“Drought-tolerant,” as a category, can cover a range of ideas. On one hand, there are plants that have adapted to live on less water, and these thrive in situations in which the soil dries out thoroughly between deep-soaking rains (or hand-waterings, as the case may be). On the other hand, there are plants that, though they really only thrive and show their best with regular moisture, will survive periods of dryness, provided such periods are not of too great a duration. Choosing to grow more plants that truly have low water requirements is a proactive act of water conservation, as well as a reduction in the maintenance needed to have a pretty garden. Increasing the number of plants that can survive periods of drought, even though they might not flourish, can decrease the need (and expense) of replacing plants and become a sensible approach to the capriciousness of our changing climate.
    Even though a plant may be considered “drought-tolerant,” this really only applies if the plant is established (i.e., settled in its new home and sending out roots into the surrounding soil). Until then, watering is necessary unless there are regular rains and the ground stays moist. Usually, 4 to 6 weeks of hand-watering is enough to get most “drought-tolerant” plants set and going.
    Here are some links we hope you find useful:

• Mulching helps plants retain valuable moisture (CLICK HERE TO READ MORE)
  

• To dos and not-to-dos key to garden's survival (CLICK HERE TO READ MORE)

• Drought Monitor (CLICK HERE FOR EXTENSIVE INFORMATION)
  

Drought-tolerant Plants

Achillea (Yarrow)
Agapanthus (Anise Hyssop)
Agastache (Anise Hyssop)

Ajania (Gold & Silver)

Armeria (Thrift)
Artemisia

Arundo (Giant Variegated Reed)

Asarum (Wild Ginger) – dry shade

Asclepias tuberosa (Butterfly Weed)

Baptisia (False Indigo)

Bay Laurel

Bearded Iris

Bignonia (Crossvine)

Boston Ivy (Parthenocissus)

Bougainvillea

Buddleia (Butterfly Bush)