Native Plants for Xeriscaping / Hard-to-grow Spots
Shallow soils · Gravelly sites · Rocky slopes · Sandy, dry ground
Dry, well-drained and nutrient-poor sites can be challenging places to garden. Many native plants are naturally adapted to these conditions and, once established, can help create beautiful, resilient plantings that support pollinators, birds and other wildlife.
Tips for planting in dry, challenging places
Start small
Focus on one area first, then expand as you learn what works.
Work with the landscape
Use existing rocks and gravel to enhance the design and reduce the need for irrigation.
Plan for seasonal interest
Combine species with different flowering times, heights and foliage textures.
Plant in groups
Try groups of three or more of the same species for a more natural, cohesive look.
Water while establishing
Even drought-tolerant native plants need regular watering during establishment, especially in prolonged dry spells.
Check drainage and light
Plants for dry sand may not thrive in compacted clay or shaded rock. Match each species to the conditions on your site.
A note about xeriscaping: Drought-tolerant does not mean no watering. Newly planted plants need time to develop roots. Soil depth, sun exposure and winter conditions still matter, even for species adapted to dry sites.
Native Shrubs for Xeriscaping
| Plant | Growing conditions & highlights |
|---|---|
| BuffaloberryShepherdia canadensis | Drought-tolerant shrub with silvery foliage for dry, rocky soils; red berries provide food for birds. |
| Common JuniperJuniperus communis | Evergreen shrub for dry, rocky, well-drained soils; berry-like cones provide winter food for birds. |
| Creeping JuniperJuniperus horizontalis | Low-growing, spreading evergreen for dry rocky sites; useful as a groundcover. |
| Fragrant SumacRhus aromatica | Low-growing drought-tolerant shrub with aromatic leaves and red fruit; suited to dry, well-drained soils. |
| Gray DogwoodCornus racemosa | Hardy shrub that tolerates relatively dry soils; white fruit attracts migrating birds. |
| LeadplantAmorpha canescens | Nitrogen-fixing shrub of dry, poor soils; purple flower spikes support pollinators. |
| New Jersey TeaCeanothus americanus | Compact shrub for dry, sandy soils with white flowers attractive to bees and butterflies. |
| NinebarkPhysocarpus opulifolius | Adaptable shrub that can tolerate drier, well-drained soils; peeling bark and white flowers. |
| SnowberrySymphoricarpos albus | Adaptable to dry, sandy sites; white berries add winter interest and wildlife food. |
| Sand CherryPrunus pumila | Well suited to dry, well-drained sandy soils; small cherries feed wildlife. |
| Staghorn SumacRhus typhina | Thrives in dry, nutrient-poor soils; red fruit clusters remain into winter for birds. |
| Shrubby CinquefoilDasiphora fruticosa | Tolerates poor, well-drained soils; long-lasting yellow flowers support pollinators. |
Native Wildflowers for Xeriscaping
| Plant | Growing conditions & highlights |
|---|---|
| Butterfly WeedAsclepias tuberosa | Orange blooms for dry, well-drained soils; attractive to bees, butterflies and other pollinators. |
| Black-eyed SusanRudbeckia hirta | Hardy short-lived perennial or biennial suited to drier soils; yellow summer blooms. |
| Pale CorydalisCorydalis sempervirens | Self-seeding biennial of dry, rocky or disturbed sites; delicate pink flowers. |
| Early GoldenrodSolidago juncea | Early-blooming goldenrod for dry, sandy soils; supports pollinators. |
| Eastern Prickly PearOpuntia humifusa | Cold-hardy native cactus with yellow flowers; suited to very dry, sandy, well-drained sites. |
| Evening PrimroseOenothera biennis | Biennial that tolerates dry soils; evening-opening yellow blooms visited by moths. |
| Foxglove BeardtonguePenstemon digitalis | White tubular flowers for pollinators; grows in well-drained soils, including some drier sites. |
| Hairy BeardtonguePenstemon hirsutus | Drought-tolerant perennial with pale purple flowers in early summer. |
| Heath AsterSymphyotrichum ericoides | Suited to dry, sandy soils; abundant small white flowers offer late-season nectar. |
| Hoary VervainVerbena stricta | Hardy plant for dry conditions; purple flower spikes support pollinators. |
| Lanceleaf CoreopsisCoreopsis lanceolata | Yellow flowers and tolerance of dry, sandy soils; may self-seed. |
| Pearly EverlastingAnaphalis margaritacea | Papery white flowers and silvery foliage; grows in dry, well-drained soils. |
| Prairie SmokeGeum triflorum | Prefers dry, well-drained sites; nodding pink flowers followed by feathery seed heads. |
| Purple ConeflowerEchinacea purpurea | Pink-purple flowers for pollinators; tolerates dry conditions in well-drained soil. |
| Rough Blazing StarLiatris aspera | Purple flower spikes; well suited to dry, well-drained conditions and valuable to pollinators. |
| Round-headed Bush CloverLespedeza capitata | Plant of dry, nutrient-poor sites with pale flowers and seedheads; supports pollinators. |
| Showy GoldenrodSolidago speciosa | Late-blooming yellow flowers support pollinators in dry, well-drained soil. |
| Showy Tick-trefoilDesmodium canadense | Pink-purple flowers support pollinators; can tolerate periods of dryness once established. |
| Silky AsterSymphyotrichum sericeum | Suited to dry, well-drained soils; purple flowers and silvery foliage. |
| Wild BergamotMonarda fistulosa | Lavender flowers attract pollinators; grows in dry to medium, well-drained soils. |
| Wild ColumbineAquilegia canadensis | Red-and-yellow flowers visited by hummingbirds; often grows in rocky, well-drained settings. |
| Wild LupineLupinus perennis | Needs dry, sandy, well-drained soils; caterpillar host for the endangered Karner Blue butterfly. |
Native Grasses for Xeriscaping
| Plant | Growing conditions & highlights |
|---|---|
| Big BluestemAndropogon gerardii | Tall, drought-tolerant prairie grass; provides cover and structure for wildlife. |
| Blue GramaBouteloua gracilis | Drought-tolerant grass for dry, well-drained soils with distinctive curved seedheads. |
| Canada Wild RyeElymus canadensis | Adaptable grass that can help stabilize sandy soils; arching seedheads. |
| Indian GrassSorghastrum nutans | Tall prairie grass that tolerates dry conditions; golden autumn seedheads. |
| June GrassKoeleria macrantha | Compact grass for dry, sandy soils with delicate seedheads. |
| Little BluestemSchizachyrium scoparium | Drought-tolerant bunchgrass for dry soils; blue-green summer foliage turns copper-gold in fall. |
| Prairie DropseedSporobolus heterolepis | Fine-textured grass for dry, well-drained soils; arching form and delicate seedheads. |
| Side-oats GramaBouteloua curtipendula | Dry-site prairie grass with distinctive one-sided seed spikes. |
| SwitchgrassPanicum virgatum | Upright grass adaptable to many soils, including dry, well-drained sites; provides bird cover. |
Need help choosing plants?
Natural Themes offers native plant consultations and advice for difficult planting sites. Email maya@naturalthemes.com to discuss your project.
This is a general site-selection guide, not a current stock list. Drought tolerance varies with site conditions and establishment; availability varies by season.