Plants
Growing Lavender in a Xeriscape: Types, Hardiness, Drainage and Pruning
English lavender or lavandin? How cold-hardy each one is, why drainage matters more than water, and when to prune so lavender lives for years instead of going woody.
Topic
Plants
Drought-tolerant perennials, grasses, shrubs, trees, groundcovers, and cold-hardy succulents that thrive on little water, with zones, sizes, and care notes.
21 guides
Plants
Drought-Tolerant Salvia: 10 Sages That Carry a Xeriscape
Meadow sage for cold winters, autumn sage for heat, and Plant Select's Western hybrids in between: 10 drought-tolerant salvias with zones, sizes, bloom times and pruning advice.
Plants
Deer-Resistant Xeriscape Plants: 16 Low-Water Picks Deer Usually Skip
Aromatic, fuzzy, silver and grassy: the drought-tolerant plants deer browse least, ranked with Rutgers deer-damage ratings, plus the popular xeric plants that still get eaten.
Plants
Dry Shade Plants: 14 Drought-Tolerant Picks for Under Trees
Dry shade under trees is the hardest spot in a yard. These 14 groundcovers, perennials and shrubs handle root competition and little water, with zones, sizes and planting tips.
How-To Guides
Fall Planting for Xeriscapes: What to Plant, When to Stop, and How to Water
Fall is a strong season to plant tough xeric perennials, grasses and shrubs if you finish on time and keep new roots watered through a dry winter. The timing and plant list are below.
Plants
Penstemon Varieties: 10 Low-Water Picks for Hummingbirds and Color
Ten penstemons for dry gardens, from Rocky Mountain and firecracker penstemon to Plant Select's Mexicali hybrids, with zones, sizes and the lean-soil care that keeps them alive.
Plants
15 Best Drought-Tolerant Perennials That Bloom All Summer
These 15 drought-tolerant perennials deliver months of color on minimal water, with zones, bloom times, sizes and a care tip for each one.
Plants
Full-Sun, No-Mercy: Plants for Your Hottest, Driest Exposure
South-facing wall, reflected heat, all-day sun, no shade: some plants don't just survive that spot, they prefer it. 15 picks with zones, water, size and care tips.
Plants
The Best Ornamental Grasses for Low-Water Yards
Ornamental grasses are the backbone of a great xeriscape: movement, texture and four-season structure on very little water. These 10 are worth planting, with the caveats that matter.
Plants
20 Pollinator Plants for a Low-Water Garden
A xeriscape can feed far more pollinators than a lawn. These 20 drought-tolerant pollinator plants keep bees, butterflies and hummingbirds fed from spring to frost.
Hardiness Zones
The Best Xeriscape Plants for Zone 5
Zone 5 means winters down to −20°F and often dry summers too. These 24 low-water plants handle both, from perennials and grasses to shrubs, trees and cactus.
Plants
Buffalograss & Blue Grama: Lawn Alternatives That Stay Green
A buffalograss or blue grama lawn looks and walks like turf on 50–75% less irrigation than bluegrass once established. How these native grasses work, their real downsides, and how to plant one.