Low-Water Plants for a Bold, Easygoing Summer Garden

search for industrial plant that wo n’t wilt in the summertime heat ? You do n’t have to stick with the same old succulent or rough-cut drought - broad flower . This lean is compact with unique plants that love ironic soil and gay sky . Some are fragrant , others attract pollinator , and many pop the question sensational texture or color . These lesser - known options are perfect for gardeners who want something bold , unlike , and wanton to care for in dry conditions .

1. Wall Germander

Wall germander is a small , evergreen shrub that works well as a border or low hedge . It get tiny pink bloom in summer and pull bees . Its dark green leaves have a pleasant scent and protest pests . Often used in formal garden , it hold its shape nicely and thrives in dry , jolty soil with good drainage .

2. Butterfly Weed

Butterfly weed is a native wild flower that draws butterflies and other pollinator . Its brilliant orange blooms last through summer and stand out in any dry garden . It thrives in sandlike grime and has a deep taproot that help it survive drought . This plant is also a host for Danaus plexippus caterpillar .

3. Blue Grama Grass

Blue gramma grass pot is a native ornamental supergrass with ok green blades and distinctive source heads that look like tiny eyelashes . It prosper in full sun and dry soils . Perfect for small - maintenance lawns or meadow - mode gardens , it need small water and mop . This grass delay thick and adds gentle effort and grain to dry landscapes .

4. Catmint

Catmint has grey foliage and long - lasting spikes of lavender - blue blossom . It gives off a minty odor when touch and deters pests . It ’s idealistic for edging , appeal bees and butterflies while staying tidy . This flora tolerates neglect and thrives in full Lord’s Day with well - drained soil .

5. Paprika Yarrow

sweet pepper plant yarrow is a drought - hardy perennial with bright red flush bunch and yellow centers . It thrives in poor soil and full Sunday . The leaves are finely split and have a fern - like appearance . Great for pollinator , this plant also has medicinal etymon and can be used in dried flower transcription .

6. Red Orach

crimson orach stands out for its deep burgundy leaves , which are also edible . It ’s an heirloom plant life often used as a spinach fill-in . Growing up to five feet tall , it add tallness and people of color to dry out garden beds . It ego - germ easy and grows best in full Lord’s Day .

7. Lavender Cotton

Lavender cotton fiber is know for its silver foliage and button - like chickenhearted flush . Its substantial herbal olfactory property repels insect , and it ’s often trot into low-toned hedges . This works roll in the hay heat and rocky soil . It ’s useful in knot gardens and provides year - round grain and grade .

8. Curry Plant

The curry works has narrow silver leave that smell like curry but are n’t used in cooking . It forms pocket-size mound and bloom of youth with yellow flower in mid to late summertime . It thrives in coastal and ironic Mediterranean gardens and pairs well with lavender and sage .

9. Blazing Star

Blazing star , or Liatris , is a grandiloquent native perennial with spiky purple blossom that flower from top to bottom . It thrives in sunny , well - enfeeble soil and tolerates drought once established . Its erect shape impart interestingness to garden bed , and the blooms attract butterflies and bees throughout summer . It ’s excellent for wildflower gardens or natural landscapes .

10. Santa Barbara Daisy

Santa Barbara daisy is a sprawling plant with finespun , daisy - like flowers that exchange from white to knock as they age . It thrives in poor soil and fond shade , spread out over rocks or along wall . It ’s useful for erosion control and looks great spilling from containers .

11. Chaparral Sage

Chaparral salvia is a fragrant shrub with gray - unripe leaves and deep blue flower transfix . Native to dry regions , it attracts bees and hummingbird while tolerating drought and heat . It grow in mound forms and does well in aboriginal plant landscape painting .

12. Jerusalem Sage

Jerusalem sage uprise in a rounded shape with woolly gray parting and tall stem topped by yellow flower whorls . It handles juiceless summers and even mild hoar . This flora adds architectural interest group and is cervid - insubordinate . It fuse well with other silver - leafage plants .

13. California Buckwheat

California Polygonum fagopyrum is a native shrub that produces ashen or pink flower cluster , which turn rust - color over time . It ’s nifty for attracting bee and butterflies . Its mysterious roots make it ideal for erosion control condition on slopes . It prefers full sun and gravelly soil .

14. Sundrops

Sundrops create burnished scandalmongering blooms that open during the day . These perennials love ironic , sunny blot and ego - ejaculate well . They ’re low - upkeep , vivacious , and good at attracting pollinators . everlasting for sway gardens or sunny edge , they add sunniness to red-hot smirch in the K .

15. Thorncrest Agave

Thorncrest agave is a salient succulent with narrow-minded , sword - regulate dark green leaves edged with bright white leeway and sharp backbone . It shape a dramatic little potato that fits perfectly in modern , broken - water gardens . This century plant sleep together full sunlight and arenaceous or rocky territory . It seldom blooms but provides year - round social system and grain . Use it in ironic landscapes for a bold , architectural idiom .

16. Angelita Daisy

Angelita daisy has upbeat white-livered efflorescence on top of grassy mound . It ’s one of the few daisies that flower nearly class - round . aboriginal to the Southwest , it thrives in bumpy soil and vivid sun . It ’s perfect for parking strips , walkways , and modest outer space .

17. Pink Muhly Grass

Pink muhly locoweed is a stunning ornamental with fine green blades that irrupt into airy pinkish flower plumes in fall . It thrives in raging , wry condition and well - drain soil . This grass contribute cause and a soft glow to margin or mass plantings . It ’s low - sustenance , deer - resistant , and drouth - tolerant once plant . works in full sun to enjoy its full feathery display .

18. Globe Mallow

Earth mallow is a tough desert native with cup - mold flowers in nuance of orangish , pinkish , or lavender . It blooms profusely in springtime and again after summer rains . The leaves are blurry and silvery , helping the plant conserve moisture . Globe mallow flourish in full sun and sandy or gravelly soil . It ’s staring for low - urine landscape painting and attracts native bee and butterflies .

19. Blackfoot Daisy

Blackfoot daisy is a tough aboriginal perennial that produces white , yellow - centered blooms over mounding green foliage . It thrives in gravelly , poor territory and full sun . Despite its delicate look , it handles heat and drouth well . A great alternative for rock gardens and borders .

20. Texas Sage

Texas sage is a silver grey - leaved shrub that fit into purple flowers after pelting . It ’s commonly used in modest - maintenance hedges . The industrial plant tolerates heat , wind , and poor soil . It also jib cervid and rabbit , making it a best-loved in arid gardens .

21. Silver Mullein

Silver velvet plant is bonk for its tall bloom spikes and fuzzy ash gray rosette at the basis . It can farm in disquieted soils and is often ascertain along dry roadsides . The bright white-livered bloom draw in bees . It reseeds easily and adds perpendicular interest .

22. Apache Plume

Apache plume is a hardy bush with blanched flowers followed by feathery pink seed heads that look like plumes . Native to the Southwest , it thrives in jolting , dry soils and full sun . It grow up to six feet improbable and extensive , make it great for privacy screen or erosion ascendancy . Birds love the seeds , and the plant needs picayune water to thrive .

23. California Fuchsia

California fuchsia is a late - time of year bloomer with vivid crimson - orangeness flowers . It ’s one of the best aboriginal plant life for hummingbirds . It circulate by rhizomes and boom in rocky , dry area . It ’s perfect for slopes and wild flower borders .

24. Winecup

Winecup has loving cup - shape magenta flowers and trailing stems that broadcast easily . It prefers well - drained ground and tolerates both heat and stale . It ’s idealistic for ground cover , hanging baskets , or careen gardens . The peak open in the Dominicus and close at dark .

25. Damianita Daisy

Damianita daisy is a compact , evergreen bush cover in bright yellow prime during spring and after summer rain . aboriginal to Texas and Mexico , it thrive in rocky , miserable soil and full sunlight . It grows in low-down mounds and needs almost no water once establish . This plant is enceinte for edge , side , and hot floater where other flowers struggle to bloom .

Dry Doesn’t Mean Dull

With these uncommon but tough plants , your garden can handle summer heatwithout changeless watering . From silvern shrubs to fuzzy blossom and leafy edibles , each works adds something special . These choices bring in exciting color , texture , and even scent to your 1000 while saving time and piss . For a unequalled , eco - friendly landscape , start with these surprising picks that thrive in dry dirt .