While many drought-tolerant plants are also tolerant of poor-to-average soils, soils that are high in organic matter will help plants both establish themselves and survive periods of drought. Spending efforts to improve soil conditions will improve the gardens performance, but most drought tolerant perennials prefer soils that are well-drained.

Mulches are a prime gardening technique to reduce water evaporation. Not only will mulch assist the water problem, it adds organic matter to the soils and reduces weeds.

Plants to consider include -

Plant

Easy to Grow

Filtered sun/light shade

Showy flowers

Lawn Alternative

Some traffic

Full Sun

Tolerates deep shade

Good near ponds

Good for topiaries

Drought Tolerant

Deer resistant

Damp/wet soil tolerant

Salt Tolerant

AJUGA

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Asiatic Jasmine

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ASPIDISTRA elatior

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COTONEASTER

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DELOSPERMA c. Iceplant

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DIANTHUS

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ECHEVERIA r. 'Topsy Turvy'

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ECHINACEA

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EUONYMUS f. 'Coloratus'

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EUONYMUS f. 'Gracillis'

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EUONYMUS f. 'Kewensis'

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FICUS p. Creeping Fig

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FICUS p. 'Variegata' Variegated Creeping Fig

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GUARA l. 'Siskiyou Pink'

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HEDERA a. 'Algerian'

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HEDERA a. 'Varie. Algerian'

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HEDERA h. 'Ann Marie'

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HEDERA h. 'English'

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HEDERA h. 'Gold Child'

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HEDERA h. 'Ingelise'

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HEDERA h. 'Ivalace'

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HEDERA h. 'Needlepoint'

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HEDERA h. 'Teardrop'

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HELLEBORUS

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HEMEROCALLIS

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Hostas

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HYPERICUM calycinum

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IRIS

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LANTANA

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LEUCANTHEMUM shasta 'Becky'

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LIRIOPE muscari

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LIROPE spicata

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Ophiopogons (mondo)

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Phlox

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RUBUS c. 'Creeping Raspberry'

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RUDBECKIA

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SALVIA

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SCABIOSA

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Sedums (in general)

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SEMPERVIVUM Hens & Chicks

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THYMUS

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TRADESCANTIA p. 'Purple Heart'

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VERBENA

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VINCA major

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VINCA minor

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Plant

Easy to Grow

Filtered sun/light shade

Showy flowers

Lawn Alternative

Some traffic

Full Sun

Tolerates deep shade

Good near ponds

Good for topiaries

Drought Tolerant

Deer resistant

Damp/wet soil tolerant

Salt Tolerant