For those of you who are first time visitors—we live in Southern California. We’re in the 4th year of a drought. It’s serious. I posted some early research on plants that are drought tolerant. To be honest, I haven’t plunged into planting because the garden seems dismal to me right now and I’m optimistic that El Niño will rescue us from this depressing condition!
That said, I’ve soldiered on in my quest for drought tolerant plant material that I could live with. I’m not a fan of a desert landscape and my goal was to find plants that could almost mimic an English garden, but not require much water. Before you laugh so hard you can’t read the rest of my post, there are a surprising number, of what I consider lush, green, blooming plants, that would lend beauty to any garden and they aren’t very thirsty.
I’m going to start with two plants that Cindy of the fabulous Rough Luxe blog left with me in comments. She followed up with a post on her drought tolerant garden, located in California, that requires very little irrigation. The two plants she recommended are incredible and will be the first things I buy for the back yard when I order. They are Nepeta Faassenii
This beauty requires full sun or morning sun, afternoon shade and works for zones 4-9. It blooms late spring to late summer—that works for me. It’s considered waterwise. Maybe it will impart some wisdom to the plants around it. 🙂
The second plant that Cindy recommended and I like the looks of is Teucrium
Teucrium chamaedrys -This evergreen or deciduous subshrub is grown for its attractive, dark green aromatic foliage and its light pink to deep purple flowers, which blossom in summer and early fall. This garden workhorse can be used in troughs, containers, low hedges, knot gardens, rock gardens, or as edging…encouraging, right? But wait, there’s more…
This is a plant we used in our landscape jobs a lot. It was for those who wanted pretty flowers but didn’t want to do very much work in their garden. Mexican Sage. The great thing about this plant is that you can trim it back if it gets too big for surrounding garden and it happily returns within a matter of a few weeks, blooming and happy. (Note: this is Southern California conditions, no frost here).
You may be wondering what I’m going to do for contrast in the color palate, since I have selected pinks and purples so far. I hope that my Iceberg shrub roses (white) can continue thriving (so far, so good).
The next plant on my list is Yarrow (achillea) which comes in a variety of colors. Good in zones 3-9. The appeal for this plant, besides its low water needs, is that you can divide it every few years and make more plants for other areas of your garden and it attracts butterflies. The plant that gives back! 🙂
A surprise to me as far as drought tolerant plants is the Alstroemeria. I buy these flowers as filler from Trader Joe’s. They come in a wide variety of color and are planted from a bulb (similar to day lily) and bloom every summer. Zones 6-7 and 9-10. For those with deer issues, they are deer resistant. They require part sun/sun.
The final installment for this drought busting plant list is Belleza Gaura. It’s easy to grow, full sun loving and drought friendly
If you’re in a drought plagued area, you may be interested in some tips from Dave of Dave’s Garden. I’ve been saving dishwater and using it around the garden as a result of his suggestion. Happy gardening wherever you are.
All Vintage Garden Graphics via Fairy Graphics
Garden, Home & Party 
Anita Rivera said:
Dearest Karen! Good morning. I am so thankful for the wealth of information and help that bloggers provide. I have learned so much for dear blogger friends from gardening to cooking to fun art projects and travel tips. This is a great selection of plants that I hope will bring you enjoyment. That first GORGEOUS purple bushy flower resembles what we grow here: CATMINT. We love it and it too does not require a lot of water.
The condition that California finds itself in concerns me. Whenever we get a deluge of rain (like we did last week), I always pray, “Please, may California get some of this!” I wish there was a way to channel all this water to a reservoir for all of you!
Praying seriously for the drought to end. Enjoy researching and may you have great success! HUGS, Anita
Karen B. said:
Good Morning Anita! The first plant is Catmint. I failed to post the common name. I have a few spots in the formal garden I plan to give a go with this plant. I pray the same prayers where weather is concerned…Mother Nature just needs to organize her weather patterns I bit! 🙂 If only… Enjoy the rest of your week. xo, Karen
On Wed, Jul 8, 2015 at 2:17 AM, Garden, Home & Party wrote:
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Dawn said:
I’m so glad that you can continue to nurture your garden dreams, Karen. You are making the best of a dire situation, sweet friend! All of your research on drought-tolerant gardening is so valuable. Over the years, I have grown Nepeta, Gaura, and Yarrow in my Midwest garden. I think you will really enjoy growing them, too! What fun it will be to grow your own Alstroemeria! We are all hoping that the drought will end soon, and that our California friends will be showered with gentle, lasting rains! ♡
Karen B. said:
Dear Dawn, That’s always a good sign to me, that some a few plants on my list can thrive in a variety of climates and conditions. Our neighbor planted yarrow earlier this spring, little starts were all they were in March, now the yarrow is sizable and happily blooming. The weather experts are sounding fairly positive about the possibilities of an El Nino. I’m hoping the rain comes with breaks between storms. 🙂 xo, Karen
On Wed, Jul 8, 2015 at 5:59 AM, Garden, Home & Party wrote:
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Victoria • Restoring our Victorian said:
Pinning all of these! We’ve had decent rain this season, but UNUSUAL heat which is sort of canceling out all the good rain!
Hope you are enjoying your summer, despite the overly dry garden!
Karen B. said:
Hi Victoria, Our summer has been very strange—it’s been unseasonably cool, which is a good thing since there’s no water to keep things from dying! Anytime cool weather is present I’m a happy camper. I hope your dahlias are thriving again this year—you *did* plant them, right? xo, Karen
On Wed, Jul 8, 2015 at 8:01 AM, Garden, Home & Party wrote:
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Leslie @Pretty Petals said:
Wonderful information Karen. This drought is a serious one and the fire season has already started. My mother lives in the Ventura county area and I’m receiving updates. An avid gardener, she is only allowed to water twice weekly and is worried about some of her plants. I will forward this post to her 🙂 WA state is very dry too and in the 18 years I’ve lived here .. have never seen the temps remain so warm and conditions so dry. The animals that normally stay in the mountains are coming closer looking for food and water. It’s sad. We just returned form Canada ~ Whistler and it was hot and dry there too. There were several fires near by and as of two days ago they were not contained. Anyway, this is such good information and I pray rain is on the way for you all next season!
Karen B. said:
Leslie, It seems to me that this drought is worse than the ones we’ve experienced in California in the past. My memory may be faulty, but here in Irvine they’ve really clamped down on water. Like your mom, I can only water twice weekly. My friend on Bainbridge is very worried as well. I eagerly await the fall in hopes that the reports on El Nino are a fact and not just a speculation. Meanwhile, I guess if everyone’s yards aren’t as lush and green as usual it will be okay. xo, Karen
On Wed, Jul 8, 2015 at 9:13 AM, Garden, Home & Party wrote:
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Ann said:
Karen,
Thank you so much for this post! I live in Torrance, California (just a little north of you) and have been looking for drought tolerant plants, too. Like you, I’m not a fan of desert landscape. Last year I thought I was buying Mexican Sage and got Mexican Heather instead. Not as pretty!
You mentioned you put in an order for plants….where do you do this? I would prefer this to going out and searching for plants myself.
Thanks again,
~Ann
Karen B. said:
Hi Ann, I have a nursery that will take my order and try to track down (if they don’t stock it) most plants. The name of the nursery is Village Nursery. They have 2 locations, both in Orange County. I have also heard that Lowe’s will attempt to obtain specific plants upon request. I’m taking it slow in the yard since I don’t want to buy new plants that, before they’re established, they expire from summer heat. We have been fortunate with this coolish weather. But I fear it could get really hot in August. Thanks for stopping by. Karen
On Wed, Jul 8, 2015 at 11:35 AM, Garden, Home & Party wrote:
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Chronica Domus said:
Hello Karen,
I can only imagine how much worse your area of California is to ours here in the north. My garden is dismal this year too, if that is any consolation. We’ve let the lawn at the front of our house go brown, much like the other homeowners in our neighborhood.
You have selected some lovely plants to feature in your post and yes, they do remind me of English-type flora. Growing exceptionally well in my garden this year (what’s left of it) are nasturtiums, in all colors. They seem to be drought tolerant so I encourage you to take a look at those for a little more color. You can get some lovely old-fashioned shades of peach or the palest of yellows, along with the more expected oranges and golden yellows. Take a look at the heritage varieties if you go that route.
Off to read the link you provide on Dave’s Garden, thank you.
Karen B. said:
CD, I think I read about the nasturtiums in pale shades from your lovely blog site. I’ve got them on my list the next time I go to Rogers Gardens. They have the best seed selection. I do love the vibrant colors and the leaves are always pretty. I have heard a few of the plants I listed have a tendency to try to take over the planting area…I will have to make sure I stay on top of things. Meanwhile, I’ve mulched nearly all of the beds. I hear that is very helpful, although I’m not a huge fan of the particular mulch I purchased. I am hopeful that it’s temporary and will assist with the evaporation (or lack thereof).
I know we’ll get through this drought, we have before, meanwhile I go out to the garden to lend moral support to the plants therein. 🙂 Thanks for your post about some of the plants you’ve started from seed with great success. xo, Karen
On Wed, Jul 8, 2015 at 2:47 PM, Garden, Home & Party wrote:
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D'Arcy H said:
Hi Karen! I, too, want to change out some of my plants, but we’re so hot and dry up here in Washington that I’m reluctant to plant anything now for fear it won’t withstand the shock. Years ago I created a Mediterranean garden out front in my sunny area and it did well for years. A severe winter trashed much of it … wish I had replaced the same plants now! Good luck with yours! (I love catmint, but I’m concerned my cats may love it to death, since it’s a type of nip!)
Karen B. said:
D’Arcy, I wondered if catmint was like catnip grasses. I’m with you, I’ve done my homework but won’t plant until the fall for now. Our summer has been unusually cool, but I know August can turn on the furnace and fry plants, especially when water is restricted. I hope the west coast gets some great rains this winter. Pray for rain, my new mantra. 🙂 xo, Karen
On Wed, Jul 8, 2015 at 5:51 PM, Garden, Home & Party wrote:
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Taylor Greenwalt said:
I love Cindy’s garden and the plants she recommended are beautiful..I’m going to have to pin these..
Karen B. said:
Julie, I agree, when Cindy posted, a few weeks back, how her garden was growing, I wanted to revamp my entire yard! xo, Karen
On Wed, Jul 8, 2015 at 9:22 PM, Garden, Home & Party wrote:
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Leslie Harris said:
Karen you and I are on the same wavelength when it comes to trying to adapt to the drought and at the same time not totally give up our love of the classic English gardens. Hmm….it’s a tough one. But I SO appreciate hearing about your selections…and I’m hoping the El Nino comes though for us this winter although being less than a mile from the ocean makes me a little nervous. I hear we’re in low lands so I want water but no flooding hahaha.
Also I want to thank you for your beautiful comment today. I really appreciate hearing pieces of your own life story. I can only imagine how you felt receiving that scary diagnosis during that time in your life. Thank goodness it all worked out… It’s amazing how wisdom comes to us over the years isn’t it? I regret to say I haven’t read a Norman Cousins book yet but I’ve always associated his name with optimism and positive thinking… and I’m curious now to read this book.
xo
Leslie
Karen B. said:
Leslie, I’ve become the avid reader of all articles weather related. Haha. I love the idea of El Nino coming in and making things right again. Fingers crossed. xo, Karen
On Thu, Jul 9, 2015 at 9:32 AM, Garden, Home & Party wrote:
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Linda Coble said:
Hi Karen,
As you know, I’ve been living in Washington state for 17 years and I never thought I’d need to be dealing with drought conditions. This year changed all that and now I find myself looking for drought resistant plants for my own yard. I’ve noticed a lot of Napeta Faassenii around the island and it sure is lovely. Thanks for the other suggestions in your blog. I’m going to see what I can track down at the local nurseries. It’s nice to know that there are lovely alternatives to water loving plants. I know that your garden will survive and look more beautiful than ever!
Karen B. said:
Linda, just about the time I was ready to pack up and move to Washington, you guys got mired in drought! Still, I think you’re a bit cooler overall over California! xo, Karen
Sent from my iPad
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Vicki said:
Hi Karen, How timely- I’m just back from the rainy Midwest, jealous of my sister’s beautiful hydrangeas. In other words, more than ready for some beautiful inspiration for my own yard. A lot of drought-friendly flowers are purple, so that’s what I’ve stuck with, so I’m pleased to see I could mix in something pink like Alstroemeria. Love an English garden– can’t wait to see how your choices work in your pretty yard.
Karen B. said:
Hi Vicki, I’m on the fence about planting at all this year, but I will most. Probably wait until the fall in case we have a really hot August. Then the optimist in me says, maybe, just maybe, we’ll have a much needed El Niño. xo, Karen
Sent from my iPad
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Gretchen said:
Karen, I loved your comment about going out into your garden to give moral support to your plants. Every time I prune my roses I tell them to “hang in there, El Niño is coming!” The plants you suggested are just what I need to fill in the bare spots. I might wait until the Fall to plant since I, too, am worried about a scorching August.
Karen B. said:
I feel certain with the masses holding positive thoughts that a El Niño may be in our future well all be okay. 😀 xo, Karen
Sent from my iPad
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Design Chic said:
I am so sorry about the drought you are experiencing. You have picked some beautiful plants if you are considering planting now. I love the yarrow and sage…so pretty! Fingers crossed for a good rain will come your way soon!
Karen B. said:
Fortunately, we have experienced an unusually cool-ish summer…so far. It’s challenging in the garden, but kind of fun discovering a few new beauties for the garden. 🙂 xo, Karen
On Mon, Jul 13, 2015 at 7:01 PM, Garden, Home & Party wrote:
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