- 1. Black-Eyed Susan<\/a><\/li>
- 2. Butterflyweed<\/a><\/li>
- 3. Coral Bells<\/a><\/li>
- 4. Cheddar Pink<\/a><\/li>
- 5. English Lavender<\/a><\/li>
- 6. Feather Reed Grass<\/a><\/li>
- 7. Little Bluestem<\/a><\/li>
- 8. Purple Coneflower<\/a><\/li>
- 9. Russian Sage<\/a><\/li>
- 10. Stonecrop<\/a><\/li>
- 11. Switchgrass<\/a><\/li>
- 12. Thread-Leaf Tickseed<\/a><\/li>
- 13. Yarrow<\/a><\/li>
- FAQ<\/a><\/li><\/ul> \t\t\t<\/div> \t\t<\/div><\/div>
Key takeaways about drought-tolerant perennials:<\/strong><\/p>
- They need irrigation until established (the first year).<\/li>
- Some species require watering during extended droughts.<\/li>
- Mix species with early and late blooming seasons for continuous color.<\/li>
- It\u2019s better to underwater than overwater.<\/li>
- Limit fertilization, as it makes them more vulnerable to drought stress.<\/li> <\/ul>
1. Black-Eyed Susan <\/h2>
![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Black-Eyed-Susan-1.jpg?wsr\")
‘Indian Summer’
Photo Credit: F. D. Richards<\/a> \/ Flickr \/ CC BY-SA 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>Rudbeckia hirta<\/em><\/p>
- USDA zones:<\/strong> 3 to 9<\/li>
- Growing conditions: <\/strong>Full sun to partial shade and tolerates various soil types if well-drained<\/li>
- Size: <\/strong>2-4 feet tall and 1-2 feet wide<\/li>
- Blooming time<\/strong>: Mid-summer to fall<\/li> <\/ul>
Black eyed Susan produces bright yellow flowers with dark brown centers on top of long, sturdy stems. Low-water and easy to grow, these perennial flowers are perfect for beginners building a wildflower garden<\/a> and look amazing as cut flowers in bouquets.<\/p>
For a special look, try the \u2018Indian Summer\u2019 cultivar with its massive 9-inch-wide blooms or go for \u2018Cherokee Sunset’ with its gorgeous double or semi-double flowers. <\/p>
Note:<\/strong> Black-eyed Susan is a prolific seeder. Plant it where you don\u2019t mind them spreading or deadhead before seeds form.<\/p>
2. Butterflyweed<\/h2>
![\"close](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Asclepias_tuberosa.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Joshua Mayer<\/a> \/ Wikimedia Commons \/ CC BY-SA 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Asclepias tuberosa<\/em><\/p>
- USDA zones: <\/strong>3-9<\/li>
- Growing conditions: <\/strong>Full sun and well-drained sandy or rocky soil; tolerates dry, poor, and clay soils<\/li>
- Mature size:<\/strong> 1.5 to 3 feet tall and wide<\/li>
- Blooming time:<\/strong> Late spring through summer<\/li> <\/ul>
A long-lived perennial from the milkweed family, butterflyweed is native to much of North America. This drought-resistant plant has a large taproot that stores water and nutrients, keeping the plant going during prolonged dry spells. <\/p>
From late spring through summer, it produces bright orange flowers (some cultivars bloom yellow or red) that charm the eyes and support migrating monarch butterflies. It\u2019s an ideal choice for pollinator gardens<\/a> and properties aiming for a wildlife habitat certification<\/a>.<\/p>
3. Coral Bells<\/h2>
![\"Close-up](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Coral-Bells-1.jpg?wsr\")
Photo Credit: A. K\u00f6hler<\/a> \/ Wikimedia Commons \/ CC BY-SA 3.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Heuchera<\/em><\/p>
- USDA zones: <\/strong>4-9<\/li>
- Growing conditions:<\/strong> Full sun to part shade and rich, well-draining soil<\/li>
- Mature size: <\/strong>8-18 inches tall and 12-24 inches wide<\/li>
- Blooming time:<\/strong> Late spring to early summer<\/li> <\/ul>
Coral bells\u2019 best feature is the textured and beautifully colored foliage. These drought-tolerant perennials have striking heart-shaped leaves ranging in color from lime-green and peach to red and dark purple. <\/p>
These beauties handle heat and drought better if placed in partial shade, making them perfect plants for your shade garden<\/a> and planting near drought-tolerant trees<\/a>. They\u2019ll also need some watering during prolonged dry spells to keep their color.<\/p>
For warm-red and bright yellow-green, choose \u2018Caramel\u2019 or \u2018Citronelle\u2019, two of the most drought-tolerant cultivars.<\/p>
4. Cheddar Pink<\/h2>
![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Cheddar-Pink-1.jpg?wsr\")
Photo Credit: Ryan Somma<\/a> \/ Flickr \/ CC BY-SA 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Dianthus gratianopolitanus <\/em><\/p>
- USDA zones:<\/strong> 4-9<\/li>
- Growing conditions:<\/strong> Full sun and loose, well-draining soil; avoid heavy clay or overly rich soil<\/li>
- Mature size:<\/strong> 6 inches tall and 12 inches wide<\/li>
- Blooming time: <\/strong>Late spring to early summer<\/li> <\/ul>
This evergreen flowering perennial<\/a> handles brief dry periods well but will need supplemental watering during extended droughts. It produces small, carnation-like flowers in shades of pale pink to deep purple, creating a striking contrast against its silvery-green foliage. The \u2018Fireworks\u2019 cultivar is among the most drought-tolerant varieties. <\/p>
Note:<\/strong> This drought-tolerant flower is toxic to pets and horses.<\/p>
5. English Lavender<\/h2>
![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/English-Lavender-1.jpg?wsr\")
Photo Credit: Linda<\/a> \/ Flickr \/ CC BY 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Lavandula angustifolias<\/em><\/p>
- USDA zones:<\/strong> 5 to 10<\/li>
- Growing conditions: <\/strong>Full sun and dry, sandy or rocky, well-drained soil<\/li>
- Mature size: <\/strong>1-2 feet tall and wide<\/li>
- Blooming time:<\/strong> Late spring through summer<\/li> <\/ul>
Deep roots digging up to 2 feet down for water make this fragrant, drought-tolerant shrub<\/a> a perfect candidate for low-water gardens. It loves sandy slopes soaked in full sun and produces scented purple flowers that give summer yards a cozy, Mediterranean vibe. <\/p>
Do mosquitoes drive you crazy? Lavender can help. The strong essential oils it releases in warm summer evenings help keep blood-suckers at bay, making it a popular anti-mosquito plant<\/a>. <\/p>
\u2018Moonstead\u2019 English lavender and \u2018Phenomenal\u2019 lavandin (a mix between English and Portuguese lavender) are among the toughest cultivars. <\/p>
- Growing conditions: <\/strong>Full sun and dry, sandy or rocky, well-drained soil<\/li>
- Growing conditions:<\/strong> Full sun and loose, well-draining soil; avoid heavy clay or overly rich soil<\/li>
- Growing conditions:<\/strong> Full sun to part shade and rich, well-draining soil<\/li>
- Growing conditions: <\/strong>Full sun and well-drained sandy or rocky soil; tolerates dry, poor, and clay soils<\/li>
- Growing conditions: <\/strong>Full sun to partial shade and tolerates various soil types if well-drained<\/li>
- USDA zones:<\/strong> 3 to 9<\/li>
- 2. Butterflyweed<\/a><\/li>
![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Feather-Reed-Grass-1.jpg?wsr\")
![\"sunlight](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Little-Bluestem.jpeg?wsr\")
![\"Purple](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/512px-Echinacea_purpurea_Feeling_Pink_02-1.jpg\")
![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Russian_sage_by_RO_II.jpg?wsr\")
![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Stonecrop-1.jpg?wsr\")
![\"closeup](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Switchgrass.jpg\")