Our climate is changing, and learning to be smarter about water is one way to cope with those changes. Choosing drought-tolerant plants for your landscape will not only save water, but will also save you money on your bills. Combine minimal watering with low-maintenance plants and you have the perfect combination.
You don’t have to sacrifice flowers or lush foliage if you choose the right plants. Perennials, evergreens, bulbs, natives, etc. offer options that meet both requirements. There are even drought-tolerant fruit trees that will provide a rich harvest for your garden.
Make a list of garden features such as well-drained soil, sun exposure, accessibility, and other factors. Even the most undemanding plants will grow best in good, well-drained soil with some sun. Amend the soil as needed and make sure the plants have enough space for their mature size.
Also, make sure the plant is suitable for your USDA hardiness zone before investing.
Here are some drought-tolerant, easy-to-care plants we recommend you consider.
1. Mexican Feather Grass
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Many ornamental grasses require little care and watering once established, but Mexican feather grass (Very thin cover) have exceptional adaptability.
Hardy in USDA zones 7-10, the grass thrives in almost any soil type and produces a sea of wavy leaves covered in airy flower clusters. It will grow up to 20 inches (25.4 cm) tall with a similar spread.
Plant Mexican feather grass in well-drained soil in a location with full sun. It will need extra water when first planted, but once established it is extremely drought tolerant.
While maintenance-free, you can help your plant look its best by cutting it back a few inches from the ground in late winter to early spring, or by finger-brushing or raking away old dead grass. To prevent self-seeding, remove the flower cluster before it has completely dried out.
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2. Abelia
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Abelia (Large flowered Abelia) makes a beautiful specimen at the back of the border, highlighting smaller plants. This is an evergreen shrub that is hardy to USDA zones 4-11.
The shrub has a pleasing natural shape, but can be pruned to shape. It has delicate leaves, arching stems, and bell-shaped flowers that appear in spring and bloom from new wood. Cultivars come in pink, yellow, or white flowers. There are also variegated forms.
Abelia thrives in full sun or partial shade, in well-drained soil. It is drought tolerant once established, although extra watering is recommended in a dry spring to encourage flowering.
3. Juniper
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Give this evergreen some time and it will create a carpet of blue throughout the space. Orchid Juniper (Juniper Horizontal) does not need pruning unless it exceeds the limit.
This drought-tolerant groundcover only grows about 1.5 feet (46cm) tall but can slowly spread up to 10 feet (3.5m) over time.
The creeping juniper prefers full sun and dry soil. It doesn’t mind hot summers or cold winters and is hardy down to USDA zone 3. Once established, you won’t need to do much more than water occasionally if temperatures are high.
The best thing is that this is a native plant of North America that can withstand all the harsh conditions of nature.
4. Strawberries
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With its fresh berries and sharp thorns, the sorrel (Berber vulgar) brings both beauty and protection to a property. Many homeowners plant it outside bedroom windows to deter snoopers.
Despite its thorny nature, the small, round, oval leaves are brightly colored. There are yellow versions, but the classic is a plant with burgundy leaves. There are also variegated forms where the colors blend together. The flowers are yellow and small but add a touch of spring charm.
There are many sizes of Berberis plants to choose from, with dwarf forms and larger bushes that can grow nearly 6 feet (1.8 m) tall. The bush can be pruned if you want to keep the plant smaller or to allow for long, arching stems.
Depending on the cultivar, sorrel shrubs are hardy to USDA hardiness levels 4-8. A few are even hardier.
5. Yes
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Have (Have spp.) is an attractive, virtually maintenance-free evergreen shrub. The way its leaves overlap perfectly is fascinating. The leaves are thick and the stems are compact and close together. There are variegated, green, and even pink-leafed varieties.
You can prune hebe if you wish but they do not need pruning, forming a natural rounded shape. If you choose to prune them, do so after they bloom in spring – they produce small, bottlebrush-shaped flowers that are purple or white.
Hebe plants do best when given a little water as they grow and in the hottest summers; otherwise, they are drought tolerant. Hebe plants can tolerate salt spray and are not bothered by rodents. Most varieties are hardy to USDA zones 7-11.
6. Wisteria
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With deep purple-red leaves growing on slender, year-round woody stems, loropetalum – also known as Chinese tassel shrub – is one of the easiest plants to care for.
This Asian native shrub produces pink, fringed flowers in the spring. There are many sizes and shapes of this plant. Some are ground covers and others grow to about 5 feet (1.5 m) tall.
Loropetalums only need half a day of sun, well-drained soil and space to grow. They look great when planted in clumps – a great show of colour without much maintenance. You can prune them if you want, but wait until after they bloom in spring.
This is an acid-loving plant, suitable for soil with a pH of about 5.5. Loropetalum can withstand USDA zones 7-9, some varieties can withstand zone 10.
