It is not uncommon in this region that there is at least a portion of the area that is experiencing drought conditions. What may start out as a cool rainy spring quicky changes to hot and dry conditions with little to no relief in sight. Watering becomes a daunting task. Planting perennials and shrubs that can withstand the drier conditions may be the best option for some gardeners.
While it may seem as though planting the plants and letting them survive on their own is all that needs to be done, there is more to planting for dry conditions than just the plant alone. The most important condition to be met is proper soil. Soil conditions should be well-drained soil allowing any heavy moisture to drain rather than plants sitting in water. Heavy clay soil will hold too much water causing the plant to stay too wet, increasing the risk of root rot and other diseases. Amend soils with sand to create a better draining soil if heavy soil is present.
If you are not familiar to planting plants, planting drought tolerant plants is the same as planting any other perennial and shrub. After planting, watering thoroughly so the entire root profile has water is important throughout the establishment phase. All drought tolerant plants need to become established with regular watering (watering deeply after the first 2 inches of soil has dried until the plant is established) before allowing them to endure dry conditions. Failing to establish the plant causes roots not to develop and grow far beyond the plant which reduces the amount of moisture the roots can uptake from a distance from the plant.
Finally, after considering the soil and preparing to plant, selecting the right plants occurs. Perennials we like to plant for drought conditions include Yarrow, Sedum, Russian sage, Echinacea and Heliopsis. Choices for shrubs with drought tolerance are Potentilla, Sumac, Juniper, Ninebark and Viburnum. These lists of plants are not a complete list of possibilities but give you a starting point to consider. Notice the height of each plant as well as other attributes which may be a deciding facto of which plants you want planted in your landscape.
Whether you don’t want to water during dry conditions or just can’t get to it, planting the correct plants to withstand drought conditions, as well as giving those plants the correct soil and initial watering will allow them to grow and thrive for years to come.
