Drought-Tolerant Shrubs for Your Region

According to NASA Earth Observatory, one-third of the United States experienced some level of drought in 2020. Unfortunately, we know this was not a random anomaly but an increasing trend with more and more of the country experiencing extended dry spells.

Whether out of necessity or an interest in making more ecofriendly gardening decisions, many gardeners are seeking out water-wise and drought-tolerant plants. Gardeners in some regions have been dealing with drought for decades, while others are just learning about the many plants that don’t need a regular drenching. But even when you have that figured out, how do you know if a drought-tolerant plant will survive the sudden week of non-stop rain your region might experience? Or if a drought-tolerant plant will also survive the harsh winds or high humidity that is common in your region? To help answer some of these questions, we asked some regional plant experts to pick their favorite drought-tolerant shrubs for their region.

Below, you’ll find expert-selected, resilient shrubs that can easily become stars or backbones of your garden, while shrugging off anything your region’s climate throws their way.

Fine Gardening Recommended Products

Hunter Industries MP-1000-90 Hunter Nozzle

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- 8' to 15' radius with an adjustable arc of 90° to 210°, radius can be reduced by up to 25% to fit landscape needs
- Double-pop technology flushes the nozzle during start-up and shutdown to prevent clogging
- Wind-resistant, multi-directional streams provide even coverage

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XLUX Soil Moisture Meter

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- Large and clear dial, including ten scales, plug and read
- Simply insert the moisture meter into soil and you'll get the test result instantly
- Single probe, less hurts to the roots, doesn't dig up too much soil after test

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DeWalt Variable-Speed Cordless Reciprocating Saw with 6-Piece Saw Blade Set

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You can fit a variety of blades to this saw to cut fallen branches or prune larger limbs from trees in a pinch. It’s fast, tough, easy to use, and extremely versatile.
- 18.31 x 6.13 x 4 inches
- 1-1/8-inch stroke length
- Variable speed trigger with 0-3000 spm
- DW4856 Metal/Woodcutting Reciprocating Saw Blade Set, 6-Piece

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  Mid-Atlantic Regional Reports

  Drought-Tolerant Shrubs for the Mid-Atlantic

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  Northeast Regional Reports

  Drought-Tolerant Shrubs for the Northeast

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  Southeast Regional Reports

  Drought-Tolerant Shrubs for the South

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  Pacific Northwest Regional Reports

  Drought-Tolerant Shrubs for the Northwest

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  Southwest Regional Reports

  Drought-Tolerant Shrubs for California

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  Southwest Regional Reports

  Drought-Tolerant Shrubs for the Southern Plains

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  Midwest Regional Reports

  Drought-Tolerant Shrubs for the Midwest