This summer I have been thinking a lot about plants that survive and in some cases even thrive despite the record drought.  I am reminded of this on a daily basis when I look out my kitchen window at the white, rose pink and lavender  Rose-of -Sharon’s, Hibiscus syriacus,  that bloom and bloom. 

Despite that fact that they receive no water unless it rains, these tough guys provide almost continuous summer color.  I had planned to take them out (they were here when I moved in last year) but am reconsidering given their flower power.   Although unnamed seedlings of Rose-of-Sharon  can be pesky when they sprout up uninvited in other parts of your garden  there are more recent cultivars  that set little or no seedpods.  Some of my favorites include those with large single flowers such as ‘Diana’ with pure white blooms, ‘Minerva’ with ruffled lavender-pink blooms with a reddish eye and ‘Blue Satin’ with royal blue flowers and a red eye.  Keep in mind that established plants are more tolerant of drought than those that are newly planted. 

Hibiscus 'Diana'

Among summer blooming trees that tolerate hot, dry weather, the Goldenrain tree, Koelreuteria paniculata, is a good doer.  Clusters of bright yellow flowers in early to midsummer are followed by showy seed capsules that persist into fall.  The leaves, up to 15 inches long with seven to fifteen leaflets, start out purplish and turn bright green.  Reaching 20 to 35′ at maturity, this medium sized tree makes a good specimen and will thrive in urban environments.  Its relative, Koelreuteria bipinnata, Chinese Flame tree blooms later with similar flowers but has very decorative seed capsules that look like miniature Japanese lanterns which  turn shades or red, orange or salmon.     

 Another reliable summer bloomer that stands up to drought and heat is the Chaste tree, Vitex agnus-castus.   This large shrub or small tree will quickly reach 25′ and offers aromatic fanlike foliage, and spikes of fragrant blue flowers.  If you garden at the beach this is one tree that should do well for you.    Incorporate Vitex into your shrub border and combine it with perennials like daylilies and butterfly bush, Buddleia davidii.    

Hibiscus syriacus 'Blue Satin'

While I have admired hardy cactus I have never grown any but the spineless prickly pear, Opuntia ellisiana,   stands up to heat, drought and cold.  A good companion for this architectural beauty is the Mexican Feather grass, Nassella tenuissima.  

In talking with Scott McMahan’s of McMahan’s nursery in Clermont, Georgia (770-983-3666) he recommended some perennials that exhibit drought tolerance for them.  These include Heleniums, also known as Sneezeweed,  H. ‘Canary’ with yellow blooms, H. ‘Mardi Gras’ with flowers that start out orangey-yellow and turn dark red and H.‘Moerheim Beauty’ with solid red flowers.  By cutting them back after they bloom he says they get three flushes of bloom in one summer.    Pair these with ornamental grasses like Miscanthus or sedges like Carex ‘Indian Summer ‘ with coppery-orange foliage.  A black-eyed Susan Scott likes is Rudbeckia ‘Henry Eilers’ with yellow rounded petals on plants that grow 3′high.   A native that blooms despite heat and drought is Veronicastrum virginicum ‘Lavender Towers’ with tall spikes of lavender-pink blooms.