Tolerance is often viewed as a positive characteristic. Most people can recall a situation in their lives in which tolerance played a crucial role. Tolerating my dog, who now chooses to begin needing attention when I am talking on the phone, has become a necessary behavior of mine this summer. Whether we are tolerating an animal or person, tolerance usually allows us to get through a situation more easily.
Plants have also, over the years, developed a tolerance to situations. Drought-tolerant plants, for example, have characteristics that allow them to survive when other plants may not. A drought-tolerant plant is one that, once established, can survive on the water that is supplied through an average rain fall. Characteristics of drought-tolerant plants include the ability to minimize water loss through the leaves and have the ability to take up great amounts of water, when needed, through their roots. The leaves of these plants may be small, gray in color, succulent, waxy or hairy. Drought-tolerant plants posses the ability to develop a large root system that allows them to seek our water that is deep within the soil profile. It is crucial that while this root system is being developed during the first several years of growth, these plants receive adequate supplemental water.
Although many drought-tolerant plants are considered to be native to this area, drought-tolerant plants are available in a wide range of plants categories. Here is a list of drought-tolerant plants broken up by plant type.
Groundcovers
Burgundy Glow Bugleweed (Ajuga reptans ‘Burgundy Glow’) Variegated foliage of pink, white, and green ads a nice color difference as a groundcover. Blue flower appears in spring. Grows about 6” in height and does best in full to part shade.
Fire Spinner Ice Plant (Delosperma ‘P001S’) Succulent evergreen foliage with unique bright orange and pink flowers in early to midsummer. Grows 5” tall and 18” wide. Does best in full sun.
Perennial Flowers- Blue Ice Blue Star (Amsonia tabernaemontana ‘Blue Ice’) Low mound of green willow-like leaves; clusters of dark blue buds that open into starry soft blue flowers. Foliage turns buttery gold in autumn. Fast growing with a mature height and width of 15”. Attracts butterflies and pollinators. Does best in full sun to part sun.
Decadence Pink Lemonade Baptisia (Baptisia ‘Pink Lemonade’) Soft yellow flowers appear in the late spring and age to dusty raspberry purple. Can be planted by a driveway due to its salt tolerance. Grows about 3’ by 3’ and does best in full sun to part shade.
Pigsqueak (Bergenia ‘Winter Glow’) Gorgeous fall and winter foliage color with magenta-red flowers that appear in panicles above the foliage in April. Rabbit resistant. Grows 18” tall and wide. Does best in full shade.
Hot Papaya Coneflower (Echinacea ‘Hot Papaya’) Fragrant spicy red flowers with orange halo in pompon center are present in July, August and September. Grows 30” tall and 18” wide. Does best in full sun.
False Sunflower (Heliopsis helianthoides ‘Summer Nights’) Bright golden yellow daisy-like flowers with mahogany center appear throughout the summer. Attracts butterflies and grows about 3’ tall and 2’ side. Does best in full sun.
Lamium (Lamium maculatum ‘Orchid Frost’) The Orchid-pink flowers pair with silver green-edged leaves make a stunning combination. Very adaptable plant that grows 10” wide and tall. Does best in full to part shade.
Sweet Romance Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia ‘Kerlavangem’) The fragrant gray-green foliage and plump violet-purple flowers make this a beautiful perennial flower. Grows 18” tall and wide. It is rabbit resistant. Grows 15” tall and wide.
Carl Sedum (Sedum ‘Carl’) Grey-green, slightly serrated leaves form an upright clump. Large clusters of bright, magenta pink flowers are held on red stems. Grows 24” tall and wide. Grows best in full sun. Attracts butterflies and pollinators.
Vines
Scentsation Honeysuckle Vine (Lonicera periclymenum ‘Scentsation’) A very showy vine with extremely fragrant yellow flowers; blooms from mid-spring to late summer, followed by bright red berries. Grows 12’ tall and 4’ wide.
Ornamental Grasses
Big Bluestem (Andropogon gerardii ‘Blackhawks’) Dark green foliage with purple highlights spring and late summer into fall, then deepening to nearly black. Grows 5’ tall and 3’ wide and does best in full sun.
Blue Switch Grass (Panicum virgatum ‘Heavy Metal’) Interesting metallic blue leaves coupled with airy heads of tiny green flowers. Foliage bright yellow with burgundy tips in fall. Grows about 5’ tall and 2’ wide.
Flowering Shrubs
Low Scape Snowfire Chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa ‘SMNAMPEM’) Mid-sized native spring flowering shrub with white blooms that attract pollinators. Beautiful red fall foliage. Grows 3’ tall and wide. Does best in full to part sun.
New Jersey Tea (Ceanothus americanus) Bears white flower panicles in June and July. This native is good for difficult areas. Attracts hummingbirds and butterflies. Grows about three-and-a-half feet tall and wide. Does best in full sun to part shade.
Yuki Cherry Blossom Deutzia(Deutzia ‘NCDX2’) This shrub has a neat mounded habitat 24” tall and wide. The pink flowers appear in May and June followed by rich burgundy-purple fall foliage. Does best in full sun to part shade.
Ginger Wine Ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius ‘SMNPOBLR’) Gorgeous hues of orange-red leaves in spring and fall turn burgundy in summer. Large white flowers give way to bright red seed-heads. Excellent mildew resistance. Grows 5’ tall and wide. Does best in full sun to part shade.
Creme Brulee Potentilla (Potentilla fruticosa ‘Bailbrule’) Pretty double white flowers contrast with the dark green foliage all summer long. This plant forms a nice, rounded habit that stays compact while growing three feet tall and two-and-a-half feet wide.
Evergreen shrubs
Everlow Yew (Taxus x media ‘Everlow’) Lustrous, dark green, flat-needled foliage. Very compact growth habit at 1 ½ tall and 3’ wide. Requites very little pruning. Grows well in sun to shade.
Trees
River Birch (Betula nigra) Beautiful multi-stem tree with exfoliating cinnamon-colored bark creates interest year round. Grows approximately 60’ tall and 35’ wide. Does best in full sun to part shade.
Redbud(Cercis Canadensis) Best known for its pea-like purple flowers, which bloom profusely on bare branches. Heart shaped leaves turn an attractive yellow in fall. Grows 20’ tall and wide.
Forest Rouge Blackhaw Viburnum (Viburnum prunifolium ‘McKRouge’) Flat-topped clusters of creamy white flowers in May. Summer foliage is dark shiny green; stunning maroon in fall. Shrub or multi-stemmed small tree with a dense, oval, upright form. Grows about 12’ tall and seven feet wide. Does best in full sun to part shade.
Kathleen Carr is the owner of The Growing Scene, Inc.,a landscaping company. She can be reached by calling 815-923-7322 or emailing her at Kathleen@thegrowingscene.com. Have a gardening question? Please contact her. She may address it in an upcoming column.
