UGA Cooperative Extension

Bryan County Extension
Agriculture & Natural Resources

Look for the Label

Is this plant drought resistance or is it a native plant of the Coastal Georgia plains? This year when the spring bug hits you and you (neeeed)to get in the flower beds and plant some of those beautiful spring flowers, don't forget what happens in mid summer when the heat and drought hits. We forget to water one time or while we are on vacation our neighbor forgets and our bed of once beautiful flowers is just a mass of wilted or dead plants.

Instead of planting water hogs this year, try some of the more than two hundred plants that need precious little water in hot, dry conditions. Most of these plants are truly prolific bloomers. For example, Lantana ‘New Gold' loves 100-degree heat and only needs watering every two weeks to bloom solidly through the summer. We often don't use drought resistant wonders because we're more drawn to the many exciting new annuals that, unfortunately, are water hogs. As with all plants, the native plants have to be properly established in order to flourish.

Native plants can take the heat and they're adapted to drought. There are hundreds of native flowers and flowering bulbs to brighten your garden. Many of our local garden centers and nurseries carry the natives.

Native plants are the best way to responsibly landscape and garden with out the extra effort. Remember, be sure to check the label to see if the plant is drought tolerant.

This is a partial list of drought resistant plants.

Perennials for sun: (Miss Huff Lantana), (Swamp Sunflower),

(Black-eyed Susan), (Red Hot Poker).

Perennials for shade: (Lenten Rose) (Bearded Iris)

Annuals : (Lantana) (Cocks Comb) (Moss Rose)

Perennial native: (Lilies) (Queen Ann's Lace), (Clematis),

(Butterfly weed)

If you would like a complete list of annuals and perennials that are drought resistance and/or native to Georgia and a list of water hog plants to avoid, please call the Bryan County Extension office at 653-2231