Think a water-wise garden has to be dull or dry-looking? Think again. Plenty of drought-tolerant flowers offer vibrant color, striking form, and long bloom times—even in scorching conditions.
These 12 tough-yet-beautiful bloomers can take the heat while keeping your garden full of life, color, and pollinators all season long.
Blanket Flower (Gaillardia)
With fiery red, orange, and yellow blooms, blanket flower brings nonstop color to dry beds. It thrives in full sun, poor soil, and heat—perfect for a bold, easy-care garden.
Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia)
This airy perennial features silver foliage and lavender-blue flower spikes that sway in the breeze. It loves dry conditions and adds softness and height to garden borders.
Coneflower (Echinacea)
A pollinator favorite, coneflowers bloom for weeks in shades of pink, purple, white, and orange. They’re resilient, low-maintenance, and perfect for hot, sunny spots.
Coreopsis (Tickseed)
These cheerful, daisy-like flowers bloom in waves all summer long. Coreopsis handles drought with ease and brightens gardens with yellow, orange, or red hues.
Verbena
Spreading and spilling with clusters of vibrant blooms, verbena is a colorful ground cover that thrives in hot, dry conditions. Ideal for containers, borders, or rock gardens.
Salvia (Salvia nemorosa or greggii)
Salvia offers rich purple, blue, or red blooms that attract bees and hummingbirds. It blooms repeatedly with minimal water and adds vertical interest to beds.
California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica)
This low-maintenance wildflower lights up dry landscapes with golden-orange blooms. It self-sows easily and thrives in sandy or poor soil with little irrigation.
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
With flat-topped flower clusters and ferny foliage, yarrow is both pretty and practical. It resists drought, attracts pollinators, and holds its color even in heat.
Dusty Miller (Senecio cineraria)
While not grown for its flowers, Dusty Miller’s silvery foliage provides contrast and texture in dry gardens. It pairs beautifully with bolder blooms and requires minimal care.
Gazania
This low-growing daisy bursts open with bold, jewel-toned petals that close at night. It’s sun-loving, drought-tolerant, and ideal for dry borders or containers.
Rock Rose (Cistus spp.)
With papery blooms in pink, white, or lavender, rock rose brings Mediterranean charm to drought-prone areas. It thrives on neglect and blooms heavily in early summer.
Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa)
Bright orange blooms and deep taproots make this native plant a drought hero. It supports monarch butterflies and thrives in hot, dry garden beds.
A lack of rain doesn’t mean a lack of beauty. These drought-tolerant flowers bring the drama and charm—without the need for daily watering. Plant once, enjoy often, and let your garden shine through every dry spell.
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