Drought-tolerant plants save water, money and time

Mary Wilson, Michigan State University Extension

With climate change concerns, unpredictable droughts tolerant plants with large leaves have deep indentations and high energy prices across the country, nearly everyone is looking for ways to conserve resources and leaf area. Another sign of drought tolerance is leaves cut costs. A simple step to conserve water usage in your covered(sinuses) with between a heavy lobes accumulation in the leaves of towax reduce such theiras that landscape is to select drought-tolerant plants. Many Abies concolor). This wax serves to of these thrifty plants use less water, but still provide beauty and function in the landscape. seen on white fir ( Salvia argenteaconserve) water is another within adaptation a plant. The that presence traps moisture of fine at Start off smart thehairs leaf on surface. the leaves Drought-tolerant of some plants plantslike silver like sagefalse (blue Baptisia australis) have deep roots that pull in When creating a water-wise landscape, follow these key moisture well below the soil surface. strategies for success. indigo ( • Recognize site variations. Areas in your landscape

evaporationmay significantly rates vary and moisturein soil type levels. (sand Sandy, versus well- drainedclay), exposure soil dries to outlight quicker, (sun versus while shade) heavy andclay wind,soil is likely to remain moist longer. Adding in exposure to sun and wind can create a dry microclimate even in areas with adequate rainfall. • Select plants that match the site conditions. Use plants that thrive under existing site conditions. A poor match leads to poor performance and possible plant death. Rebecca Finneran Rebecca • Group plants of “like needs.” Intentionally group Plants with silvery or hairy foliage such as silvery sage (Salvia plants together that have similar water and sun argentea) tend to be very water-smart. exposure needs. Group any water-demanding plants together in a site close to a water source. Are native plants drought tolerant? Perhaps. It • Provide care during establishment. Even drought- depends on where the plant evolved and site tolerant plants require supplemental watering conditions where the plant will be placed. Do some during establishment. Once the root system is estab- research; don’t assume “native” is synonymous with lished, the plant will require less attention. Apply an “drought tolerance.” There is some information in the organic mulch to conserve soil moisture for newly Plant Facts section of www.nativeplants.msu.edu. developing roots. A plethora of plants: suggestions to get you Characteristics of “drought tolerance” started

Drought-tolerant plants have built-in features to The following plants are drought-tolerant, hardy to minimize water loss and maximize water uptake. Plants Michigan and have few known insect and disease may have reduced leaf areas and bear small leaves or problems. Plants native to Michigan are designated with needles as in the case of evergreens. Some drought-

an asterisk (*). Trees full sun; salt-tolerant; and deer and rabbit resistant. • White fir (Abies concolor). 40-70’ – Slow-growing, • Blue false indigo (Baptisia australis).* 36-48” – stately evergreen with soft, bluish-green needles; one - above a mound of bluish-green leaves in the spring; tive to the overused Colorado blue spruce. ornamentalUpright with black purple seed flowers pods; in full erect, sun 12”to part clusters shade; • Burof the oak most (Quercus drought-tolerant macrocarpa).* firs; and 90’ a – great Large, alterna ma- and rabbit-resistant. jestic tree with extreme drought hardiness; ultimate Annuals “tough tree for tough places;” and good growth rates • Wax Begonia (Begonia x semperflorens-cultorum). when young. 6-10” – Good choice for dry shade, also grows in full Shrubs sun; bushy plants with shiny, heart-shaped leaves • Bottlebrush buckeye (Aesculus parvifolia). 8-12’ – of green, bronze-red or mahogany; and continuous Outstanding deciduous shrub with a mounded, multi- - summer. • Mossblooms Rose of white, (Portulaca pink, rose grandiflora). or red flowers 2-8” throughout– Low stemmed habit; white flowers borne on 8-12” bottle growing, succulent groundcover for full sun, and • Bushbrush cinquefoilclusters in summer; (Potentilla tolerates fruticosa sun or).* shade 3-4’ – (even Ver- satile,flowers long-blooming in shade!); and shrub deer and for rabbitsunny resistant.areas; tolerates colors. flowers are semi-double to double in a wide range of from early summer through frost with color ranging More examples of drought-tolerant trees, shrubs, fromheat, yellow,drought white and various or orange; soil andtypes; deer showy and rabbitflowers perennials and annuals can be found at: resistant. http://bit.ly/Drought-tolerant-plants. Perennials • Yarrow (Achillea spp.). 18–36” – Easy to grow with For more information on a wide variety several selections; fern-like foliage topped with large, of Smart Gardening out about Smart Gardening classes and available in shades of yellow, pink and red; plant in events, visit www.migarden.msu.eduarticles, or to find. flat blooms in late spring to mid-summer; flowers Mary Wilson Chicago Botanic Garden Finneran Rebecca Bottlebrush buckeye produces showy ‘Pink grapefruit’ yarrow is one of many Annual wax begonia are good, drought- summer flowers in full sun and shade. outstanding yarrow cultivars for dry sites. tolerant border plants for the garden.

For more information on other topics, visit www.msue.msu.edu. To Published February 2014 with funds from USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture contact an expert in your area, visit expert.msue.msu.edu or call our hotline at 888-678-3464.