Drought-Tolerant Perennial Plants for Your Poolside Paradise, Part 1

One of many ways to conserve water in and around your home is to carefully select the plants you use in landscaping. By planting drought-tolerant perennial plants, you’ll not only make sure your landscaping still looks great should a drought come your way, but you’ll eliminate the need for frequent watering, thereby conserving the precious resource that water truly is. What’s more, you’ll have a yard filled with color and life, without having to spend a lot of time and effort watering it! This win-win for pool owners like you is bound to enhance the time you spend in your own backyard paradise.

Click on the U.S. zone map for an interactive map

Drought-Resistant Perennials Under 12 Inches Tall

Like most drought-resistant plants, these shorter ones require full sun and well-drained soil to thrive; after all, most plants that thrive without much moisture can easily drown in too much. The first species we’ll consider is the shortest: cheery yellow Sundrops only grow to be about 6 inches tall. This vigorous plant grows well in U.S. zones 5-8 but can be aggressive in rich soil, taking over space reserved for other plants.

Drought-Resistant Perennials Under 2 Feet Tall

The second drought-resistant perennial on our list, the Pine-Leaf Penstemon will grow to be about 18 inches tall. Embracing some characteristics of evergreens, this Penstemon blooms during the summer with bright red flowers frequently visited by hummingbirds and butterflies. Easy to grow in U.S. zones 4-10, the added wildlife these plants bring to your yard will be well worth your (minimal) effort.

Like Pine-Leaf Penstemon, Sedum grows to be about 18 inches tall. Thriving in U.S. zones 3-9, Sedum comes in many drought-resistant varieties. One of the most popular species of Sedum is known as “Frosty Morn,” with its variegated leaves and pink flowers that bloom in fall.

Yet another perennial that grows to about 18 inches, Lamb’s Ears are known for their soft, silver-toned leaves. While this plant is certainly easy to grow, it can also spread more aggressively than you might prefer, especially in rich soil in U.S. zones 4-8.

Producing clusters of sky-blue blooms in late spring and showcasing impressive gold foliage in fall, Amsonia grows well in U.S. zones 3-9 and can grow to be about 2 feet tall.

Drought-Resistant Perennials Between 2 and 3 Feet Tall

A little taller than our previous collection, these plants are equally drought-resistant ones that require less maintenance than many of their peers. As perennials, they grow back year after year; and as drought-resistant species, you don’t have to worry about watering them often, if at all.

Only growing to about 28 inches tall, Meadow Sage is also called Salvia “May Night.” Producing violet-blue flowers during both summer and fall, this is another plant favored by butterflies and hummingbirds. Growing well in U.S. zones 5-9, Meadow Sage also looks great clipped and put into a vase, enhancing your indoor space as well!

Continue reading with Part 2.

Lyon Financial

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