A Starter Kit for the Best Perennials for Your Garden (Drought Resistant)

I have had the unfortunate experience of having the driest and sandiest soil known to man. My husband got me a soil testing kit and it resulted in saying it had almost no Nitrogen in our soil. I struggled the first three years trying to grow my garden, not understanding how important the soil was. Once my husband and I started adding manure to our soil, chopped leaves from the fall, compost, and mulch to help with moisture retention, we finally started to see success. However, from the beginning there were several plants that seemed to still survive even with my extreme lack of knowledge and the neglect to our soil.

1. Sedum: This succulent perennial comes in a variety of pinks, reds, whites, and even green. It starts to come up in late spring but doesn't usually bloom until August (Zone 6b). It is super easy to propagate. in the spring i just cut off the tops and put those in the soil. The cut pieces will grow new buds and the pieces that i put in the soil will typically take root. Bees love this plant, pests don't bother it, and i have had no issues with disease. I think some complain that it can grow a little too tall and then topple over in the summer. to avoid that, you can cut the tops off in may. this is known as the "Chelsea Chop". It delays the bloom slightly but it allows for the base to be a bit sturdier.

   

2. Catmint: This perennial is quite drought resistant, blooms all season long, and the bees love it. It grows in a mound shape and needs full sun. there are lots of different varieties that come in different sizes as well as in purple or white. I have both colors in my garden. This is another plant that can benefit from the "chelsea chop" in May. I dont cut it back heavily in May but i do cut it back some to keep it from toppling over in the summer. Cutting back encourages new growth for more flowers later in the season. Catmint is generally deer and pest resistant.

   

3. Yarrow: a delightfully colorful flower that blooms in May or June. This is a quick grower and is easy to propagate. It comes in a varieties of pinks as well as white and yellow. While bunnies do seem to like to eat it, it usually is a fast enough grower that they can have their fill and you can still get you blooms.

   

4. Artemisia: the variety powis castle has an amazing silver foliage and wonderful smell. I have had no issues growing this. It thrives in full sun and does fine with little to no attention. If anything you may need to trim it back because of how well it does. It stays low to the ground though. It's usually deer resistant and I haven't had any issues losing this to pests or disease.

   

5. Guara: if ethereal was a flower it would be Guara. I feel like not enough gardeners use Guara. It has whispy white flowers that need little to no care and only gets better each year it grows. The plant grows about 2-3 ft high and 2 ft wide.

   

6. Anise Hyssop: one of the easiest perennials to grow, anise hyssop is a perfect addition to any garden. For some it can get up to 4 ft tall depending on the variety and will bloom June -august. As the flowers go over you can cut down to the closest leaf and see new flowers from. It's deer and rabbit resident and the butterflies love it. I believe it comes in purple, white, and even orange.

   

7. Coreopsis: also known as ticksead, this low growing perennial has been a breeze to grow in my garden. Just plant it and forget it. They love full sun, grow about 2 ft high and come in reds, yellows, and oranges.

   

8. Goldenrod: the flower of fall. Goldenrod can be a beautiful addition to any prairie style garden or for someone looking for autumnal blooms. This plant grows 3-4 ft high depending on the variety. Birds and insects love this flower.