Choosing Drought Tolerant Plants

cactus desert plant Northern Nevada has experienced high temperatures and very little precipitation for quite a few years.  These dry conditions can drastically affect your landscaping, not to mention staggering water bills.  There are many drought-tolerant plants and flowers available that will not only help you conserve water, but also add beautiful color and texture to your property.  Here are just a few examples:

  • Artemisia Schmidtiana Silver Mound.  This is one of the most popular foliate perennials.  Artemisia forms a low cushion of ferny, silvery-grey leaves and is a perfect choice for hot, dry areas.
  • Eriogonum umbellatum Sulfur Buckwheat.  This beautiful plant can withstand sun, heat, drought and wind, making it an ideal choice for our  dry climate.  Flowers range from yellow to orange or red.
  • Delosperma cooperi Hardy Iceplant.  This great groundcover has succulent needle-like leaves and bright purple flowers.
  • Nepeta x faassenii Catmint.  This mound of lavender and aromatic grayish leaves is especially hardy and very easy to grow.
  • Sedum Autumn Joy.  This plant is dependable and very low maintenance.  The pink and copper flowers attract butterflies and grows to about two feet tall and wide with wide succulent stems and leaves.
  • Helictotrchon sempervirens Blue Oat Grass.  This grass is the best choice for accents and looks attractive year-round.
  • Yucca filamentosa Adam’s Needle.  This hardy plant features long, blue-green leaves and fragrant cream flowers in the early summer.

Choosing drought-tolerant plant material will save you money while adding splendor to your landscaping.  Minimizing your water usage doesn’t mean you have to reduce the amount of plant material in your landscaping.  In addition, knowing where to place the plants for maximum health and growth will also help achieve maximum water savings.