Shrubs That Can Grow in Dry Conditions
Below you will find a list of evergreen and flowering shrubs from our plant database that can grow in dry climates. If you click on any of the photos, you will see a Virtual Plant Tag that may contain plant descriptions, usage suggestions and a link to where you can buy that plant. The concept of a shrub can be difficult to define since different people might consider the same plant a groundcover, broadleaf evergreen, bush or tree.
Certain varieties of drought tolerant shrubs can handle withstand heat and dry conditions or lower soil moisture levels for months on end and can flourish in areas where there is little or no precipitation for much of the year. While these bushes have drought tolerance, many also grow equally well in moderate and even moist conditions.
With increased awareness of the value that native shrubs add to the natural landscape, these suggestions will help you make good choices about which plants are best suited for your home garden: Adam's Needle Yucca (Y. filamentosa) or Desert Yucca or Small Soapweed (Y. glauca) is hardier than often thought and can be grown as far north as Minnesota; American Arborvitae, Eastern Arborvitae or White Cedar (Thuja occidentalis) is quite drought tolerant once well established in the garden, but provide adequate moisture for several years after planting; able to grow in plain sand, the Bearberry, Bear's Grape or Kinnikinick is a low-growing sturdy shrub for a wide variety of growing conditions; adaptable to many soil types, the Blackhaw Viburnum (V. prunifolium) also has blue-black fruit and red, bronze, purple or red-purple fall leaf colors; adapted to an alpine climate, the Colorado Spruce (Picea pungens) and the many selections including the popular Blue Spruce is more drought tolerant than other Spruces.
Lovely plants originally from Asia and Europe enrich American gardens now. Alpine areas are generally mountainous, rocky and on the drier side when not covered in snow, so it is not surprising that the Alpine Spirea (Spiraea japonica var. alpina) is used as a low-growing shrub or groundcover in moderate or dry areas. The fantastic Chinese Fringe-flower (Loropetalum) grows well with strong flowering in moderate or dry, shade or sunny garden spots. Chinese Holly (Ilex crenata) and Chinese Junipers (J. chinensis) handle the dryness along buildings or city gardens. For an accent or focal point, the Smoketree or Smokebush (Cotinus coggyria) with its summer blooming will tolerate rocky, dry soils. Many Old-fashioned or Heirloom shrub roses and with much new breeding emphasis, landscape roses are not fussy and can even grow in sand.