There is an increased awareness of the need for efficient water use and water conservation practices in the home landscape. Water bans or restrictions force us to examine the water requirements of some of our favorite plants. Certain species of annuals and perennials are more drought tolerant than others and will make attractive additions to our gardens. Drought tolerant plants still require water to survive, but have the ability to tolerate periods of little water.
All plants require a fair amount of water to become established. It is a good idea to incorporate compost of organic matter into the soil before planting to increase the soil's ability to retain moisture. Plants may be watered more efficiently by using soaker hoses or trickle irrigation systems. Organic mulches such as grass clippings, buckwheat hulls, composted leaves or other weed-free material will help to reduce evaporation from the soil's surface. Black plastic mulch or landscape fabrics may also be used.
Try some of the following annuals or perennials for their beautiful colors and textures as well as their tolerance to drought. Consult seed and plant catalogs, garden centers or horticultural reference books for growth habits such as height, spread and color of the plants indicated.
Annuals
- Ageratum
- Amaranthus
- Arctotis
- Brachycome - Swan River Daisy
- Catharanthus - Vinca
- Celosia - Cockscomb
- Centaurea - Bachelor Buttons
- Cosmos
- Cynoglossum
- Dimorphotheca - African Daisy
- Eschscholzia - California Poppy
- Gaillardia - Annual Blanket Flower
- Gomphrena
- Gourds - ornamental
- Gypsophila - Baby's Breath
- Helipterum
- Ipomoea - Morning Glory
- Mesembryanthemum - Ice Plant
- Mirabilis - Four O'Clock
- Nolana - Chilean Bell Flower
- Petunia
- Portulaca - Moss Rose
- Salvia
- Sanvitalia - Creeping zinnia
- Tropaeolum - Nasturium
- Verbena
Perennials
- Achillia - Yarrow
- Anthemis - Golden Marguerite
- Armeria - Sea Thrift
- Amsonia - Blue Star
- Artemisia
- Antennaria - Pussy Toes
- Aurinia - Basket of Gold
- Boltonia
- Catanache - Cupid's Dart
- Certastium - Snow In Summer
- Coreopsis
- Echinacea - Cone Flower
- Echinops
- Epimedium
- Erynigium - Sea Holly
- Euphorbia - Spurge
- Gaillardia - Blanket Flower
- Gypsophila - Baby's Breath
- Hedera helix - English Ivy
- Iberis - Candytuft
- Lychnis
- Malva - Mallow
- Pachysandra
- Perovskia - Russian Sage
- Rudbeckia - Black-eyed Susan
- Sedum
- Sempervivum - Hen and Chicks
- Stachys - Lamb's Ears
- Verbascum - Mullein
- Yucca
Revised by UConn Home and Garden Education Center 2016.