A Perennial plant is a plant that will live for more than two years, compared to a more short-lived annual plant. When you walk through your local Nursery or hardware store you will see rows and rows of these plant variations. Even if you have a perennial that should have a longer life, you will still need to ensure you are maintaining it correctly. If you live in a warmer climate, or where the climate remains warm for an extended part of the year, you may want a plant that is more droughts tolerant – especially if you live in an area that is prone to droughts like areas of California. Or maybe you just want plants that are low maintenance. Instead of denying greenery or colorful florals around your landscape, invest of some drought tolerant perennials to enhance your space. Some examples of drought-friendly perennials are below.
- Agapanthus or the African Lily is a tough flower that will not stress during a period of drought. These are beautiful blooms that have colors of white, purple or blue.
- Blanket flower or Gaillardia is a bright daisy that like full sun and the colors will be rust with a yellow rim.
- Dead Nettle (Lamium) – This plant likes dry shade, so a good place for this may be under a tree and produces small flowers.
- False Sunflowers or Heliopsis helianthoides – is a golden flower that is similar to a sunflower and can grow in height of 3 to 6 feet.
- Globe Thistle – is an easy flower to grow and produces around blue flower.
- Jerusalem sage – this plant likes to spread and will produce little flowers on top of pairs of leaves. The colors are can be yellow, pink or lavender
- Lavender – this plant not only looks beautiful, it smells great. It can produce colors of blue, lavender, purple or white.
- Pinks (Dianthus spp.) – This flower can be multiple colors, it is usually pink, but the name Pinks refers to the pink fringe found on the end of the flowers.
- Platycodon grandifloras or Balloon Flower –this is a very low maintenance plant. These will puff up and billow like a balloon.
- Speedwell or Veronica – is a problem free bloom that grows long and spiky. These may look great a border as they can grow up to 3 feet tall.
- Thyme – this is fast growing and will thrive in dry heat. Thyme even flowers and can produce a variety of colors.
- Wand Flower (Gaura) – this perennial will produce flowers atop the foliage in colors of pinks and whites.
There are many types of perennial plants that will do well in a dry area or a period of drought. These are just some examples. Though many of these do need time to set down roots once planted and have water, in the beginning, to do so. You will want to also think about how you group plants in different areas within your garden or area. You will want to do groups based on the plants watering needs so you don’t overwater or underwater other plants.