Coping with Drought Drought Resistant Plants Darrell Blackwelder Cooperative Extension-Rowan County

“The 'Drouth of 1845' devastated the Western Piedmont. Crops bore no yield, a bushel of corn nearly tripled in price, trees withered, cattle were half-starved and wild animals starved to death.” Salisbury Post 2002

Evaluate Your Current Situation in the Landscape Inventory plants Remove dead or weak plants Heavy pruning may be needed

Existing Situation May already have drought resistant plants in the landscape Many established plants can withstand dry weather Quality is not as good as normal  Insects are usually greater during droughts  Blooms and color are not good  Premature leaf drop

Facing another drought-Be Prepared! Group like plants together-drought tolerate vs. those that need supplemental watering Soil testing for optimum growth Soil preparation with proper amendments Planting for shade Mulched

Timers to prevent over-watering

Drip or trickle irrigation vs soaker hose

Planting new trees and shrubs Fall is best for planting trees and shrubs during extended droughts Established before cold weather arrives Established plant materials often survive up to 3 weeks without watering Learn signs of stress  Heat vs. drought stress

Lawn use much water If possible, reduce lawn areas with mulch or drought tolerant ground covers Cool season lawns use more water than warm season lawns  Bermuda  Zoyzia  Centipede  St. Augustine If its green, it’s a lawn

Don’t Sacrifice Color Drought tolerant annuals and perennials add color to landscape with minimal water Consider planters that survive with hand watering  Pansies  Portulaca  Profusion zinnia

Planter on trellis- with heavy mulch to conserve water

Drought resistant plants

Daylilies

Lantana

Butterfly weed

Verbena

Black eye Susan

Coneflower

Ice plant

Sedum

Liriope

Butterfly bush

Trees

Birch

Red maple

Chaste tree

Goldenrain tree

Pines Virginia, Loblolly, Japanese Black Pine

Chinese fringe tree

Crepe myrtles

Shrubs

Glossy Abelia

Barberry

Aucuba

Forsythia and weigelia

Boxwood and holly

Oakleaf hydrangea

Spireas

Nandina domestica

Ornamental grasses

Vines Clematis Yellow jessamine

Vines Honeysuckle Wisteria

More information on drought tolerant plantings in landscape and lawns Master Gardener web site Information page on the site Drought Tolerant Plant website Plant photos and more information Example of fact sheet page

Darrell Blackwelder Cooperative Extension-Rowan County