Drought-Tolerant Trees and Shrubs
Deserts and other arid climates such as seaside locations expose trees and shrubs to drought, so choose species that are well-adapted to their conditions. Many trees and shrubs are options that go beyond cactus.
Trees and Shrubs for Desert Gardens and Arid Landscapes
Water conservation is worthy of everyone’s attention. Our water supplies are a precious resource. Well-chosen landscape plantings both save water and tolerate long periods of drought even as they beautify homes in dry regions.
You may have heard the term, xeriscape. It becomes popular again and again when regions experience long periods of drought with little natural precipitation.
Most associate the xeriscaping with yards of crushed rock, dry stream features, a few shrubs, and desert plants and trees. While such landscapes certainly feel at home for desert areas, many other regions have other arid landscape choices.
You’ll find here lists of trees and shrubs that prosper with hardly any extra irrigation, a full palette of plantings for your home’s arid landscape.
Best Trees for Arid Landscapes
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- Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba)
- Juniper (Juniperus sp.)
- Manzanita (Arctostaphylos manzanita)
- Mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa)
- Red Oak (Quercus rubra)
- Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis)
Best Shrubs and Small Trees for Arid Landscapes
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- Barberry (Berberis sp.)
- Bottlebrush (Callistemon sp.)
- Broom (Cytisus sp.)
- Bush Cinquefoil (Potentilla sp.)
- Manzanita (Arctostaphylos sp.)
- Oleander (Nerium sp.)
- Pyracantha (Pyracantha sp.)
- Rock Rose (Cistus sp.)
Best Cactus and Succulents for Arid Landscapes
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- Agave (Agave sp.)
- Apple Cactus (Cereus peruvianus)
- Barrel (Fishhook) Cactus (Ferocactus sp.)
- Barrel (Golden Ball) Cactus (Echinocactus grusonii)
- Chin Cactus (Gymnocalycium saglione)
- Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera bridgesii)
- Fox-tail Cactus (Coryphantha vivipara)
- Hedgehog Cactus (Echinocereus sp.)
- Old-man Cactus (Cephalocereus senilis)
- Organ-pipe Cactus (Stenocereus thurberi)
- Prickly-pear Cactus (Opuntia sp.)
- Saguaro Cactus (Carnegiea gigantea)
- Smoke Tree (Cotinus coggygria)
- Snowball Cactus (Mammillaria bocasana)
- Spurge (Euphorbia sp.)
- Texas sage (Leucophyllum frutescens)
- Yucca (Yucca filamentosa)