These varieties thrive in dry, drought-like conditions, once they are established. This low-maintenance alternative to traditional landscapes requires up to 60% less water.
This type of landscaping is becoming more popular in areas that have minimal or no irrigation, unreliable water sources and where water conservation is practiced. For best outcomes, consult local experts.
Shrubs
| Botanical Name | Common Name |
|---|---|
| Amelanchier | Saskatoon/Serviceberry |
| Arctostaphylos uva-ursi | Kinnickinick, Bearberry |
| Artemisia tridentata | Big Sagebrush Artemisia |
| Caragana | Caragana/Peashrub |
| Caryopteris x clandonensis ‘Dark Knight’ | Dark Knight Bluebeard |
| Chrysothamnus nauseosus var. nauseosus | Dwarf Blue Rabbitbrush |
| Elaeagnus angustifolia | Russian Olive |
| Elaeagnus commutata | Wolf Willow, Silverberry |
| Forsythia ‘Northern Gold’ | Northern Gold Forsythia |
| Genista Lydia | Lydia Broom |
| Holodiscus discolor | Ocean Spray |
| Ligustrum | Privet |
| Mahonia | Oregon Grape |
| Opuntia | Prickly Pear Cactus |
| Philadelphus | Mock Orange |
| Physocarpus | Ninebark |
| Potentilla fruticosa | Potentilla/Cinquefoil |
| Prunus virginiana | Western Chokecherry |
| Rhus | Sumac |
| Ribes | Currants/Gooseberries/Josta Berry |
| Rosa acicularis | Prickly Wild Rose |
| Rosa ‘Blanc Double de Coubert’ | Blanc Double de Coubert Rose |
| Rosa ‘ Hansa’ | Hansa Rose |
| Rosa ‘Nearly Wild’ | Nearly Wild Rose |
| Rosa ‘Purple Pavement’ | Purple Pavement Rose |
| Rosa ‘Rugelda Pavement’ | Rugelda Pavement Rose |
| Rosa ‘Schneekoppe’ | Snow Pavement Rose |
| Rosa ‘Uhlater’ Foxi Pavement | Foxi Pavement Rose |
| Rosa Woodsii | Woods Rose |
| Salix purpurea ‘Nana’ | Dwarf Blue Arctic Willow |
| Shepherdia argentea | Silver Buffaloberry |
| Shepherdia candensis | Russet Buffaloberry |
| Symphoriarpos albus | White Snowberry |
| Syringa | Lilac |
| Viburnum | Wayfaring Tree, Cranberry |
| Yucca | Yucca/soapweed/Adams Needle |
Vines
| Botanical Name | Common Name |
|---|---|
| Campsis | Trumpet Vine |
| Clematis ‘Jackmanii’ | Jackmanii Clematis |
| Parthenocissus | Virginia Creeper, Engelman Ivy |
| Polygonum aubertii | Silver Lace Vine |
Evergreens
| Botanical Name | Common Name |
|---|---|
| Picea | Spruces |
| Pinus | Pines |
| Pseudotsuga menziesii glauca | Rocky Mountain Douglas Fir |
Grasses / Aquatics
| Botanical Name | Common Name |
|---|---|
| Arrhenatherum ela. Bulbosum ‘Variegatum’ | Variegated Bulbous Oat Grass |
| Bouteloua | Blue Grama Grass |
| Deschampsia | Tufted Hair Grass |
| Elymus spicatus | Bluebunch Wheat Grass |
| Festuca | Blue Fescue Grass |
| Helictotrichon | Blue Oat Grass |
| Koeleria glauca /macrantha | Blue Hair Grass/Junegrass |
| Leymus | Lyme Grass |
| Panicum | Switch Grass |
| Pennisetum | Fountain Grass |
| Phalaris | Ribbon Grass |
| Schizachyrium | Bluestem Grass |
Perennials
| Botanical Name | Common Name |
|---|---|
| Arrhenatherum ela. Bulbosum ‘Variegatum’ | Variegated Bulbous Oat Grass |
| Bouteloua | Blue Grama Grass |
| Deschampsia | Tufted Hair Grass |
| Elymus spicatus | Bluebunch Wheat Grass |
| Festuca | Blue Fescue Grass |
| Helictotrichon | Blue Oat Grass |
| Koeleria glauca /macrantha | Blue Hair Grass/Junegrass |
| Leymus | Lyme Grass |
| Panicum | Switch Grass |
| Pennisetum | Fountain Grass |
| Phalaris | Ribbon Grass |
| Schizachyrium | Bluestem Grass |
Trees
| Botanical Name | Common Name |
|---|---|
| Caragana | Caragana/Peashrub |
| Crataegus | Hawthorn |
| Gleditsia | Honeylocust |
| Prunus virg. ‘Bailey Select’ | Bailey’s Select Schubert |
| Robinia pseudoacacia ‘Purple Robe’ | Purple Robe Locust |
| Syringa | Lilac |