My Favorite Drought Tolerant Plants…

Many years ago I created a list of the plants that I use most often in my landscape designs. When I design a landscape, I need to make sure that the plants I choose will thrive in our climate and region. Some of the plants on this list would not be considered ‘drought tolerant’, and yet they survive with the heat and cold and thrive on a drip irrigation system. I use combinations of these plants over and over again, creating a bold, textured, sustainable palate.
It’s amazing how when these plants are planted, immediately butterflies and other insects are attracted to them!
It’s time to make the change with our landscapes…and here are some wonderful plants that thrive in our California climate!

ROBERTA’S PICKS FOR A DROUGHT-TOLERANT LANDSCAPE
Silver Color

Artemesia ‘Powis Castle’/Silver Mnd.
Cerastium – Snow in Summer
Convolvulous – Bush Morning Glory
Grevillea ‘Penola’
Lavender – all types
Santolina – chamaecyparis
Senecio cineraria
Stachys – Lamb’s Ear

Non-deciduous shrubs

Agapanthus – all varieties
Callestemon – ‘Little John’
Cistus – Rock Rose
Coleonema – all types
Correa – Australian Fuschia
Dietes – Fortnight lily
Euphorbia – all varieties
Grevillea – all varieties
Helianthemum – Sunrose
Hemerocallis – Day Lily (there are evergreen varieties)
Pittosporum – all types
Rhaphiolepsis
Rosemary
Santolina – Viridis
Zauschernia – California Fuschia

Perennial Color

Achillea – Yarrow
Aloe
Anigothanzthus – Kangaroo Paws
Aster
Brachycome – Swan River Daisy
Coreopsis – all types
Echinacea – Purple Cone Flower
Erigeron – Santa Barbara Daisy
Felicia
Gaillardia
Gaura
Ground Cover Roses
Kniphofia – red Hot Poker
Lantana
Nepeta – Catmint
Penstemon
Perovska – Russian Sage
Plumbago
Rudbeckia – Black-Eyed Susan
Salvia – ‘Hot lips’ ‘Maynight’, etc.
Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’
Shasta Daisy

Ground Cover

Arctostaphylos – ‘Emerald Carpet or Uva Ursi Cotoneaster – prostrate varieties
Delosperma ‘Cooperii’ Erigeron – Santa Barbara Daisy
Gazania – trailing types Ground Cover Roses
Juniperous ‘Wiltonii’ & other prostrate varieties Myoporum
Rosemary – prostrate varieties Thymus – Thyme
Verbena – ‘Tapien’

Succulents

Aloe Vera Echeveria – Hens & Chicks
Agave ‘Paryii’ Sedum ‘Autmn Joy’, ‘Angelina’,
Agave ‘Americana’ – Dwarf varieties ‘Dragon’s Blood & ‘Cape Blanco’
Sempervivum – check on cold hardiness
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