Plant these tough-as-nails selections for gardens that shine no matter the weather.
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Mother Nature is unpredictable.
Despite our best efforts, record-breaking rainfall events or severe heat and drought can take their toll on plants.
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Whats a gardener to do in the face of such extremes?
They tolerate a range of growing conditions and thrive without pampering.
Provide supplemental irrigation as needed during the first year after planting to develop a robust root system.
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Daylily
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Dayliliesare surprisingly tough plants.
Daylilies thrive in the heat and humidity of Southern gardens and are highly salt tolerant.
Divide daylily clumps every three to four years for best performance.
Credit:John Ruter, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org
Plants can be used on slopes to provide excellent erosion control and tolerate heat and humidity.
They add vertical structure and airy seedheads to the garden aesthetic.
This tough shrub puts on a stunning spring display, with showy rose-like blooms lining gracefully arching branches.
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Modern varieties are thornless and disease resistant.
They go dormant during the most challenging times of the year and otherwise require very little care.
Their one requirement is well-draining soil to prevent bulbs from rotting.
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Plants flower on and off throughout the season followed by a magnificent autumn display.
The tubular blooms attracthummingbirds and butterflies while the aromatic foliage remains evergreen through much of its range.
Plants resist browsing deer and rabbits and tolerate coastal conditions.
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Russian sage thrives on hot, dry sites in any soil and tolerates deer and rabbit browsing.
Despite their native habitat in moist woods and along stream banks, plants tolerate dry soil and drought.
The showy, long-lasting blooms make excellent cut flowers and attract pollinators to the garden.
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Seeds are eaten by songbirds in autumn, when foliage takes on gleaming red and purple hues.
The red fruits cling to branches through most of the winter until songbirds strip them late in the season.
Plants flower summer through fall, bringing months of vibrant red color to the garden.
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The uniquely twisted flowers support hummingbirds and butterflies, while bright red fall fruits are favored by songbirds.
Numerous cultivated varieties are available, exhibiting compact growth and/or unique flower colors.
With good tolerance to air pollution, hellebores also make great urban plantings.
Credit:Charles T. Bryson, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Bugwood.org
Fragrant Sumac
Named for its lemon-scented foliage, this native shrub is a real problem solver.
Blooms stand atop sturdy stems and make excellent cut flowers.
Upright, sword-shaped foliage provides interesting structure and texture to any garden.
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The ferny foliage spreads to create a gorgeous groundcover that remains evergreen in mild climates.
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