dittany of Crete
Origanum dictamnus
Fuzzy gray-green leaves on branched stems covered with hop-like pods and lavender-pink flowers summer through … Continued
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:
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—
Origanum dictamnus
Fuzzy gray-green leaves on branched stems covered with hop-like pods and lavender-pink flowers summer through … Continued
Dolichos lablab
With striking foliage, flowers, and seed pods, this vigorous grower covers fence and arbor quickly … Continued
Phlox pilosa
These long-blooming perennials thrive in rocky or dry open woods, meadows, and prairies. An upright … Continued
Dracaena indivisa
Add height and contrast to containers with this tropical foliage plant. Adaptable to most any … Continued
Dryopteris marginalis
Leathery leaves are a beautiful addition to the woodland garden and can form a lovely … Continued
Dianthus barbatus Barbarini™ Red
An old-fashioned cottage garden self-seeding biennial plant, this dwarf hybrid strain produces showy clusters of … Continued
Echeveria 'Black Prince'
Nearly black rosettes are periodically topped with salmon-red flowers that attract hummingbirds. Dramatic foliage adds wonderful … Continued
Echeveria shaviana 'Pink Frills'
Blue-green leaves are edged in delicate neon-pink fringe. Prefers some afternoon shade in summer. Pictured … Continued
Echeveria benitsukasa
Great contrasting variegation with rosettes of green painted with red on margins and mid leaf. … Continued
Echeveria runyonii 'Topsy Turvy'
Thick, wavy, blue-gray leaves curve upward in tight rosettes that slowly multiply into colonies. Bright … Continued
Echinacea pallida
Echinacea pallida is easily grown in average, dry to medium, well-drained soil in full sun … Continued
Echinacea 'Cheyenne Spirit'
Echinacea ‘Cheyenne Spirit’ grows vivid colors in clear tones of purple, pink, scarlet, yellow, cream, … Continued