Skip to content
Log inStart trial

The database

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

Wintergreen Barberry (Berberis Julianae) — serve as a food source for birds

Shrub

Wintergreen Barberry

Berberis Julianae

HalfUSDA 5–10
Winter King Green Hawthorn (Crataegus Viridis 'Winter King') — is a majestic deciduous tree that brings year-round interest to any landscape design

Tree

Winter King Green Hawthorn

Crataegus Viridis 'Winter King'

FullUSDA 4–7
Winter Sun Mahonia (Mahonia 'Winter Sun') — holly-like foliage and bright yellow

Shrub

Winter Sun Mahonia

Mahonia 'Winter Sun'

FullUSDA 7–9
Winterthur Viburnum (Viburnum Nudum 'Winterthur') — it's ideal for mixed borders and naturalized areas

Shrub

Winterthur Viburnum

Viburnum Nudum 'Winterthur'

FullUSDA 2–8
Woadwaxen (Genista Lydia) — though well-drained soil is preferable

Ground cover

Woadwaxen

Genista Lydia

FullUSDA 7–9
Wood Spurge (Euphorbia Robbiae) — plants should be situated approximately 1 foot apart to allow for their spreading habit; green landscape even in shaded areas

Shrub

Wood Spurge

Euphorbia Robbiae

FullUSDA 6–10
Woods Rose (Rosa Woodsii) — which typically feature 5 to 9 leaflets with serrated margins; roughly 0.25 to 0.5 inches in diameter, image 67

Shrub

Woods Rose

Rosa Woodsii

FullUSDA 3–11
Woolly Blue Curls (Trichostema Lanatum) — or combine with other California natives for a cohesively resilient and beautiful garden aesthetic

Shrub

Woolly Blue Curls

Trichostema Lanatum

FullUSDA 8–8
Woolly Butterfly Bush (Buddleia Marrubiifolia) — is a resilient shrub reaching up to 5 feet with a spread of 6 feet

Shrub

Woolly Butterfly Bush

Buddleia Marrubiifolia

FullUSDA 11–11
Woolly Grevillea (Grevillea Lanigera 'Mt Tamboritha') — adding to the ecological value of the garden.<br><br>Preferring full sun to partial shade

Shrub

Woolly Grevillea

Grevillea Lanigera 'Mt Tamboritha'

FullUSDA 10–11
Woollyleaf Manzanita (Arctostaphylos Tomentosa) — Suited for USDA zones 8-10

Shrub

Woollyleaf Manzanita

Arctostaphylos Tomentosa

FullUSDA 7–11
Woolly Thyme (Thymus Pseudolanuginosus) — wool-like hairs that cover its leaves.<br><br>Growing to a mere height of around 1-3 inches

Ground cover

Woolly Thyme

Thymus Pseudolanuginosus

FullUSDA 3–9
Woolly Yarrow (Achillea Tomentosa) — Hardy in USDA zones 3 through 8; this plant can withstand a variety of conditions

Ground cover

Woolly Yarrow

Achillea Tomentosa

FullUSDA 2–10
Worcester Gold Blue Mist (Caryopteris 'Worcester Gold') — also known as the Worcester Gold Blue Mist

Perennial

Worcester Gold Blue Mist

Caryopteris 'Worcester Gold'

FullUSDA 5–9
Wright Buckwheat (Eriogonum Wrightii) — is a versatile and striking native perennial that offers an alluring presence in any landscape design; in the summer

Ground cover

Wright Buckwheat

Eriogonum Wrightii

FullUSDA 6–10
Wright's Cudweed (Pseudognaphalium Microcephalum) — making it an excellent choice for ground cover or for mass planting in rock gardens

Perennial

Wright's Cudweed

Pseudognaphalium Microcephalum

FullUSDA 8–10
Wright's Paurotis Palm (Acoelorrhaphe wrightii) — The Paurotis Palm (Acoelorrhaphe wrightii)

Palm

Wright's Paurotis Palm

Acoelorrhaphe wrightii

HalfUSDA 9–11
Wright's Penstemon (Penstemon Wrightii) — Standing 1-3ft tall with a spread of 1-2ft, it's ideal for adding vertical interest and attracting pollinators

Perennial

Wright's Penstemon

Penstemon Wrightii

FullUSDA 8–11
Wyn's Wonder Australian Fuchsia (Correa 'Wyn's Wonder') — The Correa 'Wyn's Wonder', or Wyn' Wonder Australian Fuchsia, is a striking evergreen shrub

Ground cover

Wyn's Wonder Australian Fuchsia

Correa 'Wyn's Wonder'

FullUSDA 9–10
Yarrow (Achillea X Taygetea) — scientifically known as Achillea x taygetea; which heightens the ecological value of a garden, image 63

Perennial

Yarrow

Achillea X Taygetea

FullUSDA 3–11
Yarrow Hybrids (Achillea Hybrids) — are popular perennials offering an array of colors from white to pink

Ground cover

Yarrow Hybrids

Achillea Hybrids

FullUSDA 3–10
Yaupon (Ilex Vomitoria) — Ilex vomitoria is particularly well-suited for coastal landscapes; glossy leaves and red berries on female plants

Shrub

Yaupon

Ilex Vomitoria

FullUSDA 7–9
Yeddo Hawthorn (Rhaphiolepis Umbellata) — enhancing the ecological value of the landscape.<br><br>As the season progresses

Shrub

Yeddo Hawthorn

Rhaphiolepis Umbellata

FullUSDA 9–11
Yellow African Daisy (Arctotis Acaulis) — The Yellow African Daisy (Arctotis acaulis)

Ground cover

Yellow African Daisy

Arctotis Acaulis

FullUSDA 9–10

Photographs are credited on each plant’s page.