The simplest way to save money, water and time in the garde is to grow drought-tolerant plants. There are many plants that, once they're established, don't require lots of water. The two plants I'll be talking about can stand up to hot, dry weather without breaking a sweat. These plants have colorful flowers and features that allow them to survive, and even thrive in drought. They have very deep roots to reach moisture.

 

Even the most drought-tolerant plants will need water while it's young. A moisture-conserving layver of organic mulch is also a good idea for all of these plants. Once established, they're easy to grow and enjoy, even when rain is hard to come by.

 

These leaf traits help the plant retain as much water as possible in drought, so if you see them it usually means a plant is drought tolerant.

Of the 20 or so species of Rock Rose, most come from the rocky soils of the Meditteranean, so you'd expect them to like dry conditions. But with this plant groing in the gravelly soil and full sun that it prefers, you might be surprised to see the loads of crepe-paper like blooms it produces. Each flower lasts just one day, but so many buds cover the plant that it can be in bloom for three weeks in summer. Flowers of different Rock Roses range from 2 to 4 inches across; many have a small dark blotch on each petal. Plant Rock Roses in late spring to summer, instead of in fall.

 

We're lucky to garden in a warmer zone because that's where Autumn Sage (right) thrives. Tubular flowers, in a myriad of colors, cover this shrubby perennial most of the season, even in the most excruciating heat. And that is not enough, hummingbirds love the flowers. A mature plant gets leggy in part shade. Don't be afraid to cut it back severely after flowering is finished to encourage lush, compact new growth.

 

Additional plants that fit in this drought-tolerant category:

From "Drought-Tolerant Perennials" by Deborah Gruco, Garden Gate Magazine, July/Aug 2008