white yarrow
Achillea millefolium
With long-lasting, flat-topped blooms, yarrow species are ubiquitous along roadsides and in open fields. Feathery … 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—
Achillea millefolium
With long-lasting, flat-topped blooms, yarrow species are ubiquitous along roadsides and in open fields. Feathery … Continued
Vitis riparia
These fast-growing, long-lived native vines thrive along riverbanks, roadsides, forest edges, and fence lines. Green … Continued
Satureja montana
With its strong spicy flavor, winter savory goes well with beans and meats, and including … Continued
Wisteria frutescens
Blooms in early summer and can rebloom later in the season. Give it the sturdy … Continued
Strelitzia reginae Aiton 'Mandela's Gold'
One of the best known of all the tropical flowers and cousin to the banana, … Continued
Rosa ‘Radsunny’
One of the most fragrant members of the Knock Out family with a slightly more … Continued
Baptisia sphaerocarpa
Showy upright, mounded native with yellow, pea-like blooms along yellow-green stems rising above a foliage … Continued
Yucca filamentosa
Excellent for hard to water sites, these plants offer a texture contrast and are adaptable … Continued
Yucca rostrata 'Sapphire Skies’
Striking, narrow, stiff, baby blue leaves form a dense crown atop a single trunk. A … Continued
Yucca filamentosa 'Color Guard'
‘Color Guard’ is a gold-centered variegated yucca with excellent ornamental qualities. It features leaves with … Continued
Malva sylvestris 'Zebrina'
A super tough perennial with soft pink flowers lined striking, raspberry-purple veins. 2″, bowl-shaped blooms … Continued
Zelkova serrata
‘Green Vase’ Japanese zelkova is a good street and shade tree with vase-shaped form with … Continued