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- 'Angelina' Sedum. You can't go wrong with 'Angelina' sedum (Sedum rupestre). This extra-easy perennial thrives in hot, sunny locations, even in the cracks in a dry stack stone wall.
- Blue Fescue. A beautiful addition to any garden, low-growing blue fescue (Festuca glauca) grass provides colorful blue-hued stems that grow in an attractive mound.
- Creeping Mahonia. An ideal option for erosion control, this shrubby evergreen groundcover grows well in shaded areas. After planting, keep creeping mahonia (Mahonia repens) watered the first year to help get it established, but from then on, it will tolerate drier conditions.
- Dianthus 'Firewitch' Dianthus, also called pinks, are members of the carnation family and have a pleasant clove-like fragrance. Dianthus gratianopolitanus 'Firewitch' offers stunning pink flowers with fringed edges for several weeks from spring into summer.
Oct 9, 2023 · There are many drought tolerant ground covers, so picking just one can be a challenge. In this article, we look at some of our favorites, with names and pictures of each! Written by Jason Wilson Last updated: October 9, 2023 | 11 min read
- Why Plant Drought-Tolerant Ground Covers?
- What Makes A Ground Cover Drought-Tolerant?
- Best Drought-Tolerant Ground Covers
- Taller Ground Cover Plants to Consider
Climate change has meant climate challenge, especially for those living in areas already prone to drought. Even if you don’t live in such an area, you may have faced drought conditions in more than one season in recent years. Preparing your garden to make do with less water is an important strategy for adapting to our changing climate. Here’smore a...
Drought-tolerant ground covers are plants that can thrive with very little water. Some drought-tolerant plants have deep taproots that can go far into the soil to find the moisture they need. Others have succulent leaves that store water for when it’s needed. Some plants are considered extremely drought tolerant, while others are less so. The key i...
SEDUMS
Also known as stonecrop, sedums are succulents with thick, fleshy leaves that allow them to store water, so they can survive long periods without additional irrigation. If you’re looking for a drought-resistant ground cover, you’ll have plenty of sedums to choose from. There are over 400 sedum species! Many varieties of sedum only grow a few inches tall and form mats that work as ground covers. Some to consider include cascade stonecrop (Sedum divergens), Angelina stonecrop (Sedum rupestre ‘A...
CREEPING THYME
Thyme is not only an extremely drought-tolerant ground cover, it’s also a versatile culinary and medicinal herb. One of the best varieties of thyme to use as a ground cover is woolly thyme, which has attractive silvery foliage and can withstand foot traffic. Several other types of thyme grow in low mats, such as lemon thyme and variegated thyme. Be sure to check the hardiness of these plants to ensure they’re suited to your climate. Thyme is also an excellent companion plant. Here’s more abou...
OREGANO
Oregano is a wonderfully flavorful herb that can be used as a drought-tolerant ground cover. For a low-growing ground cover, you’ll want oregano varieties with a creeping habit. The lowest-growing variety is Origanum vulgare ‘Humile,’which is hardy in zones 6 to 11. In colder climates, Greek oregano is a good choice, as it tends to form a mat as well. Taller types of oregano are a bit easier to harvest. Encourage oregano to spread by pinching off the top growth throughout the season. If you h...
Though the term ‘ground cover’ typically indicates low-growing plants, some taller drought-tolerant plants prone to spreading might be worth considering adding to your water-wise landscape.
Jul 8, 2023 · Best drought-tolerant ground cover plants – 12 low-growing options for dry spells. Drought-tolerant ground cover plants are unsung heroes of an arid summer garden, adding color, texture and continuity to any space
- Yarrow. Yarrow tolerates heat like a champ, and this easy-growing drought-tolerant perennial is also a great cut flower. Plus, deer, rabbits, and most other pests won't touch it.
- Blanket Flower. A tough prairie plant, blanket flower blooms all summer and into fall. Its flamboyant flowers are usually marked with bright shades of red and yellow.
- Pineleaf Penstemon. The semi-evergreen penstemon bursts into bloom each summer, producing masses of bright scarlet-red flowers that butterflies and hummingbirds will love as much as you do.
- Agastache. You can rely on agastache to be covered in blooms throughout the summer and autumn. It comes in several colorful varieties, such as 'Desert Sunrise' (shown here), which offers orange blooms that feature pink and lavender tints.
May 9, 2022 · Here are the nine best drought-tolerant ground covers for your landscape: Angelina sedum (Sedum rupestre ‘Angelina’) Bearberry cotoneaster (Cotoneaster dammeri) California fuchsia (Epilobium canum) Creeping thyme (Thymus praecox) Dwarf periwinkle (Vinca minor) Hardy ice plant (Delosperma cooperi) Moss phlox (Phlox subulata)
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Are ground covers drought tolerant?
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Apr 26, 2021 · The best drought tolerant groundcovers share several common characteristics. For example, drought-tolerant plants often have small or narrow leaves with a smaller surface area and reduced moisture loss. Similarly, plants with leaves that are waxy, curled, or deeply veined retain moisture. Many drought tolerant plants are covered with fine grey ...
