With all the hot, dry weather we’ve been having these drought-tolerant plants will be a welcome addition to your garden. Once established these plants will need less water and will add color and texture to your gardens in spring, summer, and fall. We’ve picked out seven of our favorite plants that thrive in dry conditions.
Agastache or Hummingbird Mint
An exceptional group of plants that are known for their profuse, long lasting showy spikes of blooms that attract both hummingbirds and butterflies. Their foliage and blooms are fragrant, being very reminiscent of anise candy. Drought and heat tolerant, they are best planted in sunny south or west facing slopes in lean, well drained soils. Agastaches must have excellent drainage, so do not plant near a wet area or water with a sprinkler system. To improve winter hardiness leave the stems intact. Remove old stems just above the new foliage in the spring. See the Agastache varieties we offer.
Allium or Ornamental Onions
This family of plants is very easy care and good-looking throughout the season. Allium are fun, easy to grow, and pest-free plants. They produce fleshy strap-like to narrow grass-like foliage from bulbs. The flower clusters come in a variety of colors including pink, purple, blue and white. Allium can also be found in our Herb section and in the Fall Bulb selection. They also can be a natural rabbit repellent. See the Allium varieties we offer.
Asclepias tuberosa or Butterfly Weed
This is considered to be the most garden worthy of our native milkweeds. Very showy, brilliant orange-red flowers are excellent for cutting and very attractive to bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. The seed pods are used in dried arrangements. It emerges late in spring, so be patient. The long tap root makes division difficult, but it will happily reseed. Do not prune it in the fall, but cut it back in the spring. A perfect plant for dry areas in the garden. Read more about Asclepias tuberosa.
Echinacea or Coneflowers
A perennial garden favorite, coneflowers are dependable and showy. These plants are wonderful for the border and for naturalizing. They have daisy-like flowers with a raised cone and sometimes drooping petals. The seed heads are excellent for dried flower arrangements and are an important food source for songbirds. For best results, plant in well-drained soil and give them space to grow. Echinaceas do not like to be crowded. See the Echinacea varieties we offer.
Gaillardia or Blanket Flower
Gaillardia get their common name ‘blanket flower’ from the way they used to blanket the prairie. They are one of the longest blooming perennials. The brightly colored, daisy-like flowers come in an astounding variety of shapes and colors. The plants perform best in poor, well drained soils, particularly in winter. They may be short lived in our heavy clay soils, but are worthy of a place in the garden for their months-long bloom period. Dividing blanket flowers every 2-3 years will help to keep them vigorous. See the Gaillardia varieties we offer.
Perovskia or Russian Sage
The silvery, aromatic foliage of all varieties of Perovskia make them resistant to deer and rabbits as well as drought tolerant. Many of the newer varieties are more compact than the standard species so they won’t overstep their welcome in your garden. Plant with sedums or grasses for a beautiful fall combination. See the Perovskia varieties we offer.
Sedum
These plants are our #1 drought-tolerant perennial pick. Besides being able to handle dry conditions They grow in so many different shapes and sizes. From the taller upright sedum to the low growing groundcover varities, you can’t beat them. The quick cover sedum mix flats are great to fill a larger area quickly or you can break the flats apart and tuck into your garden whereever you need a little coverage. See the Sedum varieties we offer.
There are many more drought-tolerant plants in bloom on our shelves right now! Come on in, shop the aisles, and ask us questions. We’re happy to help you choose the plants that are right for your site.
