Plants for Arid & Dry Landscaping

Annuals

• Annuals are usually an easy way to change up the appearance of your outdoor space and add seasonal appeal. Colorado State University Extension suggests using annuals such as the “Senorita Rosalita” spider flower (Cleome hassleriana), which is hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 9 through 10 and grown as an annual elsewhere. It tolerates heat and dry conditions and blooms with pinkish lavender clusters of flowers from spring until the first frost. The plants typically grow 2 to 4 feet tall. Another option is the “Autumn Colors” Gloriosa daisy (Rudbeckia hirta "Autumn Colors”), which is a short-lived perennial that is hardy in USDA zones 5 through 9 but often grown as an annual. The flowers are bicolor, blooming in shades of yellow, orange and bronze-red from midsummer through midfall.

Perennials

• Gardeners can use perennials such as Penstemon parryi (Penstemon parryi) to add vertical interest as well as bright color to the garden. It is hardy in USDA zones 8 through 10 and is well suited to xeric plant beds. This penstemon variety has an upright growth habit, blooming with rosy pink funnel-shaped flowers on stalks that grow up to 3 feet tall. Another option is the sun-loving, drought-tolerant butterfly bush (Buddleja davidii), hardy in USDA zones 5 through 10. It blooms with showy spikes of flowers in colors such as white, dark purple, pink, red and lavender-blue, depending on the variety. Butterfly bushes can be invasive in some areas.

Shrubs

• Some drought-tolerant shrubs include the Wayfaring tree viburnum (Viburnum lantana "Mohican"), hardy in USDA zones 4 through 8. It does well in dry soil and needs minimal maintenance. Showy white flowers bloom in May, giving way to orange-red berries. Desert olive shrubs (Forestiera neomexicana) are multi-branches shrubs that thrive in hot, dry conditions. This drought-tolerant, deciduous shrub is hardy in USDA zones 6 through 10, and it grows 6 to 8 feet tall.

Trees

• Adding trees to the garden gives you the advantage of creating some shady areas. There are a variety of drought-tolerant options, including hackberry trees (Celtis occidentalis), which are hardy in USDA zones 3 through 9. These vase-shaped, deciduous trees grow as up to 45 to 80 feet tall, with a spread of 40 to 50 feet. They are highly tolerant of drought and adapt to growing in partial shade to full sun. Amur maple trees (Acer tataricum subsp. ginnala) are smaller trees, growing 15 to 20 feet tall. They are drought-tolerant and provide spectacular fall color when they are grown in full sun. They are hardy in USDA zones 2 through 8 and bloom with showy, fragrant yellow-white flowers in April and May.