Due to the weather conditions provided by nature nowadays, we have less and less rain. But in the past, this was not the case, so it was easier for people to grow a beautiful garden. You don’t have to be sad about that, all you have to do is choose plants that are drought tolerant and need less water than others.
One of the best ways to reduce water consumption is to find perennial and annual low maintenance plants. The following are good plants to grow.
Drought Tolerant Perennials Plants
Golden Marguerite
Anthemis is an excellent perennial for poor soil; it may become tall and leggy if grown in rich soil. This plant is ideal for a well-drained spot in full sun. Drought tolerant once established.
Zones: 3-9
False Sea Pink
As its name implies, Sea Pinks are found naturally along coastlines where few other plants can handle the high salt concentration. Inland, this attribute makes them useful for planting along sidewalks or driveways that are salted in winter. They are also good candidates for rock gardens, troughs, or between pavers.
Zones: 3-8
Butterfly Weed
Gather bouquets of Asclepias all summer long; the long stems are wonderful for cutting and are long-lasting. Sear the ends of the cut stems over a flame to stop the milky sap from leaking out. Following the fabulous flowers, green fruits develop which rupture to reveal seeds with long, silvery-white, silky hairs reminiscent of its cousin, common milkweed. These are great to use in dried flower arrangements.
Zones: 3-9
Butterfly Bush
Butterfly Bushes have certainly earned their place in the garden over the years, and its easy to see why. Just when we need a breath of fresh air in the late summer heat, they happily burst into bloom. At a time when many other plants are already spent, Buddleia are just beginning their show. Their passive coloring and texture makes a wonderful backdrop for perennials, and you’ll love the butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds that flock to their honey-scented blossoms.
Zones: 5-10
Coneflower
Praised for their cheerful brightly colored flowers, coneflowers are a mainstay in today’s garden. Be sure to leave some spent blooms on the plants in the fall because their seeds provide winter food for finches and other birds. The dried seed heads also provide architectural interest in the winter.
Zones: 4-9
Drought Tolerant Annual Plants
Zinnias
Native to Mexico, zinnias are easy to grow from seed. Sow them directly in the garden. They love heat so much that when the weather is cool, they don’t grow or flower very well.
They especially prefer hot, dry weather once they are established and make perfect cut flowers. One of the best parts about zinnias is that the more flowers you cut, the more the plants produce.
Zones: 3-10
Periwinkle
Native to Africa and also known as vinca, this is one of the most heat tolerant of all annuals. Thriving in full, hot sun, it blooms prolifically from early summer until frost.
It is particularly useful as a ground cover, because it grows equally as well in sun or shade. Though blooming—which occurs in late spring—is much better in the sun.
Zones: 4-8
Cosmos
Native to Mexico, the cosmos is an airy and delicate flower that adds nice texture and color to the summer garden. Once the seedlings are established, they can withstand long periods of heat and drought.
They will also seed themselves, so you’ll often find seedlings, both later in the season and the next year.
Zones: All
Celosia
Children are often attracted to these plants because the flowers don’t look like ordinary flowers. The normally large, velvety blooms of crested celosia feel fake even when they are fresh, and they dry beautifully.
To dry them, simply cut them when they are fully open, and hang them upside down in a dark, dry place for a couple of weeks. This plant also makes an outstanding freshly cut flower.
Zones: 10-11
Petunias
Originally native to South America, petunias are heat and drought tolerant and are a favorite summer bedding plant all over the country. In late spring and summer, you’ll find a multitude of types and colors available at garden centers.
These beautiful flowers have a habit of becoming lanky as the season progresses and do well when trimmed back. Even the ones in your hanging baskets will benefit—looking neater and putting out new shoots—if you prune some of the stems back.
Zones: 9-11