I love gardening. But I like sitting on the porch admiring my garden a whole heck of a lot more, especially when the mercury starts to climb. As summer cranks up the heat and turns off the tap, there’s nothing that sounds less like fun than working under the scorching sun, weeding, deadheading and watering my ornamental beds.
Of course, for many of us, watering is no longer a problem thanks to water bans during periods of drought.
At that point, all you can do is sit back and admire the crunchy, brown plants where your lush, colorful flowers used to be. That is, unless you plant a water-wise flower bed, also known as the smartest ornamental gardening move you’ll ever make.
Why You Should Grow a Water-Wise Ornamental Bed
Not only are these types of ornamental flower beds better for the environment, but they also let you enjoy greenery and blossoms during the driest of summers. Even if, like me, you live somewhere that doesn’t regularly receive water bans or extended periods of drought, a water-wise flower bed is a great option if you’re all about the lazy gardening lifestyle. (Hello, friend! Care to join me for a lemonade?)
Water-wise flower beds need less work overall, not just when it comes to watering.
Conservation Without Compromising
Xeriscaping – landscaping that prioritizes water conservation – is growing in popularity, and in some areas with severe drought and wildfires, it’s a necessity. But often, the examples you see look like something from another planet, not a single flower in sight.
But when you plant a water-wise flower bed, you’re still choosing to put your local ecosystem, and water needs as a top priority without sacrificing flowers. Many of these plants tend to be native or well-adapted to local conditions. They’re usually great for the local pollinator population as well, attracting and feeding bees, butterflies, birds, and while still being kind to your water bill.
Lower Maintenance, Lower Stress
Once they’re established, drought-tolerant perennials are some of the easiest garden residents to care for. They don’t need constant attention – pruning, deadheading, fertilizing, etc. Most of these plants are relatively carefree and won’t wither and refuse to bloom if they don’t get tons of water to support them.
Resilient Beauty
Yes, roses are beautiful. But there’s something to be said for the rugged beauty of these sturdy plants that keep showing up season after season. When they start out-blooming the tender, more showy flowers with far less water, you begin to see just how beautiful they truly are. And they’re pretty easy to grow.
So, what are we planting?
The Top 8 Water-Wise Perennials to Plant
These are by no means the only plants that do well in a water-wise bed, but they’re some of your best choices. Speak to your local garden center or check with the online nursery you buy from for more water-wise options to add to your garden.
1. Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)
These prairie beauties aren’t just drought-tolerant; they’re pollinator magnets. Bees, butterflies, even goldfinches love them. They bloom in mid to late summer with daisy-like petals and prominent cone centers that stand tall in the heat.
Planting & Care:
- Full sun
- Well-draining soil
- Space 18-24 inches apart
- If you leave the flowers after they bloom, they provide seeds for birds in the winter as well as four-season interest.
2. Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia)
Tall, wispy, and covered in lavender-blue flowers that make your garden look like a watercolor painting. It thrives in full sun and poor soil. The bees love this plant. You can learn how to ensure it’s always decked out in blooms here.
Planting & Care:
- Full sun
- Dry, well-draining soil
- Space 2-3 feet apart
- Cut back in early spring to encourage bushy growth
3. Catmint (Nepeta spp.)
There’s a reason catmint is so popular among ornamental gardeners and landscape designers. This fragrant, mounding perennial has soft lavender-blue flowers that bloom for months. It’s low, lush, and bees go absolutely wild for it.
Planting & Care:
- Full sun to part shade
- Well-drained soil
- Space 18 inches apart
- Shear back after the first bloom to encourage reblooming
4. Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
Tough as nails and great for fresh flower cutting. Yarrow’s flat-topped flowers come in a range of sunset shades and bloom through summer. And any herbalist will tell you it’s an excellent flower to grow for medicinal purposes. Just be careful where you plant it; it spreads quite readily. Here are some great reasons to grow yarrow.
Planting & Care:
- Full sun
- Lean, well-drained soil
- Space 12-24 inches apart
- Cut back after flowering for another round
5. Blanket Flower (Gaillardia)
Bright, bold blooms in red, orange, and yellow that just keep coming. Blanket flowers thrive in the hottest summers and bloom from early summer until the first frost finally wipes them out.
Planting & Care:
- Full sun
- Sandy, well-drained soil
- Space 12-18 inches apart
- Deadhead to extend bloom season if you wish
6. Sedum (Hylotelephium ‘Autumn Joy’)
A must-have for any low-water garden. This succulent-leaved perennial blooms late in the season with pink to copper flowers that dry beautifully for winter interest. Its silvery-green foliage is a cool, refreshing color during summer heat waves.
Planting & Care:
- Full sun
- Poor to average soil
- Space 18 inches apart
- Leave flower heads standing through winter
7. Coreopsis (Coreopsis verticillata)
Sunny yellow (or pink or red…) daisy-like flowers cover these cheerful plants for most of the summer. They thrive in dry conditions and self-seed freely. These rustic beauties bring a touch of whimsy and charm to your water-wise garden.
Planting & Care:
- Full sun
- Well-drained soil
- Space 12-18 inches apart
- Deadhead to prolong blooming
8. Penstemon (Penstemon digitalis or other varieties)
Tall, stately spires of tubular flowers make for a showy addition. If you love hummingbirds, you’ll want to add penstemon to your garden. Ask your local garden center for a native variety, as these are often especially drought-tolerant.
Planting & Care:
- Full sun to part shade
- Dry to medium soil
- Space 12-24 inches apart
- Cut back after blooming to shape the plant
Here are a few extra tips to keep in mind when you’re designing your water-wise ornamental bed.
Design Tips
- Group by water needs: Keep your drought-tolerant plants together to avoid overwatering more sensitive ones.
- Mulch: A top layer of bark mulch, gravel, or wood chips helps retain moisture and gives the bed a polished look.
- Stagger bloom times: Select plants that flower at different points in the season so your bed is always in full bloom.
- Leave the hose: If you plan on watering, use soaker hoses or drip irrigation for minimal water loss — or better yet, go all out with water-wise plants in your ornamental landscape and let Mother Nature do her thing.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned gardening over the years, it’s that working with nature instead of against it makes for a happier garden (and a happier gardener). A water-wise flower bed means less fuss and more time enjoying your flowers. And it means planting a garden that can handle real life and real weather.
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