Prolonged periods of drought do have an impact on native plants, but they tend to be better adapted to this climate and can tolerate its extremes. Planted in appropriate habitats, many natives will thrive in our gardens without much supplemental watering. However, even the most drought tolerant plants need to get their roots established before they can stand on their own. Here is a list of drought tolerant plants for Virginia:

PERENNIALS:

prickly pear cactus (Opuntia species)

stonecrop (Sedum ternatum & others)

columbine (Aquilegia canadensis)

bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis)

mayapple (Podophyllum peltatum)

atamasco lily (Zephyranthes atamasco)

dwarf crested iris (Iris cristata)

butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa)

blue star (Amsonia tabernaemontana)

ironweed (Vernonia species)

rattlesnake master (Eryngium yuccifolium)

black-eyed susan (Rudbeckia fulgida)

green coneflower (Rudbeckia laciniata)

blanket flower (Gaillardia species)

bird’s foot violet (Viola pedata)

goldenrod (Solidago species)

asters (Aster species)

blazing Star (Liatris graminifolia)

golden aster (Pityopsis/Chrysopsis species)

thoroughwort (Eupatorium species)

coreopsis (Coreopsis species)

beardtongue (Penstemon species

VINES:

coral honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens)

yellow jessamine (Gelsemium sempervirens)

trumpet creeper (Campsis radicans)

passion vine (Passiflora incarnata)

SHRUBS:

wax myrtle or bayberry (Myrica cerifera

sumac (Rhus species)

native viburnums (Viburnum species)

beautyberry (Callicarpa Americana)

grey dogwood (Cornus racemosa)

new jersey tea (Ceanothus americanus)

TREES:

hickories (Carya species)

oaks (Quercus species)

redbud (Cercis Canadensis)

red cedar (Juniperus virginiana)

pines (Pinus species)

hackberry (Celtis occidentalis)

winged elm (Ulmus alata)

 FERNS:

Christmas fern (Polystichum acrostichoides)