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Drought-tolerant plants

Low- and very-low-water plants for dry gardens, Mediterranean climates, and water-wise design.

2,235 plants

Drought-tolerant plants in the database

Balloon Milkweed (Gomphocarpus Physocarpus) — Balloon Milkweed (Gomphocarpus physocarpus) is a striking perennial, reaching up to 6 ft tall, image 82

Shrub

Balloon Milkweed

Gomphocarpus Physocarpus

FullUSDA 8–10
Banksia (Banksia Cvs.) — shrub for full; paired with a need for only occasional pruning to remove spent flower spikes and old growth

Shrub

Banksia

Banksia Cvs.

FullUSDA 9–11
Barbara Karst Red Bougainvillea (Bougainvillea 'Barbara Karst') — A fast-growing vine, it can extend up to 20 feet, needing support structures

Shrub

Barbara Karst Red Bougainvillea

Bougainvillea 'Barbara Karst'

FullUSDA 9–10
Bar Harbor Juniper (Juniperus Horizontalis 'Bar Harbor') — flourishing in a variety of conditions

Conifer

Bar Harbor Juniper

Juniperus Horizontalis 'Bar Harbor'

FullUSDA 3–10
Barrenwort (Epimedium Alpinum) — <br><br>The flowers of Barrenwort appear from mid to late spring; it typically reaches a height of 12 to 15 inches with a

Ground cover

Barrenwort

Epimedium Alpinum

HalfUSDA 4–7
Basket Of Gold (Aurinia Saxatilis) — although the most prolific flowering is achieved under full sun exposure; compact form but encourages a denser, image 78

Perennial

Basket Of Gold

Aurinia Saxatilis

FullUSDA 4–7
Bauer's Dracaena (Cordyline Baueri) — Drought-resistant once established, it requires well-drained soil

Shrub

Bauer's Dracaena

Cordyline Baueri

FullUSDA 8–11
Bayberry (Myrica Pensylvanica) — plant Myrica pensylvanica in full sun to partial shade; in late spring to early summer, image 112

Shrub

Bayberry

Myrica Pensylvanica

FullUSDA 7–10
Bay Cedar (Suriana Maritima) — rendering a fine-textured appearance

Bay Cedar

Suriana Maritima

FullUSDA 9–10
Beach Evening Primrose (Camissonia Cheiranthifolia) — showcases vibrant yellow flowers atop green; which mirrors its natural coastal habitat

Ground cover

Beach Evening Primrose

Camissonia Cheiranthifolia

FullUSDA 9–10
Beach Sage (Salvia Africana-Lutea) — Its foliage is striking, with aromatic grey-green leaves that are a delight to the senses; as well as stimulate additional

Shrub

Beach Sage

Salvia Africana-Lutea

FullUSDA 8–10
Beale's Barberry (Mahonia Japonica 'Bealei') — Its resilience to pests and diseases; its intricate compound leaves

Broadleaf Evergreen

Beale's Barberry

Mahonia Japonica 'Bealei'

HalfUSDA 7–9
Bearberry (Arctostaphylos Uva-Ursi) — Bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi), an evergreen groundcover, thrives in USDA zones 2-6

Ground cover

Bearberry

Arctostaphylos Uva-Ursi

FullUSDA 3–10
Bearberry Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster Dammeri) — it is fairly drought resistant

Ground cover

Bearberry Cotoneaster

Cotoneaster Dammeri

FullUSDA 7–11
Bear Brush (Garrya Fremontii) — Optimal in partial shade to full sun, it is drought-tolerant once established

Shrub

Bear Brush

Garrya Fremontii

FullUSDA 9–10
Beard Tongue (Penstemon Species) — commonly known as Beard Tongue

Perennial

Beard Tongue

Penstemon Species

FullUSDA 3–10
Bear Grass (Xerophyllum Tenax) — showcasing its unique botanical lineage.<br><br>Characteristically; bear Grass thrives in full sun to partial, image 64

Grass

Bear Grass

Xerophyllum Tenax

FullUSDA 5–9
Bear Oak (Quercus Ilicifolia) — typically a rich assortment of reds; commonly known as Bear Oak

Shrub

Bear Oak

Quercus Ilicifolia

FullUSDA 8–9
Beavertail Prickly Pear Cactus (Opuntia Basilaris) — and its carefree maintenance requirements will assure them of its suitability for their garden

Cactus

Beavertail Prickly Pear Cactus

Opuntia Basilaris

FullUSDA 7–11
Bell Flower Hesperaloe (Hesperaloe Campanulata) — making a graceful addition to xeriscape gardens

Grass

Bell Flower Hesperaloe

Hesperaloe Campanulata

FullUSDA 8–11
Ben Nevis Sunrose (Helianthemum Num. 'Ben Nevis') — peaking in late spring to early summer

Ground cover

Ben Nevis Sunrose

Helianthemum Num. 'Ben Nevis'

FullUSDA 4–9
Berlandier's Sundrops (Calylophus Berlandieri) — forming a mound of narrow leaves

Ground cover

Berlandier's Sundrops

Calylophus Berlandieri

FullUSDA 9–10
Bert Johnson Manzanita (Arctostaphylos Edm. 'Bert Johnson') — Reaching 5-6 feet tall and wide

Shrub

Bert Johnson Manzanita

Arctostaphylos Edm. 'Bert Johnson'

FullUSDA 9–10
Betram Anderson Dwarf Stonecrop (Sedum 'Bertram Anderson') — Sedum 'Bertram Anderson,' a vibrant Dwarf Stonecrop

Ground cover

Betram Anderson Dwarf Stonecrop

Sedum 'Bertram Anderson'

FullUSDA 5–9

Photographs are credited on each plant’s page.