Drought-Tolerant Perennial Flowers

Yarrow Fireland

• Most forms of yarrow (Achillea) do well on dry sites and withstand droughts, with the fireland hybrid being no different. Growing to 3 feet tall, this yarrow cultivar blooms for a long time, from June into September, notes the Missouri Botanical Garden. Fireland's flowers start out a dark hue of red, but before they wilt, change to a golden shade. Fireland works well in cottage gardens, perennial borders and in wildflower gardens. Humidity often causes the stems to droop somewhat. Fireland grows from USDA zones 3 through 8.

False Indigo

• False indigo (Baptisia bracteata) grows in poor quality soil and resists the effects of drought -- a trait most indigo species display. False indigo, native to the eastern part of North America, grows to 30 inches high. Among the features that make it a worthwhile addition to naturalized areas and perennial borders are the drooping groups of white flowers that emerge in May and June. False indigo is easy to grow; when planted in partly shady areas, you may have to provide some support as it reaches toward the sun.

Coneflower Little Annie

• Little Annie is the smallest hybrid of coneflower (Echinacea), growing to between 6 and 10 inches tall. Drought tolerant and able to take hold where hot weather prevails, Little Annie is an option for planting in rock gardens and along foundations. Due to its small size, it makes sense to plant Little Annie in masses. The flowers bloom from June into August, possessing lavender rays surrounding an orange-colored central disc. Little Annie does well when you remove the wilted flowers, an easy chore that promotes reliable future blooming.

Bishop's Hat

• Place bishop's hat (Epimedium perralderianum) under trees, since this low-growing perennial from North Africa does well in the shade. Its size suits it as a ground cover species, and in warmer climates, it remains evergreen year-round. Bishop's hat only grows to 12 inches tall; keep the individual plants 1 foot apart when using as a ground cover and watch them expand through their underground roots to fill in open spaces. Bishop's hat flowers during April and is an appropriate perennial for USDA zones 5 through 9.