In light of the ongoing drought conditions throughout much of the High Plains region and some of the Midwest, it’s essential to consider incorporating drought-tolerant native shrubs into your landscape. These resilient plants are adapted to withstand dry periods, reducing the need for supplemental watering while ensuring a thriving and sustainable landscape—whether in larger spaces such as acreage plantings, community plantings or parks, or smaller urban front or backyard spaces.
It is imperative to note that all plants are intolerant of drought until they are established. Proper watering and site selection after planting are crucial for long-term success.
Understanding Drought and Plant Tolerance
According to the University of Wisconsin horticulture short course on drought tolerance, drought occurs when water availability is lower than a plant’s requirement for optimal growth. It is defined as “a period of dryness especially when prolonged—specifically one that causes extensive damage to crops or prevents their successful growth.”
Drought impacts vary by site, and drought tolerance is not a fixed characteristic but rather a spectrum. For example, a plant may be drought-tolerant in shaded woods but not in full sun (e.g., Common Witch Hazel). Another plant may thrive in sandy soils but not in poorly drained conditions (e.g., Sweetfern).
Key considerations include:
- At the individual level, a drought-tolerant shrub can withstand dry conditions without significant aesthetic damage or increased disease susceptibility (to a point).
- At the landscape level, restoration efforts focus on shrubs whose reproductive fitness isn’t significantly impacted by drought, even if they adopt drought-adaptive traits such as dormancy.
Top Drought-Tolerant Native Shrubs in the Midwest
Staghorn Sumac (Rhus typhina)
Staghorn Sumac is a large native shrub that grows to a height of 15-25′ and a width of 20-30′. It thrives in average, dry to medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. This shrub has great ornamental value. Young branchlets have reddish brown hairs that resemble velvet on deer antlers which is where Staghorn Sumac gets its name! Tiny greenish yellow flowers bloom from June to July and give way to bright red clusters of fruit. The leaves turn a mix of yellow, orange and red. Masses of Staghorn Sumac are used for erosion control on slopes or hard to cover areas with poor soil due to its tolerance to dry soils, shallow-rocky soils, black walnut juglone, and urban soils. Siting is important, as it will not tolerate poorly drained sites.
Black Chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa)
This versatile shrub, native to the Midwest, grows 4-6 feet tall and wide. Its glossy, dark green leaves transform into brilliant red hues in fall. In spring, it produces white flower clusters, followed by glossy, black, edible fruits that persist into winter. Black Chokeberry adapts well to most soils and pH levels, thriving in both wet and drought conditions, and it even has moderate tolerance to road salt.
Golden Currant (Ribes aureum)
Golden Currant is a compact, multi-stemmed shrub that grows 3-7 feet tall and 2-6 feet wide. It produces fragrant yellow flowers in spring, followed by small edible berries. This shrub prefers to grow in organically rich, fertile, medium moisture, well-drained soils and tolerates drought once established. Due to its wide ecological range, Golden Currant is valued for its conservation use!
New Jersey Tea (Ceanothus americanus)
This compact shrub reaches 3-4 feet in height and 3-5 feet in width. Its glossy, dark green leaves and clusters of abundant white flowers in mid-spring add charm to any landscape. New Jersey Tea is easily grown in average, dry to medium, well-drained soils but does best in sandy loams or rocky soils. This native shrub is also fantastic for attracting pollinators and creating sustainable landscapes.
Tips for Success with Drought-Tolerant Shrubs
Incorporating these drought-tolerant native shrubs into your landscape can help conserve water while maintaining a healthy, attractive garden. Keep these tips in mind:
- Water Deeply and Consistently: Newly planted shrubs require at least 1 inch of water per week until the ground freezes. This helps them establish strong root systems.
- Apply Mulch: Mulching in a layer 1-2″ thick around the base of your shrubs helps conserve soil moisture, reduce weed competition, and protect roots from temperature fluctuations.
- Choose the Right Site: Match the plant’s sun, shade, and soil type preferences to your planting location.
By choosing drought-tolerant shrubs such as these, you’re not only creating a resilient and beautiful landscape but also supporting local ecosystems. Browse our selection of shrubs at Great Plains Nursery to explore native plants tailored for Midwestern landscapes. We also have various cultivars that maintain the species’ drought tolerance and adaptability. Join us next week on the blog as we highlight our top picks for drought-tolerant trees to complement your landscape!
