Some landscape plants tolerate long periods without water much better than others, as you might have noticed while trying to keep your yard from wilting during the hot summer months. Luckily, there are a few perennial plants that you can add to your garden that will not only grow to be drought-tolerant but will also come back year after year. They take a year or two to establish, but once mature, provide great options for areas that are prone to drought.

If you’re looking to liven up your landscape, try any of these perennials that are drought tolerant and don’t need much water to stay healthy during a hot, dry summer spell.

Dianthus

Commonly referred to as ‘pinks’ or ‘Sweet William’, this plant is comprised of pink, red, and white hued flowers and has a fragrance with notes of cinnamon or clove. This plant is one that is smaller in size, growing to be between 6 and 18 inches

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Amsonia

Known for its star-shaped, blue blossoms, Amsonia prefers to grow in full sun and can grow to be up to 3 feet tall and 2 feet wide.

Lamb’s ear

Lamb’s ear is another perennial that loves the sun and is grown for its thick, silvery, fuzzy foliage. This plant is one that spreads throughout the garden and is great for sunny areas where you would like a ground cover.

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Catmint

Catmint is an aromatic perennial herb that produces clusters of blue-lavender flowers. It has a rich history, with Romans using it as herbal tea and insect repellent.

Coreopsis

Coreopsis are daisy-like plants that are low-maintenance, long-blooming, and drought tolerant. With over 80 species, coreopsis is another plant that comes in many colors and forms - there’s one to suit every garden!

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Daylily

Daylilies function just as their name suggests - their blooms flourish in the morning and die by nightfall. However, the plant will grow anywhere between 200-400 blooms in a season.

Penstemon

Penstemon is a great option to add to your perennial garden if you’re looking for plants that come in a variety of colors, bloom times, and shapes. Historically, penstemon was used by Native Americans in a variety of herbal remedies.

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Sedum

There are many varieties and species of sedum, making them suitable for almost any garden or landscape design. Also known as ‘stonecrop’, sedum grows in both low-growing and upright varieties.

Gaura

The gaura plant loves the sun, and will not leave you disappointed, as the origin of its name comes from the Green word gauros, meaning superb. Its extended bloom time and bright pink colors all add to the benefits of planting gaura in your garden.

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Salvia

Salvia varieties are known to thrive in poor, dry soil and are extremely easy to grow. Depending on the variety, salvias can come in all sorts of colors, shapes, and sizes.

Yarrow

Yarrow is an excellent addition to any garden, as it grows well in conditions that are less than ideal, and is also resistant to drought and pests. Add yarrow to your landscape and watch the butterflies flock!

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