Drought-Tolerant Shrubs for the South

According toNASA Earth Observatory , one - third of the United States experienced some level of drought in 2020 . Unfortunately , we love this was not a random anomalousness but an increasing trend with more and more of the res publica experiencing extend ironic spells .

If you ’ve found yourself outside harbor the hosepipe more often in recent years , it might be time to invest in more drought - patient of plant . Below , you ’ll incur four expert - selected , resilient shrub that can easily become superstar or backbones of your garden , while shrug off anything the clime of the South throws their way .

1. Mexican Buckeye

Name:Ungnadia speciosa

Zones:7–9

Size:10 to 30 foot tall and 10 to 20 feet wide

Conditions : Full sun to partial shade ; well - drain land

aboriginal reach : Southwestern United States , Mexico

The first time I saw Mexican buckeye , it was being grown as a multistemmed shrub in the xeric garden at the JC Raulston Arboretum in Raleigh , North Carolina , but here in East Texas I ’ve seen it used more often as a little tree . In early springtime its charming , rose - colored heyday flame receptive to welcome pollinators . In fall the pinnately compound foliage turns a lovely yellowish , and the three - suture seed capsules split open to release marble - sizing seeds . These miniskirt - buckeyes can be a trip up jeopardy , so site the plant aside from walkway . Make certain no one consumes the seeds , as they are toxic .

2. Firebush

Name:Hamelia patens

Zones:8b–10

Size:1 to 7 feet magniloquent and wide

Native ambit : Florida , Central America , South America

In June 21 in the Deep South , when most plants are frying , firebush is just getting started . This bush expand in our region ’s heating system and humidity , with little irrigation once found . tanned fleeceable foliage with red highlights rises to almost guide tallness , come out in whorls up and down the shank . The tops of the stems produce an florescence of long , tubular , red flowers , which are followed by fruit that ripens to melanise . Here in East Texas this plant is pop back by a concentrated wintertime , so we treat it as a cutback plant . It can also be grow as an annual . For hot color , try yellow vary Lime Sizzler ™ ( H. patens‘Grelmsiz ’ , Zones 9–11 ) .

3. ‘Shoal Creek’ Chaste Tree

Name:Vitex agnus-castus‘Shoal Creek’

Zones:6–9

Size:5 to 15 foot marvellous and 5 to 12 foot wide

Conditions : Full sun ; well - drained soil

Native range : Southern Europe , western Asia

‘ Shoal Creek ’ livens the summertime landscape painting with beautiful , sylphlike efflorescence of purple flowers . The palmately chemical compound leave of absence also add a nice grain , and they release a light , minty fragrance when brush . Chaste tree respond well to pruning , whether it is to rejuvenate the plant life , to cut out fifth wheel from a heavy cold walkover , or to keep it as a shorter , coppiced shrub . It is very drouth resistant once established . Horticulturists in Georgia noted that chaste Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree was one plant life that made it through their 2007 drought well . Take caution using this works near raw arena , as it can be a bit unwell .

4. Chinese Podocarpus

Name:Podocarpus macrophyllus

Zones:8–10

Size:10 to 15 human foot tall and across-the-board ; maximal 40 foot marvellous

Native range : Japan , China

I love the thicker , stretch leafage of Formosan podocarpus . It thrives in the heat of the South and tolerates dry trance . When mature in area cold than Zone 8 , however , plant can struggle with winter halt . At the JC Raulston Arboretum in Raleigh , North Carolina , it pull through well through the 2007 drouth . plant can be sheared as a hedge or topiary or allow to arise into an oval to columnar - shaped tree that can reach up to 40 foot tall over time . This coniferous tree ’s seeds are naked and delimit by a Bolshevik to blue aril , which adds a nice splash of color on female plant .

Jared Barnes , Ph.D. , is an associate professor of horticulture at Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches , Texas .

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drought tolerant shrubs for the south

Photo: Bill Johnson

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