya illinoinensis
This massive shade tree is the pecan producer of the industry. Lustrous, dark green foliage … Continued
blue mist spirea, bluebeard
Caryopteris incana
This fragrant late summer bloomer sends up aromatic, whorled, blue-flowering spikes over striking bright chartruese … Continued
popcorn plant
Cassia didymobotrya
Run your hands through the foliage of this plant and release the smell of fresh … Continued