Now that the dog days of summer are upon us it is time to carefully watch your garden. Like us, plants need nutrition and water to survive. And like us, the hot summer heat can quickly take a toll on young and mature plants alike if not monitored wisely. For most people, it is easy enough to just go inside to a cool, refreshing, air conditioned house. Unless all of your plants are potted, it’s not so easy. If it is hard for you to get out and water your plants you may want to consider using plants that are more drought tolerant for your garden. These plants are easier to maintain and can survive hot conditions when others may fail.
Perennials are a favorite for any gardener. Different perennials flower at distinctive times and for many, maintenance is as easy as cutting them back in the fall. Many perennials however require regular watering to keep
Asclepias tuberosa
those wonderful blooms alive. A drought tolerant perennial may be best for you and your landscape. Try Agastache, also known as hysopp, with its fragrant foliage and flowers in the summer. The blue, orange or pink spikes can be a wonderful addition. A must have for summer blooms should be an Echinacea purpurea (purple coneflower). Large daisy like flowers will fill your beds with ease with little rain. If growing native plants is more your style, try Asclepias tuberosa, known to many as butterfly weed. This perennial has amazing orange flowers in late spring through summer. Not only is it drought tolerant but it is sure to attract many butterflies to your home.
Are you having trouble growing a suitable flowering shrub for your landscape? Try Caryopteris. There are a few nice varieties including Caryopteris ‘blue mist’ as well as the yellow ‘sunshine blue’. Both grow 2-3’ tall and wide with purple flowers and are foolproof when it comes to drought resistance. Buddleia, also known as butterfly bush is also a great choice for drought tolerance. If you are working with a small space, try ‘blue chip’ or ‘ice chip’ which stay about 2-3’ tall and wide for a nice late summer flower. The larger variety shrubs are also a nice choice for dry locations with more room to grow.
Caryopteris ‘Sunshine blue’
Catalpa Tree
Most trees will develop some sense of drought tolerance once established and mature. If you are forgetful about watering though there are a couple of trees that may be lenient with you. The catalpa tree is a large tree best suited for a large lawn. White flowers burst in late spring to compliment the light green foliage. The hackberry tree is also a tough tree that can tolerate a wide range of soils and drought conditions. This large tree can grow 40-60’ tall and wide. Since this tree is a native species, a little drought will have little effect on its growth and health.
All plants will perform better on a regular watering schedule. Many of us however may find it difficult to get out and routinely water our plants. If that is the case, try some of these drought tolerant plants and watch your water bill as well as your stress level decrease.
