Drought Tolerant Plants

However, there are many plants, both annuals and perennials that are drought tolerant.

That doesn't mean they don't need water at all, it just means that they don't get as thirsty as many garden plants and can withstand dry conditions.

You will, however, need to supply ample water to drought tolerant plants for the first few weeks until they adapt to their new surroundings.

Drought tolerant Perennials

Perennial plants are favorites in the garden because they come back and multiply each year.

Artemisia comes in several varieties, some reaching two feet in height. Although it flowers in late summer, this plant is loved for its beautiful silvery feather-shaped leaves.

It's a beautiful contrast to brightly colored flowering plants in beds. The plant is easily propagated by rooting stem cuttings in water.

Another favorite gray-leaved plant is lamb's ears. The fuzzy leaves are irresistible, so plant it where you can enjoy this feature.

It's a ground hugging plant, only growing to about a foot tall, and bears small pink flowers in mid-summer.

Though the leaves appear to rot in winter, turning into a pile of mush, the plant will return in spring with new growth.

Common yarrow is available in a variety of colors, from white and cream to yellows and red. They have silvery leaves and grow about two feet tall.

Fernleaf yarrow can grow to almost four feet tall. The leaves are feathery and small, giving it a delicate appearance in the garden.

They're great for making fresh or dried arrangements, along with baby's breath and globe thistle, two more drought tolerant perennials.

Others perennials to consider include coneflower, Iceland poppy, moss phlox and butterfly weed.

Drought tolerant Annuals

By adding a few annuals to a bed of drought tolerant plants, you can have continuous bloom during the growing season and variety from year to year.

For a creeping plant that flowers from mid-summer till the first frost, try creeping zinnia. They spread quickly and grow to about six inches tall.

As a groundcover or along walks, you'll love the bright yellow or orange flowers with dark purple centers. Additional annuals to include are four-o'clocks, rose moss and zinnias.

Globe amaranth is available as a dwarf plant growing only six inches tall or as a tall edging plant that grows to eighteen inches.

White, yellow, purple and rose flowers are available and are beautiful in dried flower arrangements. Cut the stems as the flowers open and hang upside-down in small bunches to dry.

More favorite drought tolerant plants that work beautifully as dried flowers are sweet alyssum and statice.

The delicate white flowers of sweet alyssum grow to only four to eight inches, while and statice grows as tall as two feet tall and is available in a variety of colors.

Gardeners have many options when selecting drought tolerant plants for their landscape. Once established, a grouping of these plants will provide continuous flower and leaf color and texture throughout the growing season.

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