Drought Defenders : Resilient Perennials

"Perennials that Prevail: Building a Drought-Resistant Garden"

Perennials That Do Not Die in Drought

Climate change is making summers hotter and drier in many places, so choosing the right plants for your yard is important. Choosing plants that can handle drought will save time, money, and stress. Here are some of the best annual plants that can withstand drought:

Sedums

Sedums are plants with thick, swollen leaves that can store water. There are many different sizes, shapes, and colors. Autumn Joy, Dragon's Blood, and Blue Spruce Stonecrop are all common types. Once established, sedums can handle dryness and do not need much watering, even in full sun. Pollinators are drawn to them when they bloom in late summer.

Lavender

Lavender grows well in hot, dry places where it can show off its sweet purple flowers. Munstead and Hidcote are two types of English lavender that do well in dry conditions. Lavender grows best in soft soil that drains well and gets full sun. Cut back plants in the spring to get them to grow new leaves. Lavender can live with little water, but it blooms best when it gets a few deep soakings now and then.

Russian Sage

Russian sage is an annual plant with silvery leaves and lots of purple flower spikes in the middle to end of summer. Once it is established, it can handle both heat and dryness. You can cut back Russian sage in the spring to keep it from getting too big and to help it grow new leaves. Good airflow helps keep people from getting sick. Russian sage is good for borders, home gardens, and gardens for pollinators.

Yarrow

Yarrow is a perennial plant in the aster family. It has leaves that look like ferns and flower groups with flat tops. Common yarrow and other mixed types do well in sandy, dry soils that do not need much watering. Yarrow can grow from 1 to 3 feet tall, depending on the type. It grows quickly, which makes it great for putting in large groups. In wet places, yarrow can die. Every two to three years divide clumps.

Salvias

There are many great plants for dry gardening in the salvia family, such as perovskia (Russian sage), farinacea (mealycup sage), and nemorosa (woodland sage). Salvias have flowers with spikes that hummingbirds and butterflies love. They do best in full sun and dirt that drains well. Early in the spring, cut it back by one-third. Add compost to help keep water in the soil. Check out our article on Savias.

Flower Blanket

Blanket flower (Gaillardia) grows best in hot, dry, and sunny places. It is native to grasslands and meadows. There are yellow, orange, red, and purple flowers. Depending on where they grow, blanket flowers can be either annuals or short-lived perennials. Pinch back dead flowers to get them to bloom again. Butterflies and bees like it. See our detailed article on how to grow and care for blanket flowers.

Coreopsis

Tickseed, called coreopsis, has bright blooms resembling daisies for most of the summer. Many kinds, like Early Sunrise, Moonbeam, and Zagreb, can handle a lot of dryness. Coreopsis gets to a height of 1 to 2 feet and spreads easily. Flowers bloom best in full sun. Pinch off dead flowers to make room for new ones. Birds and butterflies are drawn to it.

By picking the right drought-tolerant plants, you can make a beautiful garden that can handle dry weather and does not need much watering or care. Pay close attention to what each plant needs to grow well. Even if it is dry, your plant can do well if you plan.

You need to plan and choose carefully to make a garden with plants that can survive drought. Choosing the right perennials can distinguish between a suffering garden and one that does well with little water. Perennials like sedums, lavender, Russian sage, yarrow, salvias, blanket flower, and coreopsis do well even when hot and dry.

Prepare the soil well, give new plants time to grow deep roots, and give them deep watering occasionally during long dry spells. Put mulch around plants to keep water from escaping. Adding drought-tolerant perennials to your landscape can reduce your work to keep your yard looking beautiful and full of life all year. With some planning and understanding, you can get through the dry times ahead and have a garden that does well even when it is hot.

Recent Related Articles:

Creating a Vibrant Garden with Pentas Flowers: Your Guide

Gorgeous Roses that Require Little Maintenance: Rugosa Roses

Conserving Water: Your Ultimate Guide to Drought-Tolerant Plants