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Coping with Drought Drought Resistant Plants
Darrell Blackwelder
Cooperative Extension-Rowan County
“The 'Drouth of 1845' devastated the Western Piedmont. Crops bore no yield, a bushel of corn nearly tripled in price, trees withered, cattle were half-starved and wild animals starved to death.” Salisbury Post 2002
Evaluate Your Current Situation in the Landscape Inventory plants Remove dead or weak plants Heavy pruning may
be needed
Existing Situation
May already have drought resistant plants in the landscape
Many established plants can withstand dry weather
Quality is not as good as normal Insects are usually greater during
droughts Blooms and color are not good Premature leaf drop
Facing another drought-Be Prepared! Group like plants together-drought tolerate
vs. those that need supplemental watering Soil testing for optimum growth Soil preparation with proper amendments Planting for shade Mulched
Timers to prevent over-watering
Drip or trickle irrigation vs soaker hose
Planting new trees and shrubs Fall is best for planting trees and shrubs
during extended droughts Established before cold weather arrives Established plant materials often survive up
to 3 weeks without watering Learn signs of stress
Heat vs. drought stress
Lawn use much water If possible, reduce lawn areas with mulch or
drought tolerant ground covers Cool season lawns use more water than
warm season lawns Bermuda Zoyzia Centipede St. Augustine
If its green, it’s a lawn
Don’t Sacrifice Color
Drought tolerant annuals and perennials add color to landscape with minimal water
Consider planters that survive with hand watering Pansies Portulaca Profusion zinnia
Planter on trellis-with heavy mulch to conserve water
Drought resistant plants
Daylilies
Lantana
Butterfly weed
Verbena
Black eye Susan
Coneflower
Ice plant
Sedum
Liriope
Butterfly bush
Trees
Birch
Red maple
Chaste tree
Goldenrain tree
Pines Virginia, Loblolly, Japanese Black Pine
Chinese fringe tree
Crepe myrtles
Shrubs
Glossy Abelia
Barberry
Aucuba
Forsythia and weigelia
Boxwood and holly
Oakleaf hydrangea
Spireas
Nandina domestica
Ornamental grasses
VinesClematis Yellow jessamine
VinesHoneysuckle Wisteria
More information on drought tolerant plantings in landscape and lawns
Master Gardener web site Information page on the site Drought Tolerant Plant website Plant photos and more information Example of fact sheet page
