Water Wise
Drought-Tolerant Plants
Keeping up with watering can be a tough job in the summer heat. Use plants in your garden that can take a little dry spell.
Water Wise? Drought Tolerant?
For the purposes of our discussion, we’re broadly referring to plants that can handle our customers’ hot Pennsylvania summer without constant watering.
Technically, water wise refers to plants that evolved in places with low amounts of annual precipitation. The length of time they can go without water and grow as usual tends to be longer than most other plants.
The term drought tolerant refers to plants that can handle temporary periods of drought. They may go dormant or lose foliage during these times, but once normal moisture levels return, so do their usual growth habits.
While many use these terms interchangeably, some people are sticklers. Don’t worry, we won’t be testing you.
Annuals vs. Perennials
We all love annuals. They’re an ideal way to try new plants and colors from year to year. However, perennials (especially native perennials) tend to require less water than annuals. So if you can commit to at least some perennials in your garden, your water bill will thank you!
But don’t fret. Some annuals take the heat better than others. Read on for suggestions of drought-tolerant plants of all kinds.
Annuals
Cosmos
Strawflower
Lantana
Nasturtium
Visit our Planting Tips page for more suggestions of drought-tolerant annuals, part of our informational sheet titled “Drought & Moisture-Tolerant Plants.”
Perennials
Coneflower
Dianthus
Ice plant
Russian sage
Hens and chicks
Lamb’s ear
To see many more drought-tolerant perennials, visit our Planting Tips page. The “Drought & Moisture-Tolerant Plants” and “Landscaping with Native Plants” sheets should both be useful.
Herbs
Lavender
German chamomile
Rosemary
Summer savory
View our “Drought & Moisture-Tolerant Plants” sheet for more herbs that are drought tolerant.
Vines
Silver lace vine
English ivy
Trumpet honeysuckle
Wisteria
For more water-wise vines, view our “Drought & Moisture-Tolerant Plants” sheet on our Planting Tips page.
Shrubs
Barberry
Butterfly bush
Juniper
Scotch Broom
Blue spirea
Japanese laurel
See more shrubs that sip water on our “Drought & Moisture-Tolerant Plants” informational sheet.
Questions?
Our team is ready quench your thirst for knowledge about water-wise gardening. Give us a call or visit our two locations.
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