Creating a robust, drought-tolerant garden involves more than simply choosing the appropriate flora.
Key Takeaways
- If you aim for your garden to remain attractive during scorching, arid conditions, it’s crucial to select flora that are indigenous and compatible with your regional temperature patterns.
- Effective irrigation, premium soil, and the application of mulch are three essential methods to make sure your garden can withstand drought conditions.
- A few tough plants suggested by the experts we spoke with for drought-tolerant gardens include Yarrow and Salvia.
Tending to a garden is about reintroducing beauty into the world—not only enhancing the look of your own yard, but also benefiting every neighbor, wildlife enthusiast, and insect that comes across it. Though you might focus primarily on the hues of blooms you wish to cultivate, it’s crucial to take Mother Nature’s changing requirements into account as well when designing your outdoor space, considering the challenges faced by our planet and the importance of using water wisely.
The good news? There’s a smart—and aesthetically pleasing—solution to your desire to consciously cultivate: a drought-resistant garden. Made up of plants that can handle dry conditions, these thoughtful landscapes conserve water, reduce maintenance, and enhance the beauty of your outdoor space. They’re the perfect solution in the face of water ordinances, especially hot summers, or unpredictable rainfall—and you won’t feel like you’re sacrificing beauty one bit. From choosing the best plants for your area to tips on
soil prep and watering
Below, you’ll discover simple-to-follow guidance to assist you in designing an attractive, low-upkeep garden that can withstand high temperatures literally.
Meet Our Expert
-
Nahal Sohbati
, ladscape designer and co-owner of California-based landscape design firm Topophyl -
Kevin Lenhart
, the design director at Yardzen -
Jessica Zander
, gardening coach and advisor, and the creator of You Can Do It Gardening
Related:
42 Water-Wise Plants That Enhance Your Home’s Exterior Appearance
What Constitutes a Drought-Tolerant Garden?
The idea behind a drought-resistant garden extends well past simply picking plants that require slightly less moisture compared to typical varieties. It represents an entire philosophy. According to Nahal Sohbati, co-founder of California-based firm Topophyl along with Eric Arneson, “A truly drought-resilient garden integrates local seasonal rain patterns and natural water flow within the area to maintain optimal plant health using fewer resources.” This approach isn’t only applicable in places like Mediterranean climates, dry deserts, and semiarid environments where rainfall is sparse; it can also prove advantageous in locations prone to periodic droughts or erratic access to water supplies.
When talking about planting, there’s a difference between drought-tolerant and drought-resistant varieties,” explains Kevin Lenhart, the design director at Yardzen. “Drought-tolerant plants can withstand stretches without water—they might not flourish, but they will make it through. In contrast, drought-resistant species are naturally adapted to prosper in dry or low-moisture areas with little extra watering. These plants typically possess features such as extensive root networks, thickened or reduced foliage, or mechanisms for storing moisture to better handle parched conditions.
How to Create a Water-Wise Landscape
Prep Your Soil
Similar to any kind of garden, a flourishing ecosystem begins with an appropriate base. Prior to going to the nursery to pick out your flora, invest time and effort into
prepping your soil
For ideal circumstances, “The suitable environment for a drought-resistant garden varies based on your location; however, maintaining fertile soil with water retention capabilities is crucial,” explains Jessica Zander from You Can Do It Gardening. “Incorporating compost along with other organic substances is the best method to achieve this, and applying mulch aids in retaining moisture, suppressing weed growth, and moderating soil temperature.”
Sohbati asserts that “mulch is essential for managing moisture.” It minimizes evaporation, curbs weed growth which otherwise consumes valuable water and nutrients, and enhances general soil condition. As organic mulches like bark, wood chips, or leaves decompose over time, they nourish the soil while safeguarding plant roots and fostering an optimal development area.
Select Regional Plants
If you aren’t yet aware of which USDA hardiness zone encompasses your garden, this is the moment to discover it. This detail becomes essential when seeking out water-efficient flora capable of flourishing in your locale. As noted by Zander, “When choosing drought-tolerant plants for your landscape, look into varieties that excel within your specific climatic conditions.” You can ascertain these through either your designated USDA hardiness zone or your corresponding ecoregion—a classification based not only on temperature but also encompassing regions with similar climates, geological features, and soil types. Opting for indigenous plant species provides them a competitive edge compared to those originating elsewhere or internationally.
Related:
9 Indigenous Flora to Include in Your Garden
Be Mindful of Topography
It turns out that choosing a drought-tolerant garden isn’t solely about picking the right spot or growth zone; the overall terrain of your property matters too. As Sohbati points out, “Instead of altering your garden to fit plants that have trouble thriving under current conditions, opt for species naturally adapted to those settings.” According to her advice, lower sections accumulate extra water through rain or sprinklers, which makes these spots ideal for flora needing additional hydration. On the flip side, robustly drought-resilient varieties intolerant to excess dampness ought to go atop steeper inclines or elevated earthen formations, places with less drainage overflow and where standing water is scarce.
Group Likeminded Plants Together
Even plants need a friendly support system every once in a while. To guarantee success in your drought-resistant garden, be mindful about teaming together varietals that have similar needs and growing conditions. “Grouping plants with similar water needs helps make irrigation more efficient and prevents over- or under-watering,” says Sohbati. “This approach, called hydrozoning, ensures drought-tolerant plants don’t receive excess moisture while allowing slightly more water-dependent plants to get what they need.”
Time Your Watering Right
Certainly, your garden might prioritize water conservation, but you
will
It’s still necessary to occasionally give your plants a light watering from time to time—accurately timing your showers is key for success. As Lenhart advises, “Make sure to water your garden either very early in the morning or later in the evening to minimize evaporative losses.” He also recommends thoroughly soaking the soil less often instead of giving small amounts regularly, which promotes deeper rooting. For those aiming to completely eliminate their reliance on tap water, Zander proposes setting up a rain barrel and depending on natural rainfall as much as possible for supplying water needs.
Distance Plants From Hardscaping
An idyllic scenery doesn’t solely consist of vegetation; it includes various other visually appealing features such as stone walls, water fountains, and pathways—often termed hardscaping. Although these components add aesthetic value, experts advise giving them considerable consideration during your landscaping design process. They emphasize that positioning flora close to
hardscape features
“As Lenhart points out, elements like pavements or walls can substantially boost the heat load on a plant. If your plant isn’t tolerant of high temperatures, it’s best to keep it away from structures that soak up and then release heat,” he advises.
Top Choices for a Water-Wise Garden
Our experts below offer their preferred types of plants for a resilient garden that also looks stunning.
-
Desert Willow: “
I adore this plant not just because of its resilience during dry spells, but also due to how well it serves as a design feature,” explains Lenhart. “The Desert Willow functions exceptionally as a petite tree that you can utilize as a central focus in tight areas. The flowers are striking, and both the leaves and branch architecture are appealing. Additionally, it requires minimal maintenance, is readily available, and is indigenous with quite an extensive distribution along the southwestern frontier. -
Deer Grass
“Deer Grass (Muhlenbergia rigens) is truly remarkable,” states Sohbati. “This species is simple to cultivate, needs very little watering, and can adapt well to different environments. Thanks to its extensive root network, it effectively prevents soil erosion too. The grass demands minimal upkeep—just one trim per year will suffice. Its elegant appearance brings dynamic motion to gardenscapes, which makes it a distinctive element within any xeric garden design.” -
Yarrow:
Yarrow, which naturally thrives across much of the United States, serves as an excellent addition to various types of landscapes due to its attractive appearance,” says Lenhart. “I frequently opt for this plant over exotic varieties whenever I require delicate flowers and fine-textured leaves. Given ideal conditions, it tends to propagate readily; thus, it can be effectively used as a low-maintenance groundcover where foot traffic isn’t expected. -
California Buckwheat: “
Another outstanding native plant we have here is California buckwheat,” explains Sohbati, “which can be found in different varieties ranging from low-growing ground covers to full-fledged bushes.” This species stands out due to its remarkable resilience during extended periods of little rainfall; once established, it needs very little watering. It acts as a cornerstone for our ecosystem because many animals rely on it for food and shelter. One thing I particularly admire about this plant is how it enhances the visual appeal of gardens all through the seasons with its delicate blossoms that shift color—from soft pinks and yellows to rich rust tones—as they mature, thus providing ever-changing hues against your landscape backdrop. -
Salvia:
“There are loads of Salvia species that perform very well through drought conditions,” says Lenhart. “I tend to seek out the regional native, but have a soft spot for Autumn Sage (
Salvia greggii
) due to its compact size, making it highly practical for petite gardens, or even in pots.”
Related:
8 Vegetables That Thrive With Minimal Water
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