Indian corn cob
Euphorbia mammillaris var. variegata
A cactus-like plant studded with spikes and lined with raised tubercles that shrink in the … 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—
snow-on-the-mountain
Euphorbia marginata
Native to prairies from Minnesota and the Dakotas to Colorado and Texas, this showy annual … Continued
snow-on-the-mountain
Euphorbia marginata
Medium green spring foliage gradually develops showy clean white margins at the tips giving a … Continued
‘Ascot Rainbow’ spurge
Euphorbia x martinii 'Ascot Rainbow'
The striking variegated foliage of ‘Ascot Rainbow’ is looks fantastic from spring through fall. Selected … Continued
evolvulus ‘Blue Daze’
Evolvulus glomeratus 'Blue Daze'
True blue 1″ blooms cover plants that trail up to 24″ long, making dramatic hanging … Continued
bronze leaf fennel / fennel
Foeniculum vulgare
The delicate, ferny foliage adds wonderful ornamental texture contrast, and the dark bronze variety mixes … Continued
‘Elijah Blue’ fescue
Festuca glauca
Lovely 10″ selection with blue color that holds up well throughout the summer. Wonderful planted … Continued
forsythia
Forsythia x intermedia
This hardy, deciduous, shrub has an irregular upright, arching habit. Forsythias need room to grow … Continued
Four o’clocks
Mirabilis jalapa
An heirloom garden standard grown as an annual, these colorful antiques will self-seed and return … Continued
‘Lipstick’ ornamental strawberry
Fragaria ‘Lipstick’
Ornamental strawberry with mounded habit and dark green foliage, topped with deep rose red flowers … Continued
strawberry
Fragaria ananassa
Glossy red, long-necked fruit, ‘Ozark Beauty’, ‘Tri Star’, ‘Seascape’ and ‘Eversweet’ have a mild, sweet … Continued
wild strawberry
Fragaria virginiana
Ground-hugging foliage produces loose clusters of small, five-petaled flowers followed by tasty, wild strawberries. Found … Continued