The Most Drought-Tolerant Plants for Zone 6

 After five years of living in Cental Oregon, where summertime temps routinely hit the 90’s & 100’s (for most of July & August): I’ve become very familiar with plants that enjoy the heat!  Every year, I have to rip out plants that simply don’t survive the harsh summer days: particularly my beloved, but oh-so-hard-to-grow hydrangeas.  The good news is though: I’ve replaced them with a different species of hydrangea that actually loves the heat!  Here, we’ll discover some of “The Most Drought-Tolerant Plants for Zone 6,” that are very hard to kill…even for first-time gardeners!

Panicle hydrangeas (like the Limelights shown here) have become a new favorite…as they tolerate heat, wind, snow, & almost any condition you can think of!

Though I’m writing this article specifically about my garden Zone 6 ~ the majority of plants listed here can be grown from Garden Zones 4-8; some in 3 & 9 too!  And because these plants are so hearty: you can buy most of these online (if your local nursery doesn’t offer them), & they should do FINE.

Drought-Tolerant Plants for Garden Zones 4-8

When looking for good drought-tolerant plants: perennials definitely win out over annuals.  Annuals have such shallow root systems that they need to be watered daily once the weather gets warm.  This is fortunately not the case with the heartiest of perennials….my favorites of which are listed below!

Russian Sage (the purple plants here) + panicle hydrangeas (the pretty white flowers) are two of my favorite drought-tolerant plants!

• Russian Sage: This is my absolute, #1 favorite drought-tolerant plant.  It looks almost exactly like lavender, but is SO much easier to grow, needs less water, & has a longer bloom ~ from June to November in Zone 6.  And how do I know that Russian Sage is so drought-tolerant?  Over 10 have self-bloomed in my yard (meaning I didn’t plant them ~ they grew from their own seed).  I NEVER water these plants ~ & they grow totally fine on their own.  Russian Sage is an extremely hearty plant; great for warm climates & warm gardens.  Hardy in Zones 4-9.

•  Karl Foerster Grass/Switch Grass (Panicum Virgatum)/Feather Reed Grass:  When looking for drought-tolerant plants: native grasses are a great place to start. I’ve grown many different kinds in my yard ~ but my favorites are by far Karl Foersters (Calamagrostis x acutiflora).  Landscapers love them, as they thrive in our dry climate.  They grow tall, look good all winter, & create a modest privacy barrier (as you can still see through them).  They do need water (mine are on the smallest drip irrigation & do great), but once established, require very little water, due to their extensive root system.  Hardy in Zones 3-9.
• Catmint:  Catmint is used by landscapers a LOT, because it grows so fast, & is one of the hardest plants to kill.  If you’re a novice gardener: catmint (also called Nepeta or Walker’s Low) is a great place to start, because it’s so easy to grow!  The biggest problem you’ll have with catmint is how BIG it gets: it spreads fast, so put it in a place where you don’t mind it spreading out.  It’s especially great for “hiding” things in your yard, such as utility boxes, etc.  Hardy in Zones 3-9.
•  Panicle Hydrangeas:  I’m happy to put a beautiful flower on this list!  Just this summer, I planted 4 panicle hydrangeas (2 Limelights & 2 Quick Fire varieties), during a 90-degree heat wave.  Normally, I would never do this: but my local nursery assured me that panicle hydrangeas (unlike big-leafs) LOVE the heat, & thrive in dry conditions.  It’s now 3 months later, & these guys look like they’ve been in the ground for years!  They’re lush, have countless blooms, & lots of green new foliage.  Panicle hydrangeas do require water ~ but all mine are on small drips, doing fine.  Hardy in Zones 3-9.
•  Blue Fescue/Blue Oat Grass:  In a more xeriscaped or modern garden, blue fescue can be a great choice.  While it doesn’t fit my “Cottage Garden” aesthetic, this is a striking flower when used in repetition ~ particularly in a desert garden.  Blue fescue needs water to get established (water deeply 1-2X/wk for the first 3 months).  But once established, it really only needs to be watered during the warmest summer months.  Hardy in Zones 4-8.
• Yarrow (Achillea):  Let’s get one more colorful flower on this list!  The amazing thing about yarrow is that it reuires very little water besides rainfall: it’s one of the heartiest perennial flowers.  It’s also tolerant of poor soil, self-seeds like crazy (which means you could end up with a meadow of it!), attracts pollinators, & comes in many different colors (pink, yellow, white, orange, etc.).  The reason yarrow is so drought-resistant is due to its extensive root system, & special leaves that hold onto water longer than the average flower.  Hardy in Zones 3-9.

Yarrow is a great choice if you’d like to add some COLOR to your heat-loving garden!

Great Drought-Tolerant Zone 6 Plants

Blue fescue is repeated through the landscape here, in front of this more traditional home. Photo: Southern Living Plant Collection.

Panicle hydrangeas (shown here in tree form) are BY FAR the most heat-tolerant hydrangeas! Photo: Gardener’s Path.

Most ornamental grasses require very little water, making them a great drought-tolerant choice.

All the purple plants shown here are catmint ~ a great drought-tolerant plant for Zones 3-8.

My Karl Foerster grasses (mixed with lilacs) create a natural privacy barrier between my master & dining patios.

Nearly all the purple plants shown here are Russian Sage: I’ve planted many of them, but at least 10 have self-seeded & are NEVER watered. They thrive in the heat!

The Most Drought-Tolerant Plants for Zone 6

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