Drought Resistant Plants

Dense clusters of fragrant dark azure to blue-violet flowers nearly cover up the nicely contrasting blue-gray foliage of this shrubby perennial beginning in mid to late summer and continuing into fall. The flowers attract butterflies, bees, and other pollinators. Longwood Blue Bluebeard is a vigorous freely flowering selection of Caryopteris growing to 4' high and 3-4' wide and selected by Longwood Gardens of Pennsylvania. Caryopteris prefers a well-drained soil in a full to mostly sunny position. Somewhat drought resistant once well-established. A Missouri Botanic Gardens Plant of Merit award winner. Item# 11671

Large flattened to slightly rounded clusters of clean white flowers are produced over a long period in late winter and early spring and attract a myriad of pollinators and other garden beneficials. Young stems are deep red to maroon and the foliage is glossy and deep dark green creating a nicely contrasting foil for the white flowers. Lord Byron Viburnum is a hybrid of our natives Viburnum obovatum and V. rufidulum and exhibits the durability and adaptability of both species with a close resemblance to V. rufidulum, the Rusty Blackhaw. Lord Byron naturally develops into a medium to large shrub and its only drawback is that it tends to produce suckers, in our experience, which may be desirable particularly in naturalistic settings. Easy and low maintenance with excellent vigor. Item# 11497

Deep glowing red, starry flowers with tubular throats are held on sturdy 24-36" high stems and flower over an extended period beginning in summer and often into fall under good conditions. An obviously hummingbird pollinated perennial but it aslo attracts some larger butterflies, especially Sulphurs. The Louisiana Catchfly, Silene subciliata, is a rare, drought resistant, clump forming, tap-rooted, native perennial that is found only in Western Louisiana and East Texas. It is typically seen growing on well-drained sandy loams to loamy sands and so areas with good to excellent drainage will be optimum. While the Louisiana Catchfly can tolerate the filtered shade of open Longleaf Pine forests, plants tend to be sturdier and shorter in full to mostly sunny sites. The rosettes are cloaked in rounded narrow, medium-green foliage and remain evergreen in zone 8B. This is one of the few Silenes that easily tolerates the heat and humidity of Southeastern summers. Easy and reliable once established. Item# 9522

Lucerne Blue-Eyed Grass produces exceptionally large 3/4-1" wide, vibrant blue to bluish-purple, dainty Iris-like flowers that are held well above and among the contrasting, narrow deep blue-green iris-like foliage. This is a durable and easy to grow late spring/early summer flowering native perennial that lends itself to use as a border, in the perennial garden, or rock garden. Images courtesy of North Creek Nurseries. Item# 10165.

Clusters of deep orange 2" tubular flowers with yellow throats are held above the rich blue-green foliage of this selection of the tame native Coral Honeysuckle. This easily grown evergreen vine is an excellent choice for hummingbirds and butterflies that may produce flowers basically year round with peak flowering in early to mid spring as the Humminbirds arrive. Caterpillar host: Chalcedon Checkerspot. Item# 9573.

Magnolia or Brunswick produces a good crop of medium to large bronze to purple figs with good quality pink to amber flesh with tiny seeds and open eye. The fruit ripens over a long season. Magnolia is considered a good choice for the drier portions of the South and Southwestern US. Caterpillar host: Ruddy Daggerwing. Item# 1113.

A superb butterfly nectar plant! Pinkish-purple daisy-like blooms with dark centers to 7" across are born mid-summer to fall. The flowers are held on sturdy stems that are 2-3'H. An outstanding and award winning selection of our native Purple Coneflower! Item # 1100.

Considered by many to be the best of the red flowered Coral Honeysuckles. Major Wheeler produces loads of large clusters of deep red 2" tubular flowers with yellow throats are held above the rich blue-green disease resistant foliage of this selection of the tame native Coral Honeysuckle. Caterpillar host: Chalcedon Checkerspot. Image courtesy of North Creek Nurseries. Item# 9719.

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Tall spikes of glowing red to purplish-red, 2-3" tubular blooms are born in summer above the foliage of this tough native perennial. A drought tolerant and hardy shrublet that freezes back to the ground to return in spring. The flowers are followed by dark colored bean pods that split open to display their brilliant red-orange beans that can remain on the plant all winter. Excellent for Hummingbirds. Caterpillar host: Holly Blue. Item# 9408.

Dense spikes of tubular flowers range from soft mango orange to light peach and emerge from long lasting rose colored calyxes. The flowers are produced basically from late spring to fall atop the fruitily fragrant grayish green foliage. Mango Tango Hummingbird Mint was selected for its dense and compact habit as well as for its ability to provide a long season of color as a container plant or in the garden and landscape. The flowers attract hummingbirds and larger butterflies. Provide a full to mostly sunny location in a well-drained soil for optimum vigor and flowering as well as the plant's longevity. Image courtesy of Walter's Gardens, Inc., all rights reserved. Item# 12028

Masses of primrose yellow, 1" long trumpets herald the coming of spring and have a strong Jasmine-like fragrance that is produced in early evening and at night suggesting that they are pollinated by hummingbird or sphinx moths as well as by native bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. *It is not a suitable nectar plant for honeybees. Margarita Carolina Yellow Jessamine, with larger flowers, more flowers, and improved cold hardiness over the species surviving -25^oF at North Creek Nurseries in Landenberg, PA. This a native, twining, evergreen to semi-evergreen vine with glossy, dark green, narrow foliage that can climb up to 20' high but is just as happy on a 6' fence or other sturdy support. The species, Gelsemium sempervirens, is native to the southeastern US, but, Margarita was selected by Don Jacobs of Eco Gardens in Decatur, Georgia. Provide Carolina Yellow Jasmine with a full sun to mostly sunny site in an average to well-drained, fertile soil for optimum growth and to maximize flowering. Although, it is shade tolerant it doesn't flower as profusely. Tough and easy as well as drought, deer, and rabbit resistant. Its fragrance is enough to stop you in your tracks on an evening stroll! A Pennsylvania Horticulture Society Gold Medal Award Winner! Item# 9071

3" soft primrose yellow, cornflower-like daisies are born in summer on this durable and reliable, clump forming US native perennial. Stoke's Aster comes highly recommended and its easy to see why with moderate drought resistance, deer and rabbit resistance and it revels in the heat and sun of our southern summers. Plants readily multiply into dense clumps. Super easy and tough. Item# 10487.

Maryland Goldenaster is a clump forming native perennial whose silky-edged rosette of foliage is barely noticed much of the year but in fall it bursts into color producing a multitude of 18-24" stems that are topped by large clusters of nearly 1" wide golden yellow daisies. The perfect native replacement for mums in the fall garden and one of our favorite fall flowering native perennials. The Maryland Goldenaster is generally found in sandy, well-drained soils in full sun to partially shaded locations and is somewhat drought resistant once well-established. This is sure to brighten up the late summer and fall meadow, prairie, or roadside as well. It provides bees and smaller butterflies with a much needed source of pollen and nectar late in the season. Item# 10687

The Maypop Passionvine or Passion Flower produces a summer long display of 2-3" wide white, lavender, and purple exotic flowers that are held against medium green tropical foliage. Pollinated flowers are followed by round passion fruit that ripen to yellow and contain a tangy tropical tasting clear flesh that surrounds each of the small black inedible seeds. This easy to grow perennial native vine can grow to 15-18' each year if given a suitable support but it is also happy to clamber along a fence, trellis, or any other support that it can grasp with its strong tendrils. Provide a well-drained soil and a full to mostly sunny position for the best results. Caterpillar host: Gulf Fritillary, Julia Butterfly, Variegated Fritillary, and Zebra Longwing. Click on "More Details and Growing Info" or the image to learn more about growing Passionvines as perennials in containers or in the garden and landscape. Item# 500

Medium pink trumpets with deep pink throats are born freely from late spring or early summer until first frost to year round under warm tropical conditions atop sturdy stems. Mayan™ Pink Ruellia or Mexican Petunia is a relatively new seed and pollen sterile selection that can spend more energy on flowering instead of adding unwanted seedlings to the garden. In many regards it is similar to but outperforms Purple Showers in overall flower power and disease resistance. It is also a tetraploid so the funnel-shaped flowers are slightly larger than your typical Mexican Petunias. The Mexican Petunia is a naturally evergreen, rhizomatous or spreading, tropical perennial that is grown as a die-back perennial in zones 8-9. It can be grown as a low maintenance container specimen plant, in mixed container gardens, as well as in the garden and landscape. It can also be used as a tall groundcover in difficult sites. The flowers attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Provide Mexican Petunias with a full sun to part sun site in an average moist to wet, fertile soil for optimum vigor and flowering. Item# 12436

Deep violet trumpets are born freely from late spring or early summer until first frost to year round under warm tropical conditions atop sturdy stems. Mayan™ Purple Ruellia or Mexican Petunia is a relatively new seed and pollen sterile selection that can spend more energy on flowering instead of adding unwanted seedlings to the garden. In many regards it is similar to but outperforms Purple Showers in overall flower power and disease resistance. It is also a tetraploid so the funnel-shaped flowers are slightly larger than your typical Mexican Petunias. The Mexican Petunia is a naturally evergreen, rhizomatous or spreading, tropical perennial that is grown as a die-back perennial in zones 8-9. It can be grown as a low maintenance container specimen plant, in mixed container gardens, as well as in the garden and landscape. It can also be used as a tall groundcover in difficult sites. The flowers attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Provide Mexican Petunias with a full sun to part sun site in an average moist to wet, fertile soil for optimum vigor and flowering. Item# 12435

Pure white trumpets are born freely from late spring or early summer until first frost to year round under warm tropical conditions atop sturdy stems. Mayan™ White Ruellia or Mexican Petunia is a relatively new seed and pollen sterile selection that can spend more energy on flowering instead of adding unwanted seedlings to the garden. In many regards it is similar to but outperforms Purple Showers in overall flower power and disease resistance. It is also a tetraploid so the funnel-shaped flowers are slightly larger than your typical Mexican Petunias. The Mexican Petunia is a naturally evergreen, rhizomatous or spreading, tropical perennial that is grown as a die-back perennial in zones 8-9. It can be grown as a low maintenance container specimen plant, in mixed container gardens, as well as in the garden and landscape. It can also be used as a tall groundcover in difficult sites. The flowers attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Provide Mexican Petunias with a full sun to part sun site in an average moist to wet, fertile soil for optimum vigor and flowering. Item# 12598

These Coneflowers are produced with a range of ray colors from creamy yellow, through banana yellow, and into mango and pumpkin. Mellow Yellows Coneflower, a seed grown selection of Echinacea purpurea developed by Jelitto® Seed that has taken 20 years to develop, was selected for its better and more consistent branching habit, larger deeper colored flowers and scapes, and improved disease resistance. Coneflowers are clump forming perennials whose often fragrant flowers are adored by butterflies, bees, and other pollinators that can be enjoyed as part of the sunny garden garden and landscape as well as container specimens. Leave seedheads for fall and winter songbirds to enjoy. Periodic deadheading will keep the plants looking clean and may help promote continuous flowering. Provide a full to mostly sunny site in an average moist, well-drained, fertile, preferably mineral soil for optimum vigor and flowering. Photos courtesy of Jelitto® Seed, all rights reserved. Item# 12794

From dense spikes of dark colored calyxes emerge purple two-lipped tubular flowers that are produced throughout much of the year on a compact dense and low growing plant with bright green quilted foliage. Mesa Azure Salvia is a hybrid selection from the Mesa series and the nectar rich flowers attract hummingbirds, butterflies, and long tongued bees anytime this tidy plant is in bloom. If flowering slows down a light pruning and fertilizing will send back into production. Mesa Azure Salvia will perform best in a well-drained sunny location and is moderately drought resistant once well-established. Item# 11147

The typical Mexican Butterfly Weed that produces clusters of orange to red-orange flowers with contrasting sunny yellow centers are produced from mid to late spring to frost or nearly year round under warm tropical conditions. An excellent host plant for Monarch, Queen, and Soldier Butterflies. It has a naturally upright to vase shaped habit and the stems are adorned with medium sized deep green narrow foliage. Mexican Butterfly Weed can be grown as a short-lived (2-3 years usually) die-back perennial in zones 8-9, it should remain evergreen in zone 10, and is commonly grown as an annual in colder zones. Makes a wonderful heat and sunloving plant with something of a tropical look. Use Mexican Butterfly Weed at the back of the perennial border or in mixed combination pots. Item# 502

Clusters of bright orange 1-2" wide, daisy-like flowers with a yellow 'eye' that matures to orange are produced throughout the growing season to potentially year-round under warm frost free conditions. The Mexican Flame Vine, Senecio confusus, a.k.a Pseudogynoxis chenopodioides, is a naturally evergreen, small to medium-sized, herbaceous, twining tropical vine whose nectar and pollen-laden flowers are favored by butterflies, especially migrating Monarchs, as well as bees and hummingbirds. It is known to be a root hardy perennial in zones 9-10 and even in 8B if provided with a breathable insulative mulch for winter. It can be easily overwintered as a container plant and it is vigorous enough to enjoy as an annual where not hardy. Use this easy and vigorous vine on trellises and fences or allow it to spill from a hanging basket. Provide the Mexican Flame Vine with a full to partly sunny site in an average to well-drained, fertile soil for optimum vigor and flowering. Item# 505

2-3" wide rounded clusters of white to light rose pink flowers, sometimes with green to purple tones, are produced in late spring and summer attracting bees and other smaller pollinators. Mexican Whorled Milkweed, Asclepias fascicularis, is considered one of the better native Milkweeds for garden culture. This West Coast native, rhizomatous perennial grows to about 2-3' high and spreads to about 2-3' wide with its many stems adorned in narrow medium green foliage and are readily utilized by Monarch butterflies as a larval food source. It is highly drought resistant once fully established though plants tend to look and flower best under average moisture conditions. Mexican Whorled Milkweed is found in all West Coast states including into Idaho, Utah, and Nevada as well as into Baja Mexico. Provide a full to mostly sunny site, in a well-drained soil for optimum vigor and flowering. Naturally enters dormancy in late summer returning in spring. Caterpillar host: Queen and Monarch. Item# 12974