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

Morvat Heavy Duty Brass Y-Valve

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- Instantly create two tap outlets with this ultra-durable Y hose splitter. The dual-valve design features built-in shut-off valves.
- Fitted with US Standard NH 3/4" threads for use with most water source fittings
- Screw the 2 way splitter adapter by hand or wrench with the updated hexagonal top connection. The 360° rotatable swivel connection attaches to any water source.

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Black and Decker 22-inch Cordless Hedge Trimmer

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Quick and easy to put into operation and is less noisy and lighter in weight than gas-powered hedge trimmers.
- 38 x 7 x 7 inches
- 6.9 pounds
- 1 Lithium Ion battery required (included)

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DeWalt Variable-Speed Cordless Reciprocating Saw

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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

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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