Garden Guide: Drought-Tolerant Perennials
Looking for drought-tolerant perennials that can beat the heat? Try any of these perennial plants that are drought tolerant and don’t need much water.
Garden Guide: Drought-Tolerant Flowering Shrubs
Once the roots are established, these are 9 of the drought-toughest flowering shrubs for U.S. gardens:
Spirea has become a popular landscape addition due to its long-lasting blooms. ChamilleWhite / iStock / Getty Images Plus
Spirea
Spirea has become a popular landscape addition due to its long-lasting blooms. Available in a variety of colors, spirea grows well in full sun and can be used in many different facets of a landscape, including hedges, mass plantings, and borders. They can grow anywhere between 1 and 8 feet tall and up to 6 feet wide depending on the variety.
Viburnum has some of the most variety within its genus, comprising over 150 different species. saraTM / iStock / Getty Images Plus
Viburnums
Viburnum has some of the most variety within its genus, comprising over 150 different species - there is a viburnum for every landscape! The one common attribute that all viburnums have in common is their easy care requirements - they thrive in average soil, have moderate watering needs, and prefer moderate weather.
Beautybush
The beautybush will thrive in well-drained, sunny areas. Beautybushes grow to be large in size, growing to be 10 to 15 feet wide and 6 to 10 feet tall. They are famous for their pale to deep pink and yellow flowers that bloom in late spring to early summer.
Abelia thrives in the sun and is very wide-spreading. Seven75 / iStock / Getty Images Plus
Abelia
When choosing a planting site for abelia, choose a place that gets lots of sunlight and has plenty of room. Abelia can spread to 6 feet wide and reach 6 to 10 feet in height.
Bayberry
Bayberry shrubs love to be planted in full sun and are not fussy about the soil they inhabit. They spread by root suckering similar to forsythia bushes - if you have the space, they will fill in empty areas on their own. If you do not want them to spread, it is important to remove new plants. If you enjoy birding, the bayberry bush will bring lots of hungry friends to your garden!
Butterfly bushes come in a variety of colors and robust sizes. Eastriverstudio / iStock / Getty Images Plus
Butterfly bush
Butterfly bushes are popular in gardens due to their beauty, easy-to-grow nature, and minimal care needed. They come in a variety of colors and robust sizes - growing anywhere from 4-12 feet tall and 3-8 feet wide depending on the variety. Plant butterfly bushes and watch the butterflies and hummingbirds flock for a visit!
Blue mist shrub
Adding blue mist shrubs to your landscape will be easy - as they are drought tolerant and love the sun. They are valued for their aromatic foliage and beautiful late summer flowers - sometimes compared to clouds of blue smoke or mist, hence its name!
Ninebark is an easy-care shrub that requires little to no pruning or special attention. Aquatarkus / iStock / Getty Images Plus
Ninebark
Ninebark is an easy-care shrub that requires little to no pruning or special attention. It can grow to be anywhere from 3-10 feet tall and 3-8 feet wide and can feature yellow, green or red-tinted leaves with white or pink flowers. It gets its name from its flaking bark, which peels away in layers from the maturing branches.
Shrub roses
Roses generally have a reputation for being difficult to care for - with shrub roses being the exception. They come in a wide variety of colors, ranging from pure white to deep purple. Growing best in full sun, shrub roses can max out at 20 feet tall and 15 feet wide, with smaller options available depending on the variety.
