Whether it is a need for general water conservation or because of water restrictions, efficient water use compels many of us to examine the water requirements of our gardens. Not to worry, becoming more environmentally conscious does not mean the only choice is cactus. Lush and colorful drought-tolerant perennial plants can deliver gratification and the appearance you want in your garden!
Providing the right environment and carefully selecting appropriate drought-tolerant plants can provide thriving, low-maintenance beauty. Drought tolerant perennials are perfect for those hoping to conserve water and money, as well as creating gardens in a harsh climate, or without a lot of rainfall.
Certain perennial species are more drought tolerant than others; and all plants still require water to survive, some just have better capacity to tolerate periods of less water. However, all plant, regardless of its drought tolerance requires regular watering until it is established. Even if they are tolerant of dry soil, make sure to keep all plants well-watered until they are fully established in your garden. They will also perform better with a deep watering if you see them beginning to wilt. Other factors that impact a perennial plants long term success include its hardiness zone, garden location, correct planting procedures, and soil type.
It never hurts to check with your local Cooperative Extension office for more ideas.
Some of our favorite perennials that tolerate dry conditions -
Achillea (Yarrow), Aegopodium (Snow-on-the-Mountain, Bishop's Weed), Agastache (Anise Hyssop), Alcea (Hollyhocks), Amsonia (Blue Stars), Andropogon (Big blue stem), Anthemis (Golden Marguerite), Arabis (Rock Cress),Armeria (Common Thrift, Sea Pinks), Artemisia (Wormwood), Asclepias tuberosa (Butterfly Weed), Baptisia (False Indigo), Belamcanda (Blackberry Lily), Bellium (Miniature Daisy), Buddleia (Butterfly Bush), Calamagrostis (Feather Reed Grass), Campsis (Trumpet Creeper), Centaurea (Perennial Bachelor's Button), Centranthus (Red Valerian, Jupiter's Beard), Cerastium (Snow in Summer), Clematis (Traveller's Joy, Old Man's Beard), Coreopsis (Tickseed),Cortaderia (Pampas Grass), Delosperma (Ice Plant), Dianthus (Pinks), Echinacea (Coneflower), Echinops (Globe Thistle), Epimedium (Barrenwort, Bishop's Hat, Horny Goat Weed), Erianthus (Ravenna Grass), Euonymous (Purple Leaf Wintercreeper), Euphorbia (Cushion Spurge), Festuca (Blue Fescue), Ficus (Creeping Fig), Gaillardia (Blanket Flower), Gaura (Butterfly Wand), Geranium sanguineum (Hardy Geranium, Cranesbill), Gypsophila (Baby's Breath), Helictotrichon (Blue Oat Grass), Helleborus (Lenten Rose), Hemerocallis (Daylily), Hosta (Plantation Lily),Iberis (Candytuft), Incarvillea (Hardy Gloxinia), Juniperus (Juniper), Kniphofia (Red Hot Poker), Lamiastrum (Deadnettle), Lamium ( Creeping Lamium,Spotted Deadnettle), Lantana, Lavandula (Lavender), Liatris (Gayfeather, Blazing Star), Liriope (Lily-turf), Lupinus (lupine), Malva (Hollyhock Mallow), Miscanthus (Maiden Grass), Nepeta (Catmint), Oenothera (Sundrops, Evening Primrose), Ophiopogon (lilyturf), Pachysandra (Japanese Spurge), Paeonia (Peony), Panicum (Switch Grass), Pardancanda (Candylily), Parthenocissus (Virginia creeper), Pennisetum (Fountain Grass), Penstemon (Beardtongue), Perovskia (Russian Sage), Phlox subulata (Creeping Phlox), Platycodon (Balloon Flower), Potentilla (cinquefoils, Barren Strawberries), Rubus calycinoides (Creeping Raspberry), Rudbeckia (Black-Eyed Susan), Salvia (Perennial Salvia), Saponaria (Rock Soapwort), Schizachyrium (Little Bluestem), Sedum (Stonecrop), Sempervivum (Hen & Chicks), Stachys (Lamb's Ear), Stokesia (Stokes' Aster), Tanacetum (Painted Daisy), Thymus (Creeping Thyme), Trachelospermum (Asiatic Jasmine), Verbena, Vinca (Myrtle, Periwinkle), and Yucca (Adam's Needle).
To check out all of our available Drought Tolerant Perennials, click here.