Plants for Drought Conditions 

Following are a list of plants which are available now. They demand very little water. All are easy to grow, if you give them good sunlight and, more important, good drainage. These plants do need some water to get established but, once established, are drought resistant.

Begonia, Cosmos, Four-o’clocks, Gazanias, Ipomea (Sweet Potato Vine), Morning Glory, Dwarf (Convolvulus), Pennisetum set. 'Rubrum'- Purple fountain grass is a great late season plant. Portulaca (Moss rose), Sweet alyssum, Tithonia, (Mexican Sunflower), Vinca (Catharanthus rosea), Zinnia- The hybrid series, Profusion, is a super-tough bloomer that asks for little in the way of care but delivers much in the way of flowers.

Agastache "Blue Fortune", Alcea (Hollyhock), Asclepsis, Chrysogonum, Coreopsis vert. "Moonbeam", C. vert. "Zagreb", Delosperma(Hardy Iceplants), Dianthus, Echinacea purpurea (Coneflowers), Fragaria, Gaillardia (Blanketflower), Gaura linderheimeri (Wandflower), Grass, Ornamental- Calamagrostis, Carex, Erianthus, Festuca, Miscanthus, Panicum, Pennisetum), Gypsophilia, Heuchera villosa "Autumn Bride", Hibiscus, Lamium, Lamiastrum, Lavender, Liatrus, Nepeta "Walker’s Low"(Catmint), Oenthera (Evening Primrose), Opuntia (Hardy Cactus), Perovskia "Filigran"(Russian Sage), Salvia varieties including Salvia nemerosa "Blue Hill", and Salvia n."Snow Hill", Sedum-The taller varieties are beautiful for many months beginning in early summer, but are valued mostly for their late season blooms. Low growing varieties are effective ground covers, and have a beautiful trailing habit, if grown over walls or ledges., Sempervivum (Hens and Chicks, Houseleeks), Stachys (Lambs ear), Yucca

Shrubs- Aronia, Buddleia, Caryopteris (Bluebeard, Bluemist Spirea), Cedrus deodora, Cysistus, Diervilla, Fothergilla, Hydrangea serratas (Bluebird, Preziosa), Itea, Juniper, Ligustrum, Microbiota, Potentilla, Vitex, Weigela

Vines- Campsis (Trumpetvine), Clematis (Sweet Autumn), Lonicera (honeysuckle)

Agastache- This late blooming group are late blooming and prefer dry, average soils. "Blue Fortune" (2-3’) selected for its long lasting, profuse blue flower spikes that appear from July to September. Rock Anise Hyssop (Agastache rupertis) has great scented silvery foliage, warm orange flowers, and an upright shrubby habit. Other related varieties are "Apricot Sunrise"( 2-3’ apricot orange), "Firebird"(2-3’ raspberry coral), and "Summer Breeze"(2-3’ lavender).

Coreopsis vert. "Moonbeam"- 1992 Perennial Plant Assoc. Plant of the Year, this 18" thread leaf type has pale yellow flowers all summer long. C. vert. "Zagreb"- Another long blooming thread leaf type, this has a more compact habit(15") and clear yellow flowers.

Delosperma(Hardy Iceplants)-These South African natives have jellybean like foliage. Both are about 3-4" high and spread about 12". D. cooperi has single rose pink flowers from June through September. D. floribundum "Starburst" has a bright pink with white center flower during the same time.

Dianthus- Flowers are usually early in the season but the silvery blue foliage is effective all season. "Mountain Mist" has pink flowers (10-12"). "Frosty Fire" has double red flowers (8"). "Itsaul White" is a white form.

Echinacea purpurea- Coneflowers Like sun and average to dry soils."Magnus"- Rose-pink form(3’). "Bright Star"- This 2-3' long lived perennial has rose-pink daisy-like flowers from July to September. "White Swan"- A white flowering form of "Bright Star".

Gaura linderheimeri- Bright white or pink flowers on thin spikes(2-3’), in bloom June through September. Needs good winter drainage and hot, dry , full sun. "Corrie’s Gold" is a variegated form. "Siskiyou Pink" has rose pink flowers with darker foliage.

Heuchera- Most forms of the coral bells are very durable with attractive green or purple leaves and interesting flowers..

Nepeta- The Catmints bloom all summer. N. "Dawn to Dusk"(2-3’) has rose pink spikes from June to Sept. N. siberica "Souvenir D’Andre Chaudron" is a hardy upright selection.The longest bloomer we have found is "Walker’s Low"(2’) with bluish purple flowers April to Oct. .

Perovskia "Filigran"(Russian Sage)- This has a nice fine textured foliage , an upright habit, and light blue flowers over a long period of time.

Salvia nemerosa "Blue Hill"- True blue flowers from June to September. Compact habit to 15" and very floriferous. "Snow Hill" is a white form.

Sedum-Sedum's have succulent foliage. Sedum thrives in full sun, but will tolerate light shade. The taller varieties are beautiful for many months beginning in early summer, but are valued mostly for their late season blooms. Their upright clumps remain attractive in the winter landscape and are excellent for drying. Low growing varieties are effective ground covers, and have a beautiful trailing habit if grown over walls or ledges.

Sempervivum (Hens and Chicks, Houseleeks)- Sempervivum are easy to grow and are valued for their succulent colorful evergreen foliage which forms colorful rosettes.

Yucca- Spiky evergreen form with creamy whitish flowers in summer. "Color Guard" has bright gold centers and gets a pink tinge over the winter.

Shrubs

Buddleia- These 4-6’ shrubs are treated like perennials and should be trimmed to the ground each spring. They bloom best on new wood. There are several colors and varieties to chose from. All bloom from midsummer to frost. Some favorites are "Pink Delight", "Black Knight" (purple), and "White Profusion". "Nanho Blue" is an excellent compact varieties. "Honeycomb" is a new yellow form.

Itea