Maximilian sunflower
Helianthus maximiliani
State flower of Kansas Clusters of bright yellow flowers in September atop 6-8′ stalks. An … 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—
Helianthus maximiliani
State flower of Kansas Clusters of bright yellow flowers in September atop 6-8′ stalks. An … Continued
Heliopsis helianthoides var. scabra 'Bleeding Hearts'
Flowers emerge intense orange-red and mature to golden orange with red centers from July until … Continued
Heliopsis helianthoides 'Summer Sun'/Heliopsis helianthoides var. scabra ‘Sunstruck’
‘Summer Sun’ is a long-blooming hardy perennial that produces yellow, semi-double daisy flowers with deep … Continued
Heliopsis helianthoides
Bright yellow daisies open in late summer thru fall on tall native plants. Tolerates some … Continued
Heliotropium arborescens
This South American subshrub will be looking good in containers in the heat of summer … Continued
Hemerocallis 'Bertie Ferris'
Beautiful miniature apricot-colored blooms with lightly ruffled edges.
Hemerocallis hybrids
‘Bright Sunset’ produces 6″, highly fragrant flowers the color of a tropical sunset: burnt coppery-orange … Continued
Hemerocallis hybrids
Other apricot-colored daylilies will look dull in comparison to this vibrant, crowd-pleasing variety. ‘Collier’ is … Continued
Hemerocallis hybrids
‘Little Grapette’ is a miniature daylily with 2″ wide flowers atop 18″ stalks. Light grape-purple … Continued
Hemerocallis hybrids
‘Prairie Wildfire’ produces 5″ fragrant, rich red flowers with slightly recurved petals and a yellow … Continued
Hemerocallis 'Double Pardon Me'
‘Double Pardon Me’ has flowers with as many as 18 tepals in beautiful deep wine … Continued
Hemerocallis 'Hyperion'
In cultivation for nearly 90 years, ‘Hyperion’ produces 5″, canary yellow blooms with a tiny, … Continued