It makes sense, as we have an increasing number of people depending on a possibly decreasing water supply, to plant our gardens in such a way that we still have beauty to enjoy, but with less water needed to support them.
Here are some suggestions of plants that can come pretty close to surviving our mostly-rain-less summers, once their root systems have become established over the first year or two after planting. Remember that almost no plants can survive without extra water in summer’s heat until they have had time to grow a root system in their new homes. This is not an all-inclusive list, just my favorites.
Trees
Madrona Arbutus menziesii
Eucalyptus there are several hardy kinds
Golden Rain Tree Koelrutaria paniculata
Olive Olea europaea some kinds hardy enough for Oregon
Pines, most kinds
Oaks, many kinds, especially our native Quercus garryana
Japanese Pagoda Tree Sophora japonica
Oregon Myrtlewood/ California Bay Laurel Umbellularia californica
Shrubs
Ceanothus, many kinds
Rock Rose Cistus, several species
Smoke Tree Cotinus coggygria
Cotoneaster, many kinds
Silktassel Garrya elliptica
Oregon Grape Mahonia aquifolium, Mahonia nervosa
Heavenly Bamboo Nandina domestica
Osmanthus, several kinds
Coralberry, Snowberry Symphoricarpos orbiculatus, S. alba
Junipers, many kinds
Perennials Forgive me, I’m going to switch to Latin name first now, since that’s how all my information is organized
Achillea Yarrow, many species and varieties
Agastache Anise Hyssop
Ajuga Bugleweed
Alchemilla Lady’s Mantle
Armeria Sea Thrift
Artemisia Wormwood, and culinary Tarragon
Asclepias Butterfly Weed, Butterfly Milkweed
Caryopteris Bluebeard
Centranthus ruber Jupiter’s Beard
Cerastium tomentosum Snow-in-Summer
Convolvulus cneorum Bush Morning Glory
Coreopsis no other common name that I know
Cyclamen hederifolium, C. coum Hardy Cyclamen
Delosperma Ice Plant
Echinacea Coneflower – careful here, some are less tolerant, some more
Echinops Globe Thistle
Eryngium Sea Holly
Euphorbia Spurge
Gaillardia Blanket Flower
Gaura no other common name that I know
Helianthemum Sunrose
Hemerocallis Daylily
Iris all kinds
Iberis Candytuft
Herbs: Chives, Lavender, Marjoram, Oregano, Rosemary, Sage, Thyme
Kniphofia Red Hot Poker Plant
Liatris Gayfeather
Liriope Lilyturf
Nepeta Catmint
Oenothera Sundrops
Paeonia Peony
Perovskia Russian Sage
Phlox subulata Creeping Phlox
Rudbeckia fulgida Black-eyed Susan
Salvia Sages of many kinds, including culinary sage
Sedums, many kinds both tall and creeping
Stachys Lamb’s Ears
Stokesia Stokes Aster
Symphyotrichum Aster
Sisyrinchium bellum Blue-Eyed Grass
Verbascum Mullein
Yucca
