Shrubbery and trees that are drought resistant.

If a drought-tolerant garden makes you think of cacti and rock gardens, then think again – there are many colorful and lush choices that are perfect for a low-maintenance, water-conserving landscape. As parts of the country experience a reduction in rainfall or restrictions on water use, drought-tolerance has become an increasingly desirable characteristic in cultivated plants. Here are a few drought tolerant selections....but there are many more.

Many flowering fruit trees—such as apples, pears, and plums—are drought-tolerant.

Rosy Glow Barberry features brilliant rosy-pink new growth atop the deep purplish-red foliage throughout the season. Small yellow flowers are produced in Spring but are hidden by the foliage so not considered showy. An exceptionally drought and heat tolerant shrub useful as a specimen accent or in small groups or massed in landscape beds, islands and foundation plantings. An easy to grow, low-maintenance plant. Grows in a wide range of soils provided there is very good drainage. This shrub does produce small spines along the branches, but you'll never have to touch it as no pruning is necessary.

Crimson Pygmy Barberry

Emerald Green Arborvitae is a tall, conical-shaped evergreen shrub that features attractive dark green foliage. Growth habit is dense and erect. Grows moderately fast to about 10-15' tall and 3 to 4' wide. Useful in foundation plantings to accentuate a tall entryway or as a corner plant. Useful in landscape beds and islands as an evergreen privacy screen, natural hedge, or wind and noise buffer. Prefers full sun but will tolerate a little shade. Easy to grow in well-drained soils and very low maintenance.

Dwarf Burning Bush features intense, fire-red foliage in Fall. The species grows to 15' tall, however, dwarf burning bush grows 8 to 10' tall and can be easily maintained by pruning at 5 to 6'. The leaves are dark dusty green in Spring and Summer and the habit is upright, bushy and vase-shaped. Useful as a hedge, specimen, accent plant or in small groups or mass plantings in landscape beds and islands. May also be used in foundation plantings as an accent. An easy to grow and low maintenance deciduous shrub that adapts to a wide range of soil types. Will grow in part shade, however displays the best Fall foliage color when grown in full to mostly sun.

Harland Dwarf Boxwood is useful sheared into a dense, formal hedge of 2 to 3' in height and width. Left natural, it will grow 4 to 5' tall with an equal spread. Also useful on either side of an entrance to formalize an entry way. The natural growth habit is dense, compact and rounded. The elongated evergreen leaves are leathery, dark green and lustrous. Easy to grow in most any well-drained soils, planters or containers. 'Harlandi'has better drought and pest tolerance than other boxwoods.

Wintergreen...Korean Boxwood

Forsythia 'Lynwood Gold', also known as 'Yellow Bells', is one of the first flowering shrubs to bloom in spring, when not much else is blooming. The branches become covered in bright yellow, bell-shaped flowers. The willowy green foliage is attractive throughout the season, turning purple in Fall. Give this one plenty of room to grow as it spreads to 10' in width. An easy to grow plant in most any type of well-drained soil and lots of sunshine. Fast growing.

'Limelight' Hydrangea produces large (6 to 12"), conical, unique, bright chartreuse blooms during Summer that hold their color into Fall, when the blooms change color to a rich deep pink. The autumn display of chartreuse and pink blooms on the same plant is breathtaking! Useful in partly shaded to shady areas of the landscape garden, and fresh or dried, in bouquets to make a unique floral design. One of the easiest hydrangeas to grow. Not finicky about soil type provided it is well-drained. A must in every garden.

Little Princess Spirea is a low-growing, mounding form with attractive mint green foliage that contrasts beautifully with the fuzzy, pink, flat-topped flowers produced from late Spring through Summer. If the faded flowers are sheared you can expect a repeat bloom. Flowers are attractive to butteflies. Foliage takes on attractive red hues in Fall. Useful as an accent, in small groups or massed, or as a border in landscape beds, islands and foundation plantings. A low-maintenance plant that will grow in a wide range of well-drained soils. Very drought tolerant once established.

'Nanho Blue' butterfly bush produces an abundance of spike-like blue flowers that are 6-12" in length Summer through Fall. Butterflies and hummingbirds love the flowers! Has an arching, spreading habit which typically grows to around 6-8' tall if not cut back in winter, and 5-6' tall if cut back. Most at home as a backgorund in perennial gardens and the flowering shrub border.

Russian Sage was the 1995 Perennial Plant of the Year. Spikes of intense blue flowers are produced during summer and contrast wonderfully with the silver, deeply cut, aromatic foliage. A true standout in the garden. Grows best in well-drained soil. Cut back to about a foot above the ground in late winter to keep plant full and encourage more flowers in summer.

Many Junipers are drought tolerant and give year round evergreen accent.

Parson's Juniper is a ground hugging evergreen conifer with feathery branches and needle-like, very dark green leaves. Excellent for use as a groundcover on large to small slopes and embankments, in small groups or as a border in landscape beds, or as a low-growing foundation shrub. Grows 24-30" in height and spreads 6-10'. Prefers full sun and well-drained soils. Salt tolerance makes it a good selection for seaside plantings.