Reduce Your Lawn

Lawns are notorious water guzzlers, and many types of turfgrass require irrigation to stay green during a drought. Replacing at least part of your lawn with water-wise plantings will help you create a more drought-tolerant landscape. Here, pretty beds of drought-tolerant perennials near the house and sidewalk take the place of thirsty grass in this front yard.

Use Decorative Hardscape Elements

Many plants supply showy blooms but require tons of water. In their place, hardscape elements, such as this circular walkway of pavers around a gravel center, provide visual interest. Garden art, like the sculptures of a whimsical cat and an orb, can also add interest in place of water-needy plants.

This water-saving landscape still looks lush, thanks to the careful selection of shrubs and evergreens that require very little supplemental water (except in times of extreme drought). Drought-tolerant groundcovers, such as the thyme shown here weaving between large stones, provide a good way to catch rainwater that may run off the hardscaping, especially on a gentle slope.

Pick Porous Materials

Help more of the water from irrigation systems or natural precipitation reach your plants by choosing porous materials for hardscape elements. That way, the moisture has a chance to be absorbed by the soil instead of running off. In place of mortar in this garden path, a porous material between the paving stones allows rain to soak into the soil. A layer of mulch between the drought-tolerant plants also helps reduce water loss while suppressing weeds.

Rely on Water-Thrifty Plants

This drought-tolerant garden uses several water-saving strategies. A mix of tough but colorful perennials, such as the red-flowered penstemon, doesn’t require much supplemental moisture to thrive. Several varieties of evergreens that don’t mind dry conditions offer structure, height, and color. An oversized boulder fills in a gap between the plants, adding an unexpected focal point.

Plant Densely

Densely planted flowerbeds shade the soil, which slows the evaporation of moisture in the sun’s heat. The closely spaced plants also crowd out weeds, reducing the need for mulch. Here, a collection of water-wise plants, including lavender, catmint, goat’s beard, and lady’s mantle, all require minimal water to create a lush-looking garden.

Install a Water Feature

A fountain may not seem like a first choice in a drought-tolerant garden, but good design can enable the feature to capture and recycle water. Here, a small, raised pond with a fountain enhances this water-wise yard. The showy foliage of Japanese forest grass and lamb’s ear helps soften the hardscaping and counteract the warming effect of the pavers. Groundcovers like the thyme shown here also help provide a cooling effect in key areas, such as wide gaps between stones.

Go for Groundcovers

Use groundcovers as a living mulch to slow water evaporation in your drought-tolerant landscape. These low-growing plants can also help minimize water runoff from hardscaping such as steps and sidewalks. Here, water-wise perennials such as thyme, sedum, and sea thrift are small enough to be tucked between and around these stone steps. Plus, they add welcome color with their blooms.

Make the Most of Mulch

Mulch is essential for creating a water-saving landscape. In this garden, gravel serves as an inorganic, low-maintenance mulch around drought-tolerant succulents and grasses. Additionally, the gravel creates a permeable walkway, which helps prevent water runoff.

Plant Your Parking Strip

The spaces between the curb and sidewalk are sometimes known as “hell strips” because they tend to be hot and dry places, but with the right water-wise design, they can also become a lush oasis. Drought-tolerant plants, such as ornamental grasses, low-growing evergreens, and artemisia, in this parking strip garden help catch rainwater runoff before it reaches the street, reducing soil erosion and downstream pollution while conserving water.

Design Water-Smart Slopes

A steep slope can be challenging when it comes to managing water runoff. This tiered garden bed provides a solution for sloped areas. Large rocks, groundcovers, and a sturdy raised bed on one corner work together to reduce water loss and erosion.

Group Plants with Similar Water Needs

The easiest way to design a drought-tolerant landscape is to use plants that don’t require a lot of water to thrive. Native plants often make good choices because they’re well adapted to your region’s growing conditions. Plants from drier areas of the world, such as lavender shown here, are also naturally drought-tolerant. Be sure to group plants with similar watering needs and light requirements together for optimal results.

Use Containers for Thirstier Plants

Containers add extra color and lushness to a drought-tolerant landscape, especially to hardscaped areas. Many succulents and other water-thrifty plants do well in containers, but if you have your heart set on growing certain plants that require daily watering, confine them to planters. This allows you to target a smaller area for extra watering rather than watering the entire garden.