A List of Low-Maintenance Drought-Tolerant Shrubs for Your Landscape

California is just one of the regions in the US beset by chronic drought. So it's logical for homeowners and landscape installation companies to choose drought-tolerant plantsDrought-tolerant plants are species that require minimal water to thrive, making them ideal for xeri... that save water and provide a colorful outdoor space that is peaceful and relaxing.

The trend towards flowering species that survive in hot climates and the extremely high temperatures of a summer heat wave is called xeriscapingXeriscaping is a landscaping method that involves designing and maintaining gardens and landscapes w.... Xeriscaping entails creating a garden with flowers, shrubs, bushes, herbs, and trees that can reduce water consumption by 60% when compared to traditional landscape designs.

It's important to note that xeriscaping's aim is to reduce water consumption. It includes plant varieties that save the most water. The gardens needn't be 100% indigenous. 

What are the Best Shrubs for Xeriscaping In California?

There are a variety of drought-tolerant shrubsDrought-tolerant shrubs are woody plants that can survive with minimal water, making them ideal for ... that thrive in California's dry climate. Their blooms provide color, texture, and focal points. 

Top 10 Shrubs for Drought Tolerant Gardens in California

1. Lantana

Lantana can be used for two purposes, as a colorful shrub or groundcover. They come in several colors, including yellows, reds, oranges, pinks, and whites. Their appearance differs according to the flower clusters, which include pink and white, pink and yellow, and orange and yellow.

Lantana shrubs need full sun exposure to thrive.

2. Little John Bottlebrush

Little John Bottlebrush shrubs are evergreen with bright red flowers. They can grow to be quite dense and may need regular pruningPruning is the horticultural practice of selectively removing certain parts of a plant, such as bran... to stay tidy.

They are dwarf shrubsDwarf shrubs are small, compact shrubs that are ideal for use in small gardens, borders, or as groun... that do as well in pots as the verge between your wall and the pavement. Hummingbirds and butterflies love little John bottlebrush flowers, so you might want to plant them in your yard so you can enjoy the wildlife.

3. Cloud Sage

If you're looking for low-maintenance shrubs, then cloud sage is perfect. It's an evergreen shrub that bursts into a cloud of purple flowers in spring. There are two types, the one with green foliage and dark purple flowers, and silver cloud sage, which has silver foliage and light purple flowers.

4. Cleveland Sage                               

Cleveland sage is considered a subshrub or dwarf bush. It's an evergreen plant that produces lavender-colored flowers. It thrives in full sun and grows as easily in pots as in the yard, and hummingbirds love it. 

5. Coyote Brush

Some landscape installation specialists consider coyote brush, an underrated plant in xeriscaped gardens. It's evergreen and produces white, yellow, or cream flowers in early winter. It adapts very well to different climates and is perfect for drought-tolerant landscapes.

6. Golden Yarrow

Golden yarrow is a shrub that does well planted in your backyard, in a pot on your deck, or even on a balcony. Bear in mind that it gets up to 4 ft tall, so it needs a big balcony and a huge pot to support healthy growth. 

It thrives in full sun, which is another point to bear in mind when you're choosing the best location for planting. Butterflies love it, so it's a good choice if you want to attract wildlife to your backyard.

7. Mesa Bushmallow

Mesa Bushmallow grows into a rather large shrub, with a height of around 10 ft. and a width of around 6 ft., so it's definitely one for the garden and not a pot on your balcony or deck. It has gentle, pink flowers that bloom in spring and summer. Its branches and stems tend not to be dense, so forget about it as a privacy bush.

8. Mexican Bush Sage

Another shrub popular with birds and butterflies is the Mexican bush sage. It's a large bush that thrives in full sun and partial shade. Its leaves are a grey-green color, and it shoots out spikes of purple flowers in summer and fall.  

It's a medium-sized shrub that grows well in your yard and in large flower containers on your deck or in areas of your landscaped garden that need a raised element.

9. Showy Penstemon

Showy penstemon is a perennial shrub that produces gorgeous lavender, pink, and purple flowers in spring and early summer. Hummingbirds are highly attracted to the flowers, which grow on spikes that can grow to 3 ft. tall.

The shrub thrives in full sun but can adapt to partial sunshine. 

10. Rosemary

Rosemary is a shrub that is instantly recognizable by its fragrance. It has dark green leaves and violet-colored flowers. Just touching the leaves gives off the earthy fragrance for which the herb is so well known.

It can hold its own as a decorative element in a xeriscaped yard or be used as a backdrop for more vibrant flowers. 

Design a Drought-Tolerant Garden with an Expert in Landscape Installation in California

A water-conserving landscape can be just as luscious and eye-catching as a landscape based on aesthetics. Professional landscapers, hardscapers, and xeriscapes can do wonders with your outdoor space, with nary a cactus and only very few succulentsSucculents are a group of plants known for their thick, fleshy leaves or stems that store water, mak... in sight.

To get started on your drought-tolerant landscape installation, contact our team at 714-519-5009 at West Hills Masonry today!