If you live in an area with hot, dry summers, you know how much of a challenge it can be to keep your outdoor plants looking their best with limited watering.
But fear not—there are plenty of beautiful, low-maintenance options for full-sun areas that can withstand drought conditions once established.
In this article, I’ll share some top picks for drought-tolerant perennials, shrubs, trees, and groundcovers that thrive with little water after the initial establishment period.
Choosing Plants That Thrive in Full Sun with Less Water
For perennials, yarrow (Achillea spp.) is an excellent choice. With its ferny foliage and flat-topped flowers blooming in shades of white, pink, red, and yellow, yarrow brings lovely color and texture to the summer garden from early summer through fall. Even better, it spreads to form dense clumps that outcompete weeds.
Yarrow is extremely tough and can survive with just rainfall once established. Another top pick is Russian sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia), whose airy spikes of lavender-blue flowers attract butterflies and hummingbirds from July through September. The gray-green foliage is aromatic and drought-tolerant.
For a shrub with year-round interest, consider the butterfly bush (Buddleja davidii). In summer, its arching panicles of fragrant flowers in purple, pink, white, and blue provide a vital food source for butterflies and hummingbirds. Later, seedheads add visual appeal. The butterfly bush is very hardy and can withstand heat, humidity, and drought once established. Another great option is lilac (Syringa spp. and cultivars). Fragrant panicles of white, pink, or purple flowers bloom in spring, while the foliage takes on beautiful fall colors of red, orange, and purple. Lilacs are quite drought-tolerant and low-maintenance.
For trees, the ever-popular Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica) should top your list. Available in a range of sizes and vibrant flower colors, including pink, red, and purple, crape myrtles bloom non-stop in the summer. Their exfoliating bark adds winter interest.
Crape myrtles are very heat- and drought-tolerant. Another excellent choice is oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia). In summer, its large, sturdy panicles of white flowers age to pink, then rusty red. In the fall, its leaves take on beautiful shades of burgundy and purple before dropping. Oakleaf hydrangeas thrive in hot sun with very little water.
For groundcovers, consider creeping Phlox (Phlox subulata). In spring, it carpets the garden with colorful blooms of pink, blue, red, or white. Creeping phlox spreads to form a dense, moss-like groundcover that outcompetes weeds. It’s extremely drought-tolerant. Another top pick is the purple ice plant (Delosperma cooperi).
From spring through fall, its mats of gray-green foliage are blanketed with hot pink flowers. The ice plant thrives in full sun with minimal water and spreads quickly to cover large areas. It’s also deer-resistant!
When choosing plants for your hot, sunny areas, be sure to amend your soil with compost or other organic matter before planting to improve water retention. It’s also best to water newly planted perennials, shrubs, and trees regularly for the first year or two to allow them to establish strong root systems that can better withstand drought. Following these tips will ensure your garden thrives with less summer watering for years to come. I hope this list of the top drought-tolerant plants provides some inspiration for your own low-maintenance oasis. Let me know if you have any other questions!
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