9 Resilient Trees Capable of Surviving on Minimal Water Supply
Dry Spells Got You Stressed? Embrace These 5 Drought-Resistant Trees for a Stunning and Low-Maintenance Yard
Sick of wilting plants during dry spells? Look no further! These drought-resistant trees are perfect for keeping your landscape fabulous, even when the rain atmospheres. Check out these five fabulous trees recommended by landscape pros to beautify your yard, no matter the weather.
- Cameron DePaola, landscape designer and owner of Bloom and Riverside Landscaping Inc.
- Kristi Baldini of Windswept Gardensin Bangor, Maine
5 Kick-Butt Fruit Trees that Thrive in Arid Climates## Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba)
Looking for a tree that exudes chicness while surviving in compacted soil and dry conditions? The iconic Ginkgo, also known as the Maidenhair Tree, is your answer. "Ginkgos boast a unique leaf shape and stunning golden fall colors," says Cameron DePaola, "making them a top choice for street environments or urban areas." Plus, they're pest-resistant, low-maintenance, and crazy attractive!
- Zones: 3 to 9
- Size: 50 to 80 feet tall x 30 to 40 feet wide
- Care Requirements: Full Sun, well-draining soil rich in organic matter
Red Maple (Acer rubrum)
Add a touch of sophistication to your landscape with the vibrant red foliage of the Red Maple. This tree's array of colors—from yellow to red—will pop during fall, while providing ample shade. Plus, these seeds are edible, giving you a delicious snack when prep'd right!
Red Maple trees are:
- Zones: 3 to 10
- Size: 40 to 70 feet tall x 30 to 50 feet wide
- Care Requirements: Full to partial sun, well-draining, sandy, clay soil
Japanese Tree Lilac (Syringa reticulata)
Wishing for a scent that'll take your yoga session to another level? The Japanese Tree Lilac's fragrance is so mesmerizing, you'll be flying into warrior pose with a blissful heartbeat! These trees bloom white, purple, or pink flowers in spring, and they're easy to maintain. Just prune them to your desired size, and enjoy!
- Zones: 3 to 7
- Size: 20 to 30 feet tall x 15 to 25 feet wide
- Care Requirements: Full sun, well-draining soil rich in organic matter
Honey Locust (Gleditsia triacanthos var. inermis)
This tree's open canopy provides just the right amount of shade while keeping your garden airy and breezy. It's fast-growing, hardy, and adaptable to all sorts of growing conditions. And the best part? Once established, it handles poor soils and drought like a champ!
- Zones: 4 to 9
- Size:* 30 to 70 feet tall x 25 to 45 feet wide
- Care Requirements: Full sun, well-draining soil rich in organic matter
Bur Oak (Quercus macrocarpa)
An absolute stunner, the bur oak is a long-term solution for providing shade and support for local wildlife. Once established, this tree thrives in urban pollution and even compacted soils. Its large oval acorns and leathery dark green leaves add charm and sophistication to your yard.
- Zones: 3 to 8
- Size: 60 to 80 feet tall x 60 to 80 feet wide
- Care Requirements: Full sun, well-draining, loamy, sandy, clay soil, rich in organic matter
Ditch Daily Watering with These Sturdy Trees
Want more drought-resistant tree options to enhance your landscape? Check out these additional, stunning trees:
- Kentucky Coffeetree (Gymnocladus dioicus)
- Characteristics: Native to North America, adapts easily to moist soils and dry, rocky conditions. Its resilient leaves can grow up to 3 feet long and 2 feet wide, displaying bluish-green leaflets during the summer.
- Care Requirements: Full sun, well-draining, alkaline soil rich in organic matter
- Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana)
- Characteristics: Early fruiting, hot, dry conditions lover with an elegant weeping habit.
- Care Requirements: Full sun, well-draining soil rich in organic matter
- Crape Myrtle (Gymnocladus dioicus)
- Characteristics: Stunning summer blooms, beautiful fall foliage, exfoliating bark, and a vase-shaped crown.
- Care Requirements: Full sun, well-draining soil rich in organic matter
- Olive Tree (Olea europaea)
- Characteristics: Well-regarded for early fruiting, high-quality olives, and self-fertility. It features attractive gray-green foliage
- Care Requirements: Full sun, dry, well-draining soil
Olive trees make the perfect addition to small gardens and containers for limited spaces. These trees provide a mix of aesthetic appeal, shade, and low maintenance, and they make excellent companions for enhancing your landscape's curb appeal in water-conscious gardening. Pair them with these top five drought-resistant trees to ensure a thriving, maintenance-free yard this summer.
- If you're in search of trees that can withstand dry spells, consider the Kentucky Coffeetree. Native to North America, this tree adapts easily to both moist soils and dry, rocky conditions, making it a great addition to your drought-resistant garden.
- The Eastern Red Cedar flourishes in hot, dry conditions, offering an elegant weeping habit that can add a unique touch to your landscaping. Its early fruiting capability makes it a perfect choice for those looking to create a water-conscious garden.
- Crape Myrtle trees are another excellent choice for drought-resistant landscaping. Known for their stunning summer blooms, beautiful fall foliage, exfoliating bark, and vase-shaped crown, they can help enhance your garden's aesthetic appeal while remaining low maintenance.
- For a terrific option for small gardens or containers, consider the Olive Tree. It is well-regarded for its early fruiting, high-quality olives, and self-fertility. Its attractive gray-green foliage and adaptability to dry, well-draining soil make it a perfect companion for your water-conscious garden.
- To complete your low-maintenance, drought-resistant landscape, consider incorporating the scientifically-backed environmental science of climate-change-resistant plants into your lifestyle. Martha Stewart, in her accomplished realm of home-and-garden, recommends the Mediterranean-inspired nature of santolina, a compact foliage plant with silvery-grey leaves, suitable for riverside settings and other drought-prone areas. By combining these trees with the top five drought-resistant trees mentioned earlier, you can create a stunning, maintenance-free yard that thrives even in dry conditions.
- In sustainable home-and-garden practices, consider the implementation of the 'bc7e03612f9a8073ed362516bec10e09' technique, which focuses on creating displays in your garden that take climate change and the environment into account, while maintaining a chic and fabulous aesthetic.
