Drought-Tolerant Shrubs for the Mid-Atlantic - FineGardening

Abstract

Summer Wine® Ninebark Name: Physocarpus opulifolius 'Seward' Zones: 3-7 Size: 5 to 8 feet tall and wide Conditions: Full sun; average to dry, well-drained soil Native range: Eastern North America Although best known for its sumptuous, deeply cut merlot foliage, this ninebark has many other outstanding attributes. Bushy St. John's Wort Name: Hypericum densiflorum Zones: 3-8 Size: 3 to 5 feet tall and wide Conditions: Full sun to partial shade; dry to moist soil Native range: Eastern United States This lesser-known, adaptable shrub is a true four-season delight. Although it typically lives along stream beds in the wild, it is very drought tolerant and can take a range of soil situations, from clay to loam to sand. 'Low Glow' Japanese Red Pine Name: Pinus densiflora 'Low Glow' Zones: 3-7 Size: 3 to 4 feet tall and 3 to 6 feet wide Conditions: Full sun; average to dry, well-drained soil Native range: Eastern Asia On a particularly dreary winter afternoon stroll, this conifer caught my eye. 'Low Glow' grows slowly at a rate of 3 to 5 inches per year, reaching its mature size over a 10-year span. What's not to love? 4 'Gibraltar' Bush Clover Name: Lespedeza thunbergii* 'Gibraltar' Zones: 4-9 Size: 4 to 6 feet tall and wide Conditions: Full sun to partial shade; dry to average, well-drained soil Native range: Eastern China, Japan This graceful, deciduous shrub does well in any garden with well-drained soil. Pendulous flowers in lavender to rosy purple bloom from late summer to early fall, which is often an otherwise quiet time in most gardens.