Looking for beautiful perennials that don’t demand constant watering? I’ve found some real gems that keep their colors popping well beyond spring without turning into a full-time job.
These low-water wonders are perfect for anyone who wants a lively garden but not the hassle of daily watering. They’ve saved my garden during dry spells and still managed to bloom like pros.
Let’s check out 18 stunning varieties and the care tips that keep them thriving with less water.
1. Lavender
Nothing beats the calming scent and beautiful purple spikes of this Mediterranean native. Lavender thrives in poor soil with excellent drainage and full sun exposure.
Give it space to breathe by allowing air circulation between plants. A light pruning after flowering helps maintain its attractive shape. Did you know lavender oil has been used for centuries as a natural remedy for headaches and insomnia?
2. Russian Sage
Silvery stems support airy plumes of tiny lavender-blue flowers that dance in the slightest breeze. Once established, this perennial barely needs watering, thriving in the hottest, driest conditions.
Plant it where you can appreciate its movement and structure. Fall pruning isn’t necessary – the silvery stalks provide winter interest. Russian sage isn’t actually sage at all, but belongs to the mint family!
3. Yarrow
Flat-topped flower clusters in shades from white to deep red crown this versatile plant from June through September. The feathery, aromatic foliage stays attractive even when not in bloom.
Cutting spent flowers encourages more blooms throughout the season. Yarrow spreads gradually but isn’t aggressive. Ancient warriors once used yarrow leaves to stop bleeding on the battlefield, earning it the nickname “soldier’s woundwort.”
4. Coneflower
Cheerful daisy-like blooms with distinctive raised centers make coneflowers garden standouts from midsummer through fall. Their strong stems hold up well to summer storms and rarely need staking.
Leave seed heads intact after flowering to attract goldfinches and other birds. Coneflowers self-seed readily, creating natural drifts over time. Native to American prairies, these plants have powerful immune-boosting properties used in herbal medicine.
5. Sedum
Succulent leaves store water efficiently, making sedum practically indestructible even in the driest gardens. The flat flower clusters transform from pale green to pink and finally rusty red as seasons progress.
Tall varieties may flop in rich soil, so keep fertilizer minimal. Butterflies absolutely adore sedum flowers. Often called “Autumn Joy,” this plant’s dried flower heads add winter interest when left standing in the garden.
6. Salvia
Spikes of intensely colored tubular flowers attract hummingbirds and butterflies from early summer through fall. The aromatic gray-green leaves deter deer and rabbits, a bonus for rural gardeners.
Trimming spent flower stalks by one-third prompts another flush of blooms. Most salvias prefer lean soil and actually bloom better with some neglect. The genus includes culinary sage as well as hundreds of ornamental varieties in nearly every color.
7. Blanket Flower
Fiery red and yellow daisy-like blooms blanket these cheerful plants from early summer until frost. Their hairy stems and leaves help them conserve water by reducing evaporation.
Regular deadheading keeps the flowers coming all season long. Short-lived perennials, they often self-seed to keep the display going year after year. Native Americans used blanket flower to treat insect bites and skin irritations.
8. Bearded Iris
Elegant blooms in every color of the rainbow sit atop sword-like foliage that remains attractive long after flowering ends. The thick rhizomes actually prefer to bake in the sun with their tops exposed.
Division every 3-4 years keeps them blooming vigorously. Bearded irises need excellent drainage to prevent rot. The “beard” refers to the fuzzy caterpillar-like structure on the falls (lower petals) that guides pollinators to the nectar.
9. Catmint
Clouds of lavender-blue flowers hover above aromatic gray-green foliage from late spring through summer. A quick shearing after the first flush of bloom brings a second show of flowers.
The minty scent deters many garden pests while attracting beneficial insects. Unlike its cousin catnip, most catmint varieties won’t drive your feline friends crazy. Nepeta ‘Walker’s Low’ won Perennial Plant of the Year in 2007 for its outstanding garden performance.
10. Agastache
Spikes of tubular flowers in jewel tones buzz with activity as hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees feast on the nectar. The anise-scented foliage releases its fragrance with the slightest touch.
Excellent drainage is crucial for winter survival in colder regions. Avoid cutting back until spring to protect the crown. Also called hyssop or hummingbird mint, this North American native was used by indigenous peoples to make medicinal tea for colds.
11. Gaura
Dancing white or pink butterfly-like blooms flutter on wiry stems from early summer until frost. The arching habit adds movement to garden borders and softens hard edges.
Cut back by half in midsummer if plants become leggy. Deep taproots make established plants remarkably drought-tolerant. Also called whirling butterflies, gaura’s delicate flowers seem to float above neighboring plants, creating an ethereal effect in evening light.
12. Penstemon
Bell-shaped flowers in vibrant colors line tall stems, creating vertical interest from early summer through fall. The glossy, narrow leaves remain attractive throughout the growing season.
Avoid rich soil and excessive water, which can lead to floppy growth. Leaving the basal foliage intact when cutting back helps winter survival. Native to North American deserts and mountains, there are over 250 species of penstemon adapted to different growing conditions.
13. Verbena
Flat clusters of tiny flowers in vibrant purples, pinks, or white cover these spreading plants from summer until frost. The rough, deeply cut foliage helps reduce water loss even during heat waves.
Good air circulation prevents powdery mildew in humid climates. Verbena bonariensis, with its tall, see-through habit, weaves beautifully among other perennials. Butterflies find verbena irresistible, making it a must-have for pollinator gardens.
14. Evening Primrose
Sunny yellow cup-shaped flowers open dramatically at dusk, often unfurling before your eyes in a matter of minutes. The fragrant blooms attract night-flying moths that pollinate them.
Some varieties spread vigorously, so choose your planting site wisely. The entire plant is edible and rich in gamma-linolenic acid. Native Americans used evening primrose roots, leaves and seedpods for food and to treat bruises and minor wounds.
15. Red Hot Poker
Torch-like flower spikes in fiery orange, yellow and red rise dramatically above grassy foliage. Hummingbirds can’t resist the tubular flowers filled with sweet nectar.
The spiky, architectural form makes a bold statement in perennial borders. Leave the strappy foliage intact through winter to protect the crown. Also called torch lily, this South African native belongs to the genus Kniphofia, named after an 18th-century German botanist.
16. Coreopsis
Masses of daisy-like flowers in gold, yellow, or bicolors cover these carefree plants from early summer through fall. The fine-textured foliage creates an attractive backdrop even when not in bloom.
Shearing plants back by one-third after the first heavy flowering encourages a second flush. Most varieties self-seed readily but aren’t invasive. The name coreopsis comes from Greek words meaning “bug-like,” referring to the seed’s resemblance to ticks or beetles.
17. Dianthus
Spicy-scented flowers with distinctive fringed petals appear above neat mounds of blue-gray foliage. The fragrance intensifies on warm days, perfuming the garden with a clove-like scent.
Excellent drainage prevents winter rot in colder climates. Deadheading extends the blooming season considerably. Often called pinks (not for their color but for the pinked or zigzag edge of the petals), dianthus has been cultivated for over 2,000 years.
18. Yucca
Dramatic spikes of creamy white bell-shaped flowers tower above rosettes of sword-like leaves in midsummer. The architectural form provides year-round structure and winter interest in the garden.
Once established, yuccas thrive on neglect and can survive extreme drought. A single plant makes a stunning focal point. Native Americans used yucca extensively – the roots for soap, the leaves for fiber, and the flowers and fruits for food.