Drought-tolerant plants
With the city of Bellingham asking residents to conserve water, those of us hoping to add yet more summer color to the garden might be feeling a bit dismayed. However, there are lots of great plants that are drought tolerant and still provide lots of interest.
1. Sedums. Commonly known as the stonecrops, these succulents conserve their water much the way cacti do. Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’ (mentioned in an earlier post) is a great choice for year-round interest and fall color.
Plant bluebeard as a backdrop shrub that adds height to a perennial bed.
2. Bluebeard (Caryopteris). This deciduous shrub (about 3 feet at maturity) has beautiful silvery foliage and lavender colored flowers. Its blooms, starting in late summer, attract lots of pollinators, particularly butterflies.
3. Lamb’s ear (Stachys). Use it as a drought-tolerant groundcover. It makes itself at home quite quickly and the charming foliage will create a fuzzy blanket in a sunny spot.
4. Potentilla. A member of the rose family, many of these little shrubs are native to Western Washington. They produce white, pink or yellow flowers and require little care.
One more note about conserving water: If you enrich your garden soil with mulch and/or do a top-dressing, the soil will retain more water and you won’t need to water as frequently. Your plants — and the city — will thank you!
Note to readers: Tomorrow is the final day for this gardening blog, so please get in any last questions by tomorrow evening. Thanks!
