With water restrictions becoming more common and utility costs rising, drought-tolerant landscaping (xeriscaping) makes both environmental and financial sense. Here's a region-by-region guide to the best low-water plants.
Southwest (Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada)
Best performers include Agave (sculptural rosettes, virtually indestructible), Prickly Pear Cactus (native, produces edible fruit), Red Yucca (coral flower spikes attract hummingbirds), Desert Marigold (yellow flowers year-round), and Texas Sage (silver foliage, purple flowers after rain).
Southern California
Best performers include California Poppy (state flower, self-seeds), Lavender (fragrant, deer-resistant), Rosemary (culinary herb, blue flowers), Manzanita (red bark, evergreen), and California Lilac (blue flower clusters).
Texas
Best performers include Blackfoot Daisy (white flowers spring through fall), Flame Acanthus (orange tubular flowers), Mexican Feathergrass (fine-textured, movement), Autumn Sage (red, pink, or coral flowers), and Esperanza (yellow trumpet flowers).
Mountain West (Colorado, Utah)
Best performers include Penstemon (native, hummingbird magnet), Blue Grama Grass (native lawn alternative), Apache Plume (feathery seed heads), Rabbitbrush (yellow fall flowers), and Pinyon Pine (evergreen, edible seeds).
Design Tips for Drought-Tolerant Gardens
Use gravel or decomposed granite as mulch, group plants by water needs (hydrozoning), add boulders and rocks for visual interest, install drip irrigation for efficient watering, and leave space between plants for mature size.