Drought Tolerant

Family: Fagaceae
Zone:7 - 9
Natural Range: Southestern United States
Soil:  Average to wet
Light: Part shade
Height: 40'
Bloom Time:  NA
Attributes: Semi-evergreen.  Scaly gray trunk.  Narrow, elliptic to oblong leaves to 4" long.
Notes:  In the south it the leaves are reported to remain on the tree throughout the fall and some of the winter.  Deciduous further north.

Pot Size:  1 Gallon Pot

Family:  Fagaceae
Zone:  7 - 9
Natural Range:  California
Soil:  Average, well drained
Light:  Sun, part sun
Height:  60'
Bloom Time:  March to April
Attracts:  NA
Pest Resistance:  NA
Attributes:  Deciduous.  Irregular, spreading and arching branches.  Yellow and orange fall foliage.
Notes:  The late winter early spring, leafless silhouette is quite stunning.  In the wild Quercus lobata grows in rich deep soil in dense riparian forests and open foothill woodlands and savannas.  Elevations between 600 - 1,700m. 
 
Pot size:  Medium Band Pot

Family: Fagaceae
Zone:7 - 9
Natural Range: Portugal, Spain, Morocco
Soil:  Average
Light: Sun
Height: 30'
Bloom Time:  NA
Attributes: Semi-evergreen.  Fissured brownish-grey bark.  Yellow-orange new growth. turning grey-green leaves.
Notes: Tolerant of many soil types and is quite drought tolerant once established.

Pot Size:  1 Gallon Pot

Family: Fagaceae
Zone:3- 9
Natural Range:Northern and Central United States, Southeastern Canada
Soil:  Average humus rich, well drained
Light: Sun, part sun
Height: NA
Bloom Time:  April to May
Attributes: Deciduous.  Rounded crown.  Acorn cups are covered with a mossy-like scale near the rim.  Leathery, dark green leaves to 12" long.
Notes:  This selection is very slow and dwarf with broadly spreading, vase shape.

Pot Size:  1 Gallon Pot

Family: Fagaceae
Zone:3 - 9
Natural Range: United States
Soil:  Average
Light: Sun, part sun
Height: 30'
Bloom Time:  NA
Attributes: Deciduous.  Rather large and deeply cut lobed leaves.
Notes:  This form is a stand out in leaf shape.

Pot Size:  1 Gallon Pot

Family: Fagaceae
Zone:3- 9
Natural Range:Northern and Central United States, Southeastern Canada
Soil:  Average humus rich, well drained
Light: Sun, part sun
Height: 40'
Bloom Time:  April to May
Attributes: Deciduous.  Rounded crown.  Acorn cups are covered with a mossy-like scale near the rim.  Leathery, dark green leaves to 12" long.
Notes:  Long lived and quite stunning as a mature tree.

Pot Size:  Medium Band Pot

Family: Fagaceae
Zone: 4 - 9
Natural Range: Eastern United States
Soil:  Average, drought tolerant
Light: sun
Height: 50', smaller in cultivation.
Attracts:  NA
Pest Resistance:  NA
Attributes: Deciduous.  Rounded crown.  Dark brown to black and coarsely furrowed bark.  Good fall foliage.
Notes: Often found growing on dry, infertile rocky soil.  Slow growing.

Pot Size:  1 Gallon Pot

Family: Fagaceae
Zone:7 - 10
Natural Range: Southern Texas into Mexico into Guatemala
Soil:  Average, drought tolerant
Light: Sun
Height: 15' - 30'
Bloom Time:  NA
Attributes: Evergreen, six in long leaves that emerge pinkish.
Notes:  Exotic looking foliage

Pot Size:  1 Gallon Pot

Family: Fagaceae
Zone:5 - 10
Natural Range: Caucasus, Turkey
Soil:  Average
Light: Sun
Height: 20'
Bloom Time:  NA
Attributes: Semi-evergreen.  Usually shrub-like.  Broad elliptic, medium green leaves to 10" long.  Showy yellow midrib and leaf stalk.  Dentate teeth.Gray brown bark.
Notes:  Name comes from Greek name given to the southern shores of the Black Sea where they grow.  Not commonly available.

Pot Size:  Large Band Pot

Family: Fagaceae
Zone:5 - 9
Natural Range: NM
Soil:  Average
Light: Sun, part sun
Height: 15' - 20'
Bloom Time:  NA
Attributes: Deciduous.  Long slender leaves with pointed lobes.  Reddish orange fall foliage.
Notes:  Beautiful southwest native oak.  Selected by Allan Taylor near Folsom NM at 7,200' elevation.  Drought tolerant small oak.

Pot Size:  1 Gallon Pot

Family: Fagaceae
Zone:7 - 9
Natural Range: California
Soil:  Average, dry
Light: Sun
Height: 30'
Bloom Time:  NA
Attributes: Toothed, dark-green, glossy leaves.  Upright form.  Reddish new growth 
Notes: Rare oak native to Guadalupe Island off of Baja California.

Pot Size:  Large Band Pot

Family: Fagaceae
Zone:6 - 9
Natural Range: Southwest
Soil:  Average
Light: Sun
Height: 10' - 20'
Bloom Time:  Spring
Attributes: Deciduous. Prickly, holly-like gray green leaves. 
Notes:  Beautiful southwest native oak.

Pot Size:  1 Gallon Pot

Family: Fagaceae
Zone:6 - 9
Natural Range: South Western US
Soil:  Average
Light: Sun, part sun
Height: 10'
Bloom Time:  NA
Attributes: Deciduous. Small, blue tinged foliage.
Notes:  Beautiful southwest native oak.

Pot Size:  Large Band Pot

Family: Fagaceae
Zone:6 - 9
Natural Range: South Western US
Soil:  Average
Light: Sun, part sun
Height: 15' - 18'
Bloom Time:  NA
Attributes: Deciduous. Small, blue tinged foliage.  Fall foliage turns to red-mahogany late in the season.
Notes:  Beautiful southwest native oak.

Pot Size:  1 Gallon Pot

Family: Fagaceae
Zone:6 - 9
Natural Range: South Western US
Soil:  Average
Light: Sun, part sun
Height: 10'
Bloom Time:  NA
Attributes: Deciduous. Small, blue tinged foliage.
Notes:  Beautiful southwest native oak.

Pot Size:  Large Band Pot

Family: Fagaceae
Zone:6 - 9
Natural Range: South Western US
Soil:  Average
Light: Part sun
Height: 20'
Bloom Time:  NA
Attributes: Semi-evergreen.  Large blue-gray leaves without toothed margins.
Notes:  Beautiful southwest native oak.

Pot Size:  1 Gallon Pot

Family:  Fagaceae
Zone: 6 - 9
Natural Range:  Colorado
Soil:  Average, drought tolerant
Light: Sun
Height: NA
Bloom Time:  Spring
Attracts: NA
Pest Resistance: Deer
Attributes: Deciduous dentate gray foliage.
Notes:  Beautiful southwest native oak.

Pot Size:  1 Gallon Pot

Pot Size:  Large Band Pot

Pot Size: 1 Gallon Pot

Family:  Fagaceae
Zone: 6 - 9
Natural Range:  Southwest
Soil:  Average, drought tolerant
Light: Sun
Height: NA
Bloom Time:  Spring
Attracts: NA
Pest Resistance: Deer
Attributes: Deciduous gray foliage.
Notes:  Beautiful southwest native oak.

Pot Size:  1 Gallon Pot

Pot Size:  Large Band Pot

Family: Fagaceae
Zone:6 - 9
Natural Range: South Western US
Soil:  Average
Light: Part sun
Height: 20'
Bloom Time:  NA
Attributes: Semi-evergreen.  Large deeply lobed blue-gray leaves.  Red hued autumn color. 
Notes:  Beautiful southwest native oak.

Pot Size:  1 Gallon Pot

Family:Convallariaceae
Zone: 7 - 9
Natural Range: China
Soil:Average, humus rich
Light: Part shade, shade
Height: 4” 
Pest Resistance: Deer, Rabbit
Bloom Time: Fall
Attributes:Evergreen, upright, grass like foliage.  Scented reddish-magenta flower with paler center.
Notes:Selection made by Kelley and Sue of Far Reaches.  Shorter and wider leaves in comparison to the typical Reineckia carnea.  An easily grown and care free lily relative that can actually be quite drought tolerant once established.

Pot Size:  4" Band Pot

Family:Convallariaceae
Zone: 7 - 9
Natural Range: China
Soil:Average, humus rich
Light: Part shade, shade
Height: 15”
Pest Resistance: Deer, Rabbit
Bloom Time: Fall
Attributes:Evergreen, upright, grass like foliage.  Scented reddish-magenta flower with paler center.
Notes:Only one species is recognized but there are distinct clonal differences.  This form is a taller plant.  An easily grown and care free lily relative that can actually be quite drought tolerant once established.

Pot Size:  4" Band Pot

Family:  Ericaceae
Zone:  7 - 9
Natural Range:  PNW
Soil:  Average, humus rich well drained
Light:  Sun, part sun
Height:  5' - 25'
Bloom Time:  May to June
Attracts:  Bees
Pest Resistance:  NA
Attributes:  Evergreen.  Dark pink to pale pink flowers. 
Notes:  Rhododendron macrophyllum is wonderful to see in the wild when in bloom.  Can be found growing in full sun or in the shade of tall conifers.
 
Pot size:  2" Deep Round Pot

Family: Hypoxidaceae
Zone:7 - 9
Natural Range: South Africa
Soil:  Average, gritty well drained
Light: Sun
Height: 4"
Bloom Time:  Summer
Attributes: Deciduous bulb with fuzzy, grassy leaves appearing late spring, abundant deep pink flowers.
Notes:  Surprisingly hardy in our garden coming back with temps below 10 degrees.

Pot Size:  1 Gallon Pot

Family: Grossulariaceae
Zone: 6 - 9
Natural Range: PNW
Soil:  Average, humus rich
Light: Part shade, sun
Height: 3' - 6'
Attracts:  Hummingbirds
Attributes:  Deciduous, thorn less shrub with three lobed leaves.  Leaves have orange new growth and turn to green.  Flowers are in racemes with up to 15 tubular pink flowers in early spring.
Notes:  Flower color can vary from dark pink to light pink.  A great adaptable species for the garden

Pot Size:  Medium Band Pot, 1 Gallon Pot

Family: Grossulariaceae
Zone: 6 - 9
Natural Range: PNW
Soil:  Average, humus rich
Light: Part shade, sun
Height: 6'
Attracts:  Hummingbirds
Attributes:  Deciduous.  White flowers in late winter-early spring before the foliage emerges.
Notes:  Versatile and adaptable shrub.

Great Plant Picks

Pot Size:  Medium Band Pot

Family: Grossulariaceae
Zone: 6 - 9
Natural Range: PNW
Soil:  Average, humus rich
Light: Part shade, sun
Height: 3' - 6'
Attracts:  Hummingbirds
Attributes:  Deciduous, thorn less shrub with three lobed leaves.  Leaves have orange new growth and turn to green.  Flowers are in racemes with up to 15 tubular dark magenta pink flowers in early spring.
Notes:  This form has been selected for its fine dark flowers.  A great adaptable species for the garden

Pot Size:  1 Gallon Pot

Family: Grossulariaceae
Zone: 6 - 9
Natural Range: PNW
Soil:  Average, humus rich
Light: Part shade, sun
Height: 3' - 6'
Attracts:  Hummingbirds
Attributes:  Deciduous, thorn less shrub with three lobed leaves.  Racemes of tubular pink flowers in early spring.
Notes:  A great adaptable species for the garden

Pot Size:  1 Gallon Pot

Family: Grossulariaceae
Zone: 7 - 10
Natural Range: Santa Catalina Island, Baja California
Soil:  Average, drought tolerant
Light: Part shade, sun
Height: 1' - 3'
Attracts:  Birds
Attributes:  Evergreen, ground-cover-like shrub.  Red stems with reddish flowers, reddish fruit.  Thick, waxy leaves. 
Notes:  Fragrant, spicy foliage.

Pot Size:  Medium Band Pot

Family: Asparagaceae
Zone:6 - 10
Natural Range: Japan
Soil:  Average
Light: Part sun
Height: 12"
Bloom Time:  Spring
Attributes: Evergreen.  White, green and grey variegated foliage.  Bright red berries in fall.
Notes:Nice, vigorous form with bright foliage for the shady garden.

Pot Size:  1 Gallon Pot

Family: Asparagaceae
Zone:6 - 10
Natural Range: Japan
Soil:  Average
Light: Part sun
Height: 12" - 18"
Bloom Time:  Spring
Attributes: Evergreen.  Thick, upright green foliage.  Bright red berries in fall.
Notes:Nice, vigorous form for the shade garden or pot. 

Pot Size:  1 Gallon Pot

Family:  Papaveraceae
Zone:  7 - 11
Natural Range:  California
Soil:  Average, well drained
Light:  Sun
Height:  5'
Bloom Time:  June to August
Attracts:  Bees
Pest Resistance:  Deer
Attributes:  Evergreen, blue-green foliage.  Large papery withe flowers with a yellow pompom like pollen.
Notes:  Can be a bit tricky to get established and has delicate roots but once established is quite vigorous.  
 
Pot size:  1 Gallon Pot

Family:  Rosaceae
Zone: 2 - 9
Natural Range: Europe
Soil:  Moist, humus rich, well drained
Light: sun, part sun
Height: 8'
Attributes:  Deciduous.  Gray foliage with small, bright pink flowers.  Red hips in fall.
Notes:  A great Rose for foliage.

Pot Size:  4" Band Pot

Family:  Rosaceae
Zone: 4 - 8
Natural Range: China
Soil:  Moist, humus rich, well drained
Light: Part shade-sun
Height: 10' - 60'
Attributes:  Semi-evergreen, woody twining vine.  Huge trusses of white fragrant flowers.  Orange fruit in fall.
Notes:  Named after the former curator of the Washington Park Arboretum.  Rosa mulliganii grows best in humus rich soil and can be grown on a fence or allowed to more naturally climb up a large tree.
 
Pot Size: 1 Gallon Pot

Family:  Roseaceae
Zone: 7 - 10
Natural Range: China
Soil:  Average, humus rich
Light: Sun, part sun
Height:  2'
Bloom Time: June to July
Attracts: Bees
Pest Resistance:  NA
Attributes: Semi-evergreen.  Large solitary pink flowers with yellow center.  Low growing foliage that spreads with time.
Notes: Native to mountain forests, thickets, slopes and stream sides.

Pot Size:  4" Band Pot

Family: Rosaceae
Zone:6 - 9
Natural Range:   China
Soil:  Moist, humus rich, well drained
Light: Sun, part sun
Height: 8'
Bloom Time:  June to July
Attributes: Deciduous shrub.  Stunning, large bright red thorns to 2" across, fern like foliage, and small four petaled white flowers followed by small orange hips. 
Notes:  This Rose is grown mostly for its showy red thorns but the flowers are quite attractive too.  Prune in late winter- early spring to force more new growth.

Pot Size:  4" Band Pot

Family: Asparagaceae
Zone:  7 - 9
Natural Range: Italy, Austria, Slovakia, Turkey, Crimea
Soil:  Average, humus rich
Light:  Part shade
Height:  2' - 4'
Bloom Time:  January to March
Attracts:  NA
Pest Resistance:  Deer, Rabbit
Attributes:  Evergreen, Glossy green leaves.  Small, unusual creamy green and purple flowers formed in the center of the leaves.  When pollinated red fruit.
Notes:  Great evergreen shrub like perennial.

Pot Size: 1 Gallon Pot

Family:Lamiaceae
Zone: 5 - 9
Natural Range: Himalayas
Soil:Average, humus rich
Light: Sun, part shade
Height: 4'
Attracts:  Hummingbirds, Bees
Pest Resistance: Deer, Rabbit
Bloom Time: July to September
Attributes:Deciduous, scented foliage.  Tall stems with many yellow flowers.
Notes:Even in our mostly shady and wet garden Salvia campanulata has proven very adaptable and versatile. 

Pot Size:  Small Band Pot

Family: Buxaceae
Zone:  7 - 9
Natural Range: China
Soil:  Average, humus rich
Light:  Part shade, shade
Height:  2'
Bloom Time:  January to March
Attracts:  Humans
Pest Resistance:  Deer, Rabbit
Attributes:  Evergreen, Glossy green leaves.  Fragrant, white flowers.
Notes:  All Sacococca have an intoxicating sweet scent in winter.  Works well when planted near a pathway or front door.

Pot Size: Quart Pot

Family: Buxaceae
Zone:  7 - 9
Natural Range: China
Soil:  Average, humus rich
Light:  Part shade, shade
Height:  2'
Bloom Time:  January to March
Attracts:  Humans
Pest Resistance:  Deer, Rabbit
Attributes:  Evergreen, Glossy green leaves.  Fragrant, white flowers.
Notes:  All Sacococca have an intoxicating sweet scent in winter.  Works well when planted near a pathway or front door.

Pot Size: 1 Gallon Pot

Great Plant Picks

Family: Buxaceae
Zone:  7 - 10
Natural Range: China
Soil:  Average, humus rich
Light:  Part shade, shade
Height:  2' - 4'
Bloom Time:  January to March
Attracts:  Humans
Pest Resistance:  Deer, Rabbit
Attributes:  Evergreen, 3" long, rounded, glossy green leaves.  Fragrant, greenish white flowers.
Notes:  All Sacococca have an intoxicating sweet scent in winter.  Works well when planted near a pathway or front door.

Pot Size: Medium Band Pot

Family: Buxaceae
Zone:  7 - 9
Natural Range: China
Soil:  Average, humus rich
Light:  Part shade, shade
Height:  2' - 4'
Bloom Time:  January to March
Attracts:  Humans
Pest Resistance:  Deer, Rabbit
Attributes:  Evergreen, Glossy green leaves.  Fragrant, white flowers.  Scarlet fruit.
Notes:  All Sacococca have an intoxicating sweet scent in winter.  Works well when planted near a pathway or front door.

Pot Size: 1 Gallon Pot, 4" Band Pot

Great Plant Picks

Family:  Elaeagnaceae
Zone:  3 - 9
Natural Range:  PNW
Soil:  Average to dry
Light:  Sun, part sun
Height:  4' - 8'
Bloom Time:  March
Attracts:  Birds
Pest Resistance:  Deer
Attributes:  Deciduous. Silvery foliage.  Small yellow flowers with red berries in fall.
Notes:  Great clove scented flowers.
 
Pot size:  Medium Band Pot 12" - 18"

Family:  Elaeagnaceae
Zone:  2 - 9
Natural Range:  PNW
Soil:  Average to dry
Light:  Sun, part sun
Height:  4' - 8'
Bloom Time:  May to July
Attracts:  Birds
Pest Resistance:  Deer
Attributes:  Deciduous. Gray green leaves brown scales on the undersides of the leaves.  Small yellow flowers with red berries in fall.
Notes:  Like other Elaeagnus the silvery foliage is the main attraction.
 
Pot size:  Medium Band Pot 12" - 18"

Family:  Malvaceae
Zone:  6 - 9
Natural Range:  PNW
Soil:  Average, humus rich, drought tolerant
Light:  Sun, part shade
Height:  36"
Bloom Time:  May to July
Attracts:  Butterflies, Bees
Pest Resistance:  NA
Attributes:  Deciduous.  Rosettes of small glossy palmate leaves.  Vibrant pink flowers on tall spikes.
Notes:  Great for pollinators.
 
Pot size:  4" Pot

Family:  Fabaceae
Zone:  7(8) - 9
Natural Range:  New Zealand
Soil:  Average
Light:  Sun
Height:  2' -4'
Bloom Time: Summer
Attracts:  NA
Pest Resistance:  NA
Attributes:  Contorted, wiry stems with small evergreen pinnate leaves.  Yellow pea-like flowers.
Notes: Best when planted in a protected spot in cooler climates.

Pot size: Large Band Pot