Are you busy but still want to create your own little garden oasis? Well, it’s everyone’s wish to have a low-maintenance garden that looks visually appealing.
This is where drought-tolerant plants come into play that can survive the hottest summer with little to no water. Pretty cool, right?
We all know that water scarcity is becoming a severe issue in many regions of the world. As a result, it is becoming increasingly important to conserve water at every opportunity.
With that in mind, drought-tolerant plants have the ability to survive and thrive with minimal water. Drought-tolerant plants are a viable way to decrease water consumption, conserve resources, and save money on utilities, especially during drought.
Drought-tolerant plants can come in a variety of colors, shapes, and sizes, which makes them suitable for any form of landscaping, from ornamental to xeriscaping.
Planting these heat and drought-resistant plants is a smart move. So why not incorporate them in your garden design and landscaping?
Why Drought-Tolerant Plants
Plants that are drought-tolerant have the capacity to save water through their leaves, roots, and stem parts, allowing them to thrive in areas with little to no water. The importance of drought-tolerant plants lies in their ability to mitigate soil erosion, increase biodiversity, and maintain ecosystem services.
What Makes Drought-tolerant So Special
Plants that are drought-tolerant have properties that make them suitable for arid or dry conditions. Two of the most important traits are deep root systems and hardy leaves. Deep root systems allow plants to access water that is deeper in the soil, which aids in survival during prolonged periods of drought. The roots of these plants often extend far below the surface, allowing them to tap into moisture reserves that are out of reach for more shallow-rooted plants.
Meanwhile, hardy leaves help drought-tolerant plants conserve water by reducing water loss through transpiration. For instance, some desert plants have leaves that are coated in wax or hair, which helps to prevent water from evaporating from the surface of the leaf. While other plants may have small leaves or no leaves at all, relying instead on thick stems to photosynthesize and store water. Because of these mind-blowing characteristics, drought-tolerant plants are able to survive and even flourish in dry environments with minimal water.
Examples of Popular Drought-tolerant Plants
Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia)
Russian Sage is an excellent choice for a drought-tolerant plant that can survive in the driest climates. The hardy perennial shrub grows between 3 and 5 feet in height, with silvery-gray stems and lavender-blue flowers blooming from mid-summer to early fall. The aromatic flowers make it a great selection for xeriscape as they can draw in pollinators such as bees and butterflies.
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
This hardy perennial is easy to grow and is perfect for ground covers and borders. Yarrow can grow to a height of 2- 4 feet with bright green leaves and clusters of small white flowers. The flowers may also come in the shade of yellow, pink, or red. Yarrow grows best in full sun but can also grow in partial shade. It is a great choice for low-maintenance landscaping as it is pest resistant and can tolerate extreme heat and cold.
Coneflower (Echinacea)
Do you want to attract butterflies and birds to your yard? Then, coneflower would be a perfect addition to your garden. This hardy perennial is native to North America and can be found growing wild in many parts of the United States and Canada. Coneflower blooms in a range of colors, including pink, purple, and white. They bloom from midsummer to fall.
Lavender (Lavandula)
Lavender is a flowering plant from the mint family. This herb is known for its outstanding aroma and medicinal properties. This plant is not only low-maintenance but is perfect for walking borders. Lavender can grow from 1 to 3 feet tall, standing out with its soft spiky foliage and beautiful purple flowers.
Ensure that your lavender plant gets at least 6 hours of full sun daily.
Rosemary
Rosemary is an excellent drought-tolerant plant that can survive in even the driest climates. The Mediterranean region is home to this fragrant evergreen shrub that is often utilized in cooking. Rosemary has deep green, needle-like leaves with small blue flowers which bloom in summer. Rosemary prefers getting full sun and can tolerate extreme heat and cold.
Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)
Blackeyed Susan is a drought-tolerant, sun-loving perennial flower that can survive in the driest climates. The daisy-like blooms come in shades of yellow, red, and orange and are sure to brighten up any garden.
This daisy-like flower will give you long-lasting cut flowers with dazzling golden rays of petals surrounding a dark brown or black center. Plant them in well-drained soil and give them enough water so they won’t go thirsty.
Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is a succulent plant with thick, fleshy leaves that is native to warm and dry environments. Aloe vera grows best in direct sunlight and can be planted in gardens, containers or even hanging baskets. It can tolerate drought-like conditions and requires little water to survive. The leaves of aloe vera are known for their healing properties and contain a soothing gel that helps treat minor burns or cuts.
This plant is an ideal choice for those who want to bring a touch of greenery to your drought-tolerant garden.
Sedum (Stonecrops)
From garden borders to indoor potted plants, sedum is one of the most versatile and beautiful plants around. This drought-tolerant plant has succulent foliage that ranges in color from green to gray and in form from tiny leaves to fleshy finger-like stems. When it comes time for blooming, sedum will put on a show with its bright yellow and pink flowers. One of the best features of this plant is that it requires very little maintenance and can thrive even in areas where water is limited or difficult to access.
Creeping Juniper (Juniperus horizontalis)
Creeping juniper is a low-growing, drought-tolerant plant with needle-like foliage and very small cones. This evergreen shrub is fast-growing, and hardy in colder climates with only little maintenance. With its thick ground coverage, creeping juniper can fill large areas with remarkable ease, making it an ideal ground cover for sloped landscapes. In addition to its low water requirements, this plant also solves soil erosion problems effectively.
Catmint (Nepeta)
Catmint is a drought-tolerant perennial plant that blooms with beautiful violet, pink and white flowers in the late spring and summer months. Its fragrant scent is attractive to pollinators like bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. It also has an aromatic fragrance making it great for filling gardens with natural aromas.
Agave
Agave is an attractive, drought-tolerant plant that can thrive in even the hottest and driest of climates. With its spiky foliage and rosette shape, it’s a great addition to any garden or landscape design. Agave has long been used for ornamental purposes such as lining walkways or driveways, but it can also be used to create a beautiful oasis in your backyard. Planting agave in well-drained soil allows it to gather sunlight while retaining water more efficiently, giving you a low-maintenance, worry-free garden life.
Tips for Caring for A Drought Resistant Garden
Despite their reputation for thriving in dry conditions, proper care is necessary for these hardy plants to flourish in your garden. One of the most important factors in caring for drought-tolerant plants is proper watering.
While they require less water than other plants, it’s still important to maintain a consistent watering schedule to keep them healthy. It is preferable to provide deep watering to these plants rather than frequent, light watering. This encourages the growth of deep roots that can better withstand drought conditions.
Additionally, selecting the correct soil type for your drought-tolerant plants is important. Sandy soils have quick drainage, which can be beneficial for certain plants, while clay soils are more moisture retentive.
Finally, applying a layer of mulch around your plants can help retain moisture and protect their roots from temperature changes.
For an in-depth guide on how to care for drought-tolerant plants go here.
Final Thoughts on Drought-tolerant Plants
In conclusion, drought-tolerant plants are a practical solution for gardeners looking to conserve water and maintain a beautiful garden. These plants not only save water, but they require less maintenance and can provide additional benefits such as attracting wildlife like butterflies and hummingbirds. By incorporating drought-tolerant plants into your garden plan, you can create a vibrant garden that is both attractive and sustainable. If you are not satisfy with the list of drought resistant plants in this article you can go here to find tons of ideas along with its hardiness.
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