Drought is not always a bad thing, especially when it comes to gardening.
It’s not uncommon for gardeners to experience challenges with growing a lush, healthy garden in conditions that are less than ideal.
That’s why selecting drought-tolerant perennials for borders in areas with low rainfall or where water is scarce can be a game-changer.
In this post, I will share with you my top picks of drought-tolerant perennials that you can incorporate in your garden to create a stunning and low-maintenance border.
So, if you want to save water and reduce your work in the garden while maintaining a beautiful look, let’s dive right in!
Coreopsis is an easy-to-grow plant that can add brilliant pops of color to any border. Its bright yellow flowers are its most outstanding feature. This perennial plant grows best in full sun and well-drained soil. It can reach heights of up to two feet, and its flowers bloom from midsummer until the first frost.
If you want to plant coreopsis, you should choose a location with lots of sunlight. The plant can thrive in soil that is moderately fertile, but it can also withstand poor soil conditions. Coreopsis is a low-maintenance plant that does not require much watering, making it ideal for drought-prone areas.
Coreopsis requires routine care, such as regular pruning to encourage new growth and flowering. Deadheading the spent flowers can also help them maintain their shape and prevent the plant from looking leggy. Because coreopsis grows so quickly, it is important to keep the plant pruned back so that it does not become too large and take over other plants in your border.
One way to use coreopsis in your border is to plant it in a group that features other plant species with similar heights and growth patterns. This is a great way to showcase the yellow color of the flower but also to create a more diverse and interesting planting. Alternatively, you can plant the coreopsis in a single species border, where it is the sole point of interest.
Overall, coreopsis is an excellent plant for gardeners looking to add a splash of sunny yellow color to their borders. Its drought-resistant capabilities, low maintenance requirements, and showy flowers make it a must-have for anyone looking to create a stunning and resilient border.
Agastache, also known as hyssop, is a perennial herb that produces highly fragrant flowers in a range of pink, purple, and orange hues. These vibrant flowers bloom all summer long, making Agastache a must-have for any border looking to add a pop of color.
Growing and maintaining Agastache is relatively easy. They prefer full sun and well-drained soil, making them a suitable option for rock gardens or dry borders. Once established, Agastache is drought-resistant and doesn’t require much watering.
To get the best out of your Agastache, it’s important to prune regularly to promote optimal growth and prevent the plant from becoming too leggy. Deadheading, or removing spent flowers, encourages more blooms to grow, ensuring a longer-lasting display.
As far as pests and diseases go, Agastache is relatively resilient. While certain fungal diseases such as powdery mildew may appear on the foliage, they are not usually harmful and can be treated with fungicides.
Overall, Agastache is a fantastic choice for anyone looking for a low-maintenance perennial with a long blooming season and lovely fragrance. By planting Agastache in your borders, you can enjoy a striking display of color while reducing the amount of water needed in your garden.
Daylilies are a popular choice for many gardeners due to their stunning colors and their hardy nature. They come in a wide range of colors, including yellow, orange, pink, red, and purple. There are also different bloom shapes to choose from, including trumpet-shaped, circular, and star-shaped.
To grow and maintain your daylilies, plant them in full sun to partial shade and in soil that is well-draining. They prefer slightly acidic soil that has a pH level between 6.0 to 6.5. Water them well when you first plant them, and then once or twice a week after that. Avoid over-watering as this can lead to root rot.
Daylilies are drought-resistant, making them a great option for borders that receive plenty of sunlight. They can handle both drought and high heat, which means that they require minimal maintenance once they are established in your garden.
To use daylilies in borders, plant them in groups of three or more to create a dramatic effect. Mix and match different colors and bloom shapes to add texture and interest to your borders. You can also pair them with other drought-tolerant perennials like lavender and agastache for a beautiful and low-maintenance garden border.
Penstemon, also known as beardtongue, is a beautiful and drought-tolerant perennial that comes in a wide variety of colors and types. With its tall stems and tube-shaped flowers, it adds height and depth to any border.
If you want to grow penstemon, make sure to plant it in a sunny and well-drained location. These plants do not tolerate soggy soil, so be sure to amend the soil with gravel or sand to improve drainage.
To maintain penstemon, deadhead the flowers regularly to prevent them from going to seed. You can also divide the plant every three years to encourage healthy growth.
Penstemon is an excellent choice for borders because of its drought resistance capabilities. It can tolerate dry soil conditions, making it an ideal plant for water-conscious gardeners.
Some popular varieties of penstemon include Husker Red with its dark foliage and light pink flowers, and Sour Grapes with its purple blooms and green foliage.
Overall, if you want a beautiful and resilient plant for your border that requires little maintenance, penstemon is definitely worth considering.
Coneflowers are an excellent option for adding vibrant color to any border while requiring very little maintenance. They are available in a range of colors, including pink, purple, yellow, and white, and bloom from mid-summer through fall.
To grow and maintain coneflowers, plant them in well-drained soil and full sun. They can tolerate some shade, but they thrive in full sun. Once established, they are tolerant of drought conditions and only need occasional watering during extended hot or dry periods.
To promote more blooms, deadhead the spent flowers regularly throughout the growing season. You can also cut back the plants by half in late spring to encourage bushier growth and more flowers.
Coneflowers are versatile and can be used in a variety of ways in your garden. They make great borders, can be planted in groups for a stunning mass display, and can even be grown in containers. They are also great for attracting bees and butterflies to your garden.
Overall, if you are looking for a low-maintenance, drought-tolerant perennial that provides long-lasting blooms, coneflowers are an excellent option to consider.
Are you looking for a plant that can thrive in hot and dry conditions while providing colorful blooms all summer long? If so, gaillardia is a great choice for your border. Also known as blanket flower, gaillardia is a native plant to North and South America that can stand up to heat and drought.
Gaillardia has a daisy-like look with a deep red center surrounded by petals in warm hues such as yellow, gold, and orange. The flowers stand out and draw attention from both people and pollinators, making them a great addition to any garden.
Growing and maintaining gaillardia is relatively easy. It prefers well-drained soil and plenty of sun, although it can grow reasonably well in partial shade. Gaillardia is also an excellent candidate for container gardening since it has a shallow root system.
To ensure blooming all summer long, deadhead the spent blooms regularly. During the growing season, feed the plants with a balanced fertilizer every four weeks or use compost.
Gaillardia is drought-tolerant and requires minimal watering. In fact, it doesn’t do well in wet conditions, making it perfect for creating a low-maintenance border that still looks stunning.
Gaillardia is a versatile plant that can be used in countless ways in garden design, such as a mass planting or as a striking accent next to other types of plants.
Overall, it’s hard to beat gaillardia’s reliable performance in sunny, dry spots in a garden. The bright, cheerful blooms will light up any garden while adding interest and dimension to your border.
Lavender is one of the most beloved plants for borders. The plant has grayish-green foliage and produces flowers ranging from light purple to deep violet. Additionally, lavender gives off a sweet smell that many people find soothing. There are various varieties of lavender to consider, with hardiness zones spanning from 5 to 9.
If you’re planting lavender in your border, make sure it gets plenty of sun exposure. This plant can grow up to 24 inches tall and a few feet wide, so give it enough space to spread out. When it comes to soil, lavender prefers well-drained soil with a pH level between 6.7 to 7.3. You can plant lavender in raised beds or containers if your soil doesn’t meet the plant’s specific needs.
To maintain lavender, it’s best to prune the plant in the late winter or early spring. During this time, you can remove dead foliage and old gray stems to encourage new growth. Once it blooms, deadhead the flowers regularly to encourage continuous blooming throughout the season. Do not allow the plant to get too wet as it can impact its growth.
Lavender’s drought resistance capabilities make it a popular choice for borders. Once established, the plant doesn’t require constant watering. You can plant lavender as an accent or use it as an edging plant, which will give your border a cohesive and polished appearance.
In conclusion, lavender is an excellent choice for those looking to add color and scent to their borders. To get the most out of this plant, make sure it gets plenty of sun, well-drained soil, and periodic pruning. When planted correctly, lavender can add a pop of color and fragrance to your border for years to come.
In conclusion, choosing drought-tolerant perennials for your borders is a smart and low-maintenance way to ensure your garden looks beautiful year-round.
The perennials I shared in this blog post are just a few of the options available to you, but they are some of my favorites as they offer versatility, dried flowers, and lovely scent to any garden.
Remember, drought-tolerant plants need special care just like all other plants.
Be sure to water them regularly until they establish themselves, and they will reward you with their beauty for years to come.
Which of the top drought-tolerant perennials shared in this post are you going to add to your garden first?
I’d love to hear from you, so please do send me a message and let me know.
If you found the information in this blog post helpful, please share it on social media with your friends and family who might also benefit from it.
Thank you for reading!
Author: Scott Sanders
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