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Master Gardeners Van Dusen Botanical Garden

Drought Tolerant Plant List for Vancouver City Boulevards


Important: Because soil and water conditions vary, results cannot be guaranteed. This list is intended as a guide to those plants which have proven drought tolerant in average conditions.

List compiled by volunteer Master Gardeners from Van Dusen Botanical Garden for the Prince Edward Street Waterwise Blooming Boulevard Project.
June, 2003

Prince Edward St. Water Wise Blooming Boulevards





Perennials: Drought Tolerant Plant Selection Guide

 

Blossom Colour

 

Botanical Name

Common Name

Sun

Shade

W

P

R

O

Y

B

P

Bloom Season

Soil

Height

Spread

Comments

White

Pink

Red

Orange

Yellow

Blue

Purple

Achillea millefolium

Yarrow

X

                         

A. 'Fire King'

 

X

     

X

       

Summer/fall

 

1m

 

Likes very hot dry. Spreads

A. 'Moonshine'

 

X

         

X

   

Summer/fall

 

60 cm

   

Aethionema

A. 'Warley Rose'

Stonecress

X

               

Late Spring, Early Summer

Light

15cm

15cm

Everygreen, compact, short lived.

Ajuga

   

X

         

X

         

Good edger for curbside.

Alchemilla mollis

Lady’s Mantle

X

X

       

X

   

summer

 

30 cm

60 cm

Self seeds

A. alpina

             

X

           

Silver edges and silver underleaf.

Allium

Chives

X

             

X

   

30cm

30cm

Edible. Self seeds.

Amsonia

tabernaemontana

Blue Star Flower

 

X

         

X

 

summer

 

45-60 cm

30 cm

Yellow leaves in autumn.

Anemone japonica

Japanese anemone

X

X

X

X

         

Late summer

 

1m

1m

Partial shade under deciduous trees.

Anthemis nobilis

Chamomile

X

 

X

           

Summer

 

60cm

30cm

Can make tea. Nice white daisies.

Aquilegia

Columbine

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

Spring/summer

60 cm

30 cm

Attracts humming birds/self seeds in Fall

Artemisia

Wormwood

X

                       

Grey foliage.

A. ludoviciana

 

X

 

X

               

1 M

60 cm

 

A. pontica

 

X

                   

60 cm

20 cm

May spread.

A. 'Powis Castle'

 

X

                   

1 M

1.2 M

Evergreen.

A. stellariana

 

X

                 

Light soil

30-60 cm

60cm—1 m

 

Aster novi-belgii hybrids.

A. x 'Frikartii Munch'

A. 'Wonder of Staffa'

Michaelmas Daisies

X

 

X

X

X

   

X

X

Summer/Fall

 

1m

1m

Watch height. Pick low growing cultivars. Need dividing every 2-3 years. In June, growing tips can be pinched out to reduce height.

Bergenia cordifolia

Elephants Ears

X

X

 

X

X

           

20 cm

   

B. crassifolia

 

X

X

 

X

       

X

Feb-Mar

 

20 cm

 

Glossy bold leaves, green

Campanula

Bellflower

X

X

X

       

X

X

Summer

     

Height and spread depending on type. Watch invasive ones.

Carex

C. buchanii

C. comans 'frosty

curls'

C. morrowii

Sedge.(Grass-like)

X

X

                     

Do not cut to ground. Evergreen or "everbrown.".

Perennials: Drought Tolerant Plant Selection Guide

 

Blossom Colour

 

Botanical Name

Common Name

Sun

Shade

W

P

R

O

Y

B

P

Bloom Season

Soil

Height

Spread

Comments

White

Pink

Red

Orange

Yellow

Blue

Purple

Catanache caerula

Cupid’s dart

X

 

X

       

X

   

Light well drained

60 cm

30 cm

Gray green leaves. Reseeds.

Centaurea

                             

C. ‘John Coutts’

 

X

   

X

         

summer

 

60 cm

45 cm

Bright pink, deadhead will rebloom.

C. montana

               

X

 

Early summer

 

50 cm

60 cm

Regular division.

C. pulcherimma

       

X

             

75 cm

60 cm

Regular division.

Centranthus

Valerian

X

X

X

           

summer

Poor

60 cm-1m.

< 45 cm

Good with day lilies. Scented.

C. 'Albus'

     

X

                     

C. rubra

         

X

                 

Ceratostigma

Plumbago

             

X

 

Late summer/fall

     

Brilliant blue flowers

C. plumbaginoides

Dwarf plumbago

             

X

     

45 cm.

20 cm

Rapidly spreading.

C. willmottianum

Chinese plumbago

             

X

     

75 cm

75 cm

 

Convallaria majalis

Lily of the Valley

   

X

               

3-23cm

 

All parts poisonous if ingested.

Coreopsis

Tickseed

       

X

X

X

   

summer

       

C. verticillata 'Zagreb'

C. verticillata

'Moonbeam'

             

X

       

40-60 cm

30 cm

Thread leaf foliage.

C. lanceolata

             

X

       

45 cm

30 cm

Excellent cut flowers

Crocosmia

 

X

                       

Good naturaliser, watch height

C. 'Lucerfi'

           

X

         

1 m

20-25 cm

 

C. 'Bressingham

Blaze'

 

X

       

X

   

X

   

75 cm

   

Cynoglossum grande

Western Hound's Tongue

(biennial)

 

X

X

X

     

X

X

Spring

 

60cm

 

Dies back in summer.

Deschampsia

Tufted Hair grass

X

X

                 

30cm

30cm

Nice in wind.

Diascia

D. integerrima vigilis

D. vigilis

Twinspur

X

 

X

           

Summer/Fall

Lean soil

45cm

1m

Survives in poor soil.

Well drained soil.

Doronicum

Leopard's Bane

 

X

       

X

   

Spring

 

75cm

60cm

 

Dryopteris

Wood Fern

 

X

               

Rich soil.

   

Not easy to grow. Needs organic matter. Mulch required.

D. arguta

Coastal Wood Fern

 

X

                 

75 cm

   

D. erythrosora

   

X

                 

30—60 cm

   

D. expansa

   

X

                 

30 cm-1 m

   

D filex mas

   

X

                 

30cm-1m

   

Echinacea purpurea

Coneflower

X

 

X

X

       

X

Summer

 

1m

1m

 

Erica

Winter flowering Heather

X

 

X

X

X

       

Winter/Spring

 

30cm

30cm -1m

Acid peaty soil. Add peat to soil before planting. Water well to get established--two years. Light haircut after flowering.

Perennials: Drought Tolerant Plant Selection Guide

 

Blossom Colour

 

Botanical Name

Common Name

Sun

Shade

W

P

R

O

Y

B

P

Bloom Season

Soil

Height

Spread

Comments

White

Pink

Red

Orange

Yellow

Blue

Purple

Erigeron

E. glaucus

E. speciosus

Fleabane

Beach Aster

X

 

X

X

     

X

X

Summer

Sandy

   

Flowers all summer. Free blooming.

Eryngium

E. alpinum

E. planum

Sea Holly

X

           

X

X

Summer

     

Silver, check height, tap root. Difficult to divide.

Erysimum

Wallflower

X

                         

E. ‘Bowles Mauve’

 

X

             

X

   

1 m

2 m

Almost continuous bloom.

E. linifolium

 

X

           

X

     

30 cm

20 cm

Short lived, will self sow.

E. helveticum

 

X

         

X

       

10 cm

15 cm

 

Euphorbia

                             

E. amygdaloides

‘Purpurea’

 

X

X

       

X

   

Spring

 

1 m

1 m

Tolerates root competition from tree.

E. amygdaloides

robbiae

   

X

             

Spring

Poor

45-60 cm

60 cm

Lime green flowers. Spreads by rhizomes.

E. griffithii ‘Fireglow’

 

X

X

     

X

     

Early Summer

 

1 m

50 cm

 

E. myrsinites

Myrtle Euphorbia

X

       

X

X

   

Spring

 

10 cm

20 cm

Evergreen. Lime green flower

E. polychroma

Cushion Spurge

 

X

                       

E. rigida

 

X

         

X

   

Early Spring.

 

45 cm

45 cm

Evergreen lime green flower

Fragaria chiloensis

Wild Strawberry

X

X

X

               

30 cm

>1 m

Spreads by stolons

Geranium

Cranes bill. Hardy geranium.

                         

Excellent choice. Easy Care. Free blooming.

G. macrorrhizum

 

X

 

X

X

       

X

       

Tough, disease free.

G. x oxanonium

 

X

 

X

X

                   

G. phaeum

Mourning Widow

 

X

   

X

     

X

       

Excellent for dry shade.

Globularia

Globe Daisy

X

           

X

 

Summer

 

8cm

20cm

Only moderately frost hardy.

Goniolimon tataricum Or Limonium

German Statice

X

 

X

         

X

Summer

 

30cm

 

Good dried flowers.

G. bellidifolium

 

X

 

X

       

X

     

20 cm

20 cm

 

G. latifolium ‘Blue

Cloud’

 

X

           

X

X

Late summer

 

30 cm

45 cm

Can dry flowers

Helenium autumnale

H. Hybrids

Sneezeweed

X

                       

Need regular division, hot spot, watch height of cultivars

H. 'Bressinghan Gold'

 

X

         

X

   

Late summer/fall

 

1 m

60 cm

 

H. 'Moerheim Beauty'

 

X

       

X

     

Late summer/fall

 

1 m

60 cm

Rich, reddish colour.

H. 'Wyndley'

 

X

         

X

   

Late summer/fall

 

75 cm

60 cm

Orange yellow.

Helianthemum

nummularium

Sun rose. Rock rose.

X

 

X

X

X

X

X

   

Early summer

Excellent drainage

15-20

cm

15-30

cm

Dry spot needed, evergreen.

Helictotrichon

Blue Oat Grass

X

                   

60cm

60cm

Stately blue green grass with florets. Do not cut back.

 

Perennials: Drought Tolerant Plant Selection Guide

 

Blossom Colour

 

Botanical Name

Common Name

Sun

Shade

W

P

R

O

Y

B

P

Bloom Season

Soil

Height

Spread

Comments

White

Pink

Red

Orange

Yellow

Blue

Purple

Helleborus

Christmas Rose

X

X

X

           

Winter, Early Spring

     

Watch for black spot. DO NOT CHOOSE CHRISTMAS ROSE (NIGER).

H. argutifolius

 

X

X

                     

Pale green flowers.

H. foetidus

 

X

X

X

                   

Easiest to grow. Pale green flowers.

H. orientalis

                             

Hemerocallis

Daylily

X

 

X

X

X

X

X

 

X

Summer

     

Easy care. Choose long blooming ones.

H. 'Stella d’Oro'

 

X

X

       

X

           

Blooms summer to frost.

H. 'Happy Returns'

 

X

X

 

X

                   

Hypericum

St. John’s Wort

                           

H. calycinum

 

X

X

       

X

     

Poor

20-30

cm

> 2 m

Ground cover, can compete with tree roots, invasive.

Hyssopus

                             

H. officinalis

 

X

 

X

X

     

X

 

Summer/Fall

 

60 cm

60 cm

Aromatic leaves.

Iris

                           

Do not cover rhizomes.

Bearded

 

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

Summer

 

60cm-1m

 

All kinds of colour from near black to white, and blends too.

I.tenax

Pacific Coast

X

X

X

X

X

   

X

X

       

Light shade.

I. foetidissima

Gladwin Iris

 

X

         

X

         

Attractive seed heads.

I. pallida

 

X

             

X

Summer

 

50cm

 

Variegated leaves.

I. Siberica

Siberian Iris

X

 

X

       

X

X

Late Spring

 

50cm

 

Robust and clump can get very big.

Kniphofia uvaria

Red Hot Poker

X

       

X

X

           

Look for small cultivars.

Lavandula

Lavender

X

 

X

X

       

X

Summer

       

L. augustifolia

'Hidcote'

 

X

             

X

Summer

 

75 cm

75 cm

Gray foliage, evergreen.

L. augustifolia

'Munstead'

X

X

Summer

60 cm

60 cm

 

L. x intermedia

 

X

             

X

Summer

 

75cm-1m

75cm

 

L. stoechas

Spanish Lavender

X

             

X

Late Spr/summ

 

60 cm

60 cm

Rose purple bracts.

Liatris

Gayfeather

X

 

X

         

X

Late summer

 

60 cm

30 cm

Look for short cultivars.

L. spicata ‘Kobold’

 

X

                         

Linum

Flax

                           

L. arboreum

 

X

         

X

       

30 cm

30 cm

Evergreen.

L. narbonense

‘Six hills’

               

X

     

30 —60 cm

30 cm

Short lived.

L. perenne

Perennial flax

             

X

     

30 cm

15 cm

Self sows.

Lupinus

Lupine

                     

75 cm

75 cm

Self seeds.

L. argenteus

     

X

       

X

X

         

Lychnis

                             

L. coronaria

 

X

X

X

 

X

       

Summer

 

75 cm

45 cm

Gray foliage, self sows.

Maianthemum dilatatum

False Lily of theValley

 

X

               

Acid. Well drained.

10cm

>1m

Dies back in winter.

 

Perennials: Drought Tolerant Plant Selection Guide

 

Blossom Colour

 

Botanical Name

Common Name

Sun

Shade

W

P

R

O

Y

B

P

Bloom Season

Soil

Height

Spread

Comments

White

Pink

Red

Orange

Yellow

Blue

Purple

Nepeta

                             

N. cataria

Catnip

X

           

X

           

N. x faassenii

Catmint

X

           

X

     

45 cm

45 cm

 

N. 'Dropmore Blue'

 

X

           

X

     

30 cm

60 cm

 

Oenothera

Evening Primrose

X

                         

O. missouriensis

             

X

       

10 cm

15 cm

Flowers open at night.

O. tetragona

Sundrops

           

X

   

mid/late summer

 

45-60 cm

45 cm

Flowers open in daytime.

Papaver

Poppy

                           

P. orientale

Oriental poppy

X

 

X

X

X

X

         

1 m

1 m

Dies back midsummer

Pennisetum

                             

P. alopecuroides

Fountain grass

X

                   

1 m

1m

Good winter display. White florets.

P. orientale

Chinese grass

X

                   

45cm

60cm

White florets.

Penstemon

Beard Tongue

X

                 

Loose gravel & soil

   

3-4 yrs life span, fast drainage.

Penstemon

gloxinioides 'Sour

Grapes'

Border or garden penstemon

                         

Height & spread variable.

P. hartwegii

                             

P. cobaea

                             

Perovskia

Russian Sage

X

           

X

     

1 m

45 cm

Silver leaves.

P. ‘Blue Spire’

                             

Polygonum

Knotweed

                         

Creeping roots.

P. affine

 

X

X

 

X

         

Fall

 

15-30 cm

>30 cm

Evergreen.

Polystichum minutum

Sword fern

 

X

                 

90cm

90cm

Established plants need little water. Stately.

Rudbeckia

Blackeyed Susan

         

X

X

           

Good cut flowers.

R. fulgida ‘Goldsturm’

             

X

       

1 m

60 cm

 

Ruta graveolens

Rue

X

         

X

       

75 cm

75 cm

Evergreen, blue-green foliage.

Salvia

Sage

X

                         

S. nemorosa ‘East

Friesland’

               

X

     

75 cm

45 cm

 

S. nemorosa ‘Lubecca’

               

X

     

45 cm

45 cm

 

S. nemorosa

'May Night’

             

X

     

1 m

45 cm

Violet-blue flowers.

S. officinalis

Common sage

               

X

         

S. ‘Berggarten’

                           

Non-flowering.

S. ‘Icterina’

                           

Yellow/green leaves.

S. ‘Purpurascens’

                           

Purple tinted leaves.

S. ‘Tricolor’

                           

Gray,white purple leaves.

Santolina

Lavender cotton

                           

S. chamaecyparissus

 

X

         

X

       

75 cm

1 m

Evergreen, gray, good small hedge.

 

Perennials: Drought Tolerant Plant Selection Guide

 

Blossom Colour

 

Botanical Name

Common Name

Sun

Shade

W

P

R

O

Y

B

P

Bloom Season

Soil

Height

Spread

Comments

White

Pink

Red

Orange

Yellow

Blue

Purple

Saponaria

Soapwort

X

                   

8 cm

10 cm

 

S. caespitosa

       

X

       

X

   

15cm

 

Good edger.

S. ocymoides

Rock soapwort

     

X

             

2.5-8 cm

40 cm

Likes dry banks. Trailing.

S. officinalis ‘Rubra

Plena’

         

X

           

1 m

30 cm

 

Sedum

Stonecrop

X

X

                     

Succulent perennial, check hardiness.

S. acre ‘Aureum’

Gold moss sedum

           

X

       

2.5 cm

>1 m

Spreads but easy to control.

S. lydium

       

X

             

5 cm

15 cm

Evergreen, mat-forming.

S. obtusatum

 

X

X

       

X

       

5 cm

10-15 cm

Evergreen, mat-forming.

S. sieboldii

       

X

         

Fall

 

10 cm

20 cm

 

S. spectabile

‘Brilliant’

       

X

         

Late summer/

Fall

 

30-45 cm

30-45 cm

 

S. telephium

‘Autumn Joy’

                   

Late summer/

Fall

 

75 cm

60 cm

 

S. spathulifolium

 

X

X

       

X

   

Early summer.

 

5 cm

>1 m

Evergreen, mat-forming.

Sempervivum

Hens & chicks.

X

X

                 

5cm

 

Evergreen-spreads slowly, to make dense mats.

S. arachnoideum

Cobweb house leek

                     

5 cm

10 cm

Fine hairs over plant.

S.tectorum

Hens & chicks

                     

5 cm

20 cm

Look for red/green colours.

Senecio

                             

S.cineraria

Dusty Miller

           

X

       

60 cm

60-75 cm

Grey foliage.

Sisyrinchium

                             

S. bellum

Blue-eyed grass

X

           

X

     

12 cm

10 cm

Semi-evergreen, self seeds.

S. striatum

 

X

 

X

     

X

       

45 —60 cm

30 cm

Self seeds. Long lasting flowers.

Stachys

Lamb's Ears

X

X

X

X

             

15 cm

60 cm

Soft grey leaves.

S. byzantina ‘Silver

carpet’

                       

5 cm

60 cm

Does not produce flowers.

Thymus

Thyme

                           

T. citriodorus

Lemon Thyme

X

X

                 

19 cn

25 cn

Evergreen.

T. herba-barona

Caraway-scented

X

X

           

X

   

5-10 cm

20 cm

Evergreen.

T. praecox articus

Creeping Thyme

X

X

X

         

X

   

1 cm

>

Evergreen.

T. pseudolanuginosus

Woolly Thyme

X

X

 

X

             

2.5-5 cm

>20 cm

Evergreen.

T. vulgaris

Common Thyme

X

X

                 

15-30 cm

25 cm

Evergreen.

T. vulgaris argenteus

Silver Thyme

X

X

                 

15-30 cm

25 cm

Variegated leaves, evergreen.

Valeriana

Valerian, garden heliotrope

                           

V. officinalis

     

X

X

             

1 m

1 m

 

 

Perennials: Drought Tolerant Plant Selection Guide

 

Blossom Colour

 

Botanical Name

Common Name

Sun

Shade

W

P

R

O

Y

B

P

Bloom Season

Soil

Height

Spread

Comments

White

Pink

Red

Orange

Yellow

Blue

Purple

Vancouveria

                             

V. chrysantha

   

X

       

X

   

Spring

 

30 cm

>1m

Evergreen, grow in shade under trees.

V. hexandra

American barrenwort

 

X

X

               

20 cm

>1m

Vigorous evergreen, grown in shade under trees.

Verbascum

                           

Watch height, lots hate winter wet, must be perennial.

V. chaixii

Nettle leaf mullein.

X

         

X

       

1 m

60 cm

Silvery hairs.

V. nigrum

Dark mullein

           

X

 

X

Late summer/fall

 

60 cm — 1 m

60 cm

 

Verbena

                             

V. bipinnatifida

                 

X

   

20 cm

20 cm

Self sows.

V. rigida

Vervain

     

X

     

X

X

   

45 — 60 cm

30 cm

Low maintenance.

Veronica

Speedwell

X

                         

V. prostrata

Prostrate speedwell

             

X

     

30 cm

>1m

 
                               

Vinca

Periwinkle

 

X

                     

Will aggressively spread over time.

V. major

     

X

       

X

     

10 cm

>

Variegated foliage available.

V. minor

Dwarf Periwinkle

   

X

       

X

X

   

15 cm

>

Variegated foliage available. More restrained than major.

Yucca

                             

Y. filamentosa

X

X

75 cm

75 cm

Stiffer, narrower leaves than flaccida..

Y. flaccida

X

X

75 cm

75 cm

Hardiest small yucca.

 

 

Native Plants: Drought Tolerant Perennials Plant Selection Guide

 

Blossom Colour

 

Botanical Name

Common Name

Sun

Shade

W

P

R

O

Y

B

P

Bloom Season

Soil

Height

Spread

Comments

White

Pink

Red

Orange

Yellow

Blue

Purple

Achillea millefolium

A. 'Moonshine'

Yarrow

X

 

X

           

Summer/Fall

 

30-50cm

   

Anaphalis margaritacea

Pearly everlasting

X

Pt. X

X

     

X

   

Summer

 

20-60cm

 

Used in dried flower arrangements.

Antennaria microphylla

Rosy pussy toes

X

   

X

         

Summer/Fall

 

Up to 40cm

   

Aquilegia formosa

Red Columbine

X

Pt. .X

   

X

 

X

   

May, Aug

 

40-60cm

 

Should be in partial shade or shade. Cannot get too dry.

Arctostaphylos uva-ursi

Kinnikinnick

(Bear berry)

 

X

X

X

         

Summer

 

10cm

 

Partial Shade. Excellent ground cover.

Aster alpinus

Alpine aster

X

             

X

Summer

 

30cm

   

Dryas drummondii

Yellow Mountain Avens

X

         

X

   

Summer

 

15-25cm

 

Low prostrate evergreen shrub.

Festuca idahoensis

Idaho fescue bluegrass

X

                   

10-20cm

   

Fragaria chiloensis

Coastal Strawberry

X

 

X

           

Summer

 

30cm

 

Evergreen. Flowers nectar source for butterflies.

Linnaea borealis

Twinflower

X

X

 

X

         

Summer

Humous

10cm

 

Evergreen. Good scent.

Lomatium ulriculatum

Fine Leafed Desert Parsley

X

         

X

   

Spring

 

30cm

 

Food for caterpillars for some adult butterflies.

Lychnis coronia

Rose campion

X

Pt. X

   

X

       

Summer

 

40-100cm

 

Self seed prolifically.

Mahonia nervosa

Dull Oregon Grape

 

X

       

X

   

Apr/June

 

60cm

 

Edible but sour berries. Difficult to find.

Rosa gymnocarpa

Wood Rose

X

                         

Sedum spathulifolium

Stonecrop

X

                   

5cm

 

Rosettes of blue/green leaves.

Silene acaulis

Moss campion

X

   

X

X

       

June/Sept

 

5cm

 

Spreads easily. Trouble free.

Solidago canadensis

Golden rod

X

         

X

   

Late summer

 

1m

   

Symphoricarpos

Snowberry

X

X

X

           

Spring

     

Only the following cultivars. Nice white berries in winter. Needs pruning.

S. chenaultii

'Hancock'

   

X

                 

1m

3m

 

S. mollis

Creeping Snowberry

X

                   

60cm

2m

 

Triteleia hyacinthina

Fool's onion

X

 

X

     

X

       

50-60cm

 

Cormous perennial. No on ion smell.

 

 

SHRUBS: Drought Tolerant Shrubs Plant Selection Guide

 

Blossom Colour

 

Botanical Name

Common Name

Sun

Shade

W

P

R

O

Y

B

P

Bloom Season

Soil

Height

Spread

Comments

White

Pink

Red

Orange

Yellow

Blue

Purple

Arbutus unedo

A. 'Elfin King'

A. 'October Fest'

Strawberry Tree

X

 

X

             

Well drained

3-4.5m

 

Evergreen fruit. Rich red brown bark. (NOT FOR BOULEVARDS)

Buxus sempervirens

Box

X

X

                     

Everygreen. Very slow growing. Can make small formal hedges.

Caryopteris x clandonesis

Bluebeard

X

           

X

 

Late Summer

 

60cm

60cm

 

'Blue Mist'

 

X

           

X

           

Ceanothus

Wild Lilac

California Lilac

X

           

X

 

Summer

     

Many succumb to root rot. Watch zone hardiness, height. Only cultivars mentioned.

C. 'Victoria Blue'

                             

C. Gloriosus

Point Reyes creeper

                           

Cistus

Rockrose

X

 

X

X

           

Light soil.

1m

1m

Needs maintenance. Watch height and spread. Do not prune into hard wood.

Cotoneaster

                           

Berries, evergreen.

C. dammeri

 

X

                   

20cm

20cm

 

C. horizontalis

Rockspray

X

                         

Erica

Winter flowering Heather

X

 

X

X

X

       

Winter/Spring

 

30cm

30cm -1m

Acid peaty soil. Add peat to soil before planting. Water well to get established--two years. Light haircut after flowering.

Euonymous fortunei

E. 'Silver & gold'

 

X

X

                     

Evergreen. Variegated forms. Prune hard. Many other low growing cultivars available.

Euphorbia characias 'Wulfenii'

 

X

               

Spring

 

1m

1m

Exotic look. Lime green flowers.

Fuschia species

 

X

X

X

X

X

       

Summer

 

1m

1m

Attracts Hummingbirds. Pick only hardy species.

F. 'Magellanica'

       

X

                   

F. 'Shapitor

'

     

X

                 

Pale pink.

Hypericum

St. John Wort

           

X

   

Summer

     

Only the following cultivars. No creeping St. John's Wort.

H. balcaricum

             

X

   

Summer

 

1m

1.5 m

 

H. kouytchense

             

X

   

Summer

 

60cm

75cm-1m

Semi evergreen.

Ilex crenata

Japanese holly.

Japanese box.

X

X

                 

1m

1m

Evergreen.

Lavandula

Lavender

X

               

Summer

 

1m

1m

Gray foliage, evergreen.

L. augustifolia

‘Hidcote’

 

X

             

X

Summer

 

75 cm

75 cm

 

L. augustifolia

‘Munstead’

 

X

             

X

Summer

 

60 cm

60 cm

 

L. stoechas

Spanish Lavender

X

             

X

Late Spr/summ

 

60 cm

60 cm

Rose purple bracts.

Lonicera 'nitida'

                       

1m

2m

Sprawls. Needs to be pruned. Easily controlled by pruning.

 

SHRUBS: Drought Tolerant Shrubs Plant Selection Guide

 

Blossom Colour

 

Botanical Name

Common Name

Sun

Shade

W

P

R

O

Y

B

P

Bloom Season

Soil

Height

Spread

Comments

White

Pink

Red

Orange

Yellow

Blue

Purple

Mahonia

Oregon Grape

                           

M. nervosa

 

X

X

       

X

       

1m

 

Expensive, slow to grow. Evergreen.

M. repens

 

X

X

       

X

       

1m

>1m

Evergreen.

Pinus Mugo

Mugo Pine, Dwarf Mountain Pine

                         

Pumilio Group is compact. Watch height.

Nandina domestica

Heavenly Bamboo

X

X

                 

1m

1m

 

N. 'Harbour Dwarf'

                           

Good cultivar. Ground cover.

Potentilla fruticosa

Cinquefoil.

X

X

X

X

X

 

X

   

Summer

 

1m

Varies

Easy care. Blooms all summer.

Rosemarinus officinalis

Rosemary

X

             

X

Summer

Very good drainage.

1m

1m

Must prune to keep height down.

Sarcocca hookeriana var. humilis

   

X

X

           

Winter

Organic soil.

50cm

1m

Evergreen. Very small fragrant flowers. Ground cover.

Spirea japonica

 

X

X

X

X

         

Spring

 

60cm-1m

60cm-1m

One cultivar has lime green foliage. Excellent easy care deciduous shrub. Hardy.

Symphoricarpos

Snowberry

X

X

X

           

Spring

     

Only the following cultivars. Nice white berries in winter. Needs pruning.

S. x chenaultii

'Hancock'

   

X

                 

1m

3m

 

S. Mollis

Creeping Snowberry

X

                   

60cm

2m

 

S. chamaedrys

                             

S. polium

                             

Teucrium

Germander

X

X

X

         

X

Summer.

Excellent drainage required.

15cm

15cm

Sharp drainage. Nice edging plant.

Thymus vulgaris

Common Thyme

X

X

                 

15-30 cm

25 cm

Evergreen.

T. vulgaris argenteus

Silver Thyme

X

X

                 

15-30 cm

25 cm

Variegated leaves, evergreen

ROSES: Drought Tolerant Roses Plant Selection Guide

 

Blossom Colour

 

Botanical Name

Common Name

Sun

Shade

W

P

R

O

Y

B

P

Bloom Season

Soil

Height

Spread

Comments

White

Pink

Red

Orange

Yellow

Blue

Purple

NO HYBRID TEAS

                             

NO GRANDIFLORAS

                             

NO ANTIQUE ROSES

                             

NO DAVID AUSTIN

                             

Rosa rugosa

R. 'Charles Abanel'

R. 'Henry Hudson'

Beach Rose

X

 

X

X

         

Summer

 

1m

 

Must pick dwarf cultivars

Meidiland Landscape Rose 'Alba'

 

X

 

X

                   

Low growing variety required.

Rosa pimpinellifolia

 

X

                       

Must be low growing select cultivars.

Rosa gymnacarpa

Native Wood Rose

X

   

X

                   



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Revised August 5, 2003

Published by City Farmer
Canada's Office of Urban Agriculture

cityfarmer@gmail.com