Ashleigh Smith + photo

Ashleigh Smith

May 9
3 min read
bubble 0
cornflower

When it comes to growing plants, the most underrated material needed is the soil. Soil controls nutrient and water availability, ease of root development, and water drainage. When you are faced with a location that tends to naturally be dry, your best option is to grow flowers that enjoy that soil quality. Here we have compiled a list of flowers that like to keep their “feet” dry. While drought tolerance and dry soils are often associated together, this list only focuses on plants that like dry soils. Some flowers listed prefer cool mountain-like climates over hot desert ones. Plan accordingly.

Sweet Alyssum

Alyssum is one of the most popular flowers because of its adaptive characteristics and ability to attract pollinators. It performs well in dry soils and is available in a variety of colors. Add this low-growing annual to fill in your empty spaces this season.

California Poppy

This annual poppy is native to regions stretching from the Pacific Northwest down to Mexico and does well across North America. While these delicate blooms perform well with dry soils, they prefer cooler summer temperatures and are unable to tolerate intense heat and humidity. During high summer heat, these blooms should be watered as needed to keep the roots cool.

Cornflower - Bachelor's Buttons

This delightfully delicate meadow flower is native to cool and temperate areas across Europe but has become naturalized in many areas across the world. These flowers are popular for use in herbal teas, blends, or dried for decoration. Because of their roots as a type of wildflower, it is ideal for growing spaces that tend to have dry soil.

Dahlberg Daisy

This southwestern favorite develops a gorgeous cascading ground cover of low-maintenance yellow blooms. As a native to Texas and Mexico, this flower is an ideal addition to your xeriscapes and dry soil growing areas.

Dusty Miller

Performs well in hot and dry gardens. Like Lamb’s Ear, this annual boasts soft and fuzzy foliage. Grow for a compact splash of white throughout your garden.

Four o'Clock

This trumpet-shaped bloom is both eye-catching and fragrant with a spread of colors. Enjoy this flower in heat-prone areas as it is tolerant of many soil types and can easily be grown in containers. Will attract pollinators such as hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees.

Mexican Sunflower

This showy, drought-tolerant annual is a great addition to your garden as it is deer-resistant, attracts pollinators, and thrives in heat and poor soils. Cut a few stems for a decorative summer bud vase.

Verbena

AKA Vervain - A small petaled flower available in pink, red, purple, white, or orange. They thrive in rock gardens, containers, and flower beds. With well-draining soil, this flower will bloom all season long.

Our Recommended Picks

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

0 Comments

No Comments yet! Be the first to start a conversation

  1. Grass to Garden: Transforming Your Outdoor Space With Raised Bedsraised beds filled with leafy greens

    Grass to Garden: Transforming Your Outdoor Space With Raised Beds

    Written By Lara Wadsworth Looking to turn your lawn into a productive, easy-to-manage garden? One of the best ways to convert grass, turf, or weeds into a flourishing garden space is by using raised garden beds. Whether you’re dreaming of fresh vegetab...


    Ashleigh Smith + photo

    Ashleigh Smith

    2025-06-24
    6 min read
    bubble 0
  2. How to Protect Your Garden from Heat Stress: Summer Plant Care Tipswoman gathers a summer harvest from the garden

    How to Protect Your Garden from Heat Stress: Summer Plant Care Tips

    Written By Lara Wadsworth Summer is here, and the heat is turning up. As the sun becomes more intense and daytime temperatures routinely soar, some plants struggle to cope. Sunburn, sunscald, leaf scorch, and heat stress are common problems that plants...


    Ashleigh Smith + photo

    Ashleigh Smith

    2025-06-17
    8 min read
    bubble 0
  3. Maximize Your Garden with the French Intensive MethodFrench Raised Bed Garden

    Maximize Your Garden with the French Intensive Method

    Written By Lara Wadsworth There are many ways that people online claim to maximize garden space, including everything from container gardening to square-foot gardening. There are books galore written about how to get the most out of each square foot of...


    Ashleigh Smith + photo

    Ashleigh Smith

    2025-06-11
    8 min read
    bubble 0
  4. Top Nutrient-Dense Foods and Why You Should Eat ThemWatercress microgreens white background

    Top Nutrient-Dense Foods and Why You Should Eat Them

    Written By Lara Wadsworth In today’s world of health trends, dieting, and fitness fads, one essential element is often overlooked: nutrients. Nutrients are the foundation of true wellness—fueling every organ, supporting immune function, and enabling bo...


    Ashleigh Smith + photo

    Ashleigh Smith

    2025-06-10
    7 min read
    bubble 0