When choosing the best ones for your yard, Karen Hugg, gardener and author of Leaf Your Troubles Behind, recommends looking to native plants first since you know they’ll be well-adapted to your climate. Brandy Hall, founder of Shades of Green Permaculture, adds that you can also look for plants that have deep root systems, succulent leaves, or other adaptations that allow them to thrive in dry and hot areas. Hardiness zones: Zones 8 to 10 (Southern states, California, Western Oregon, and Washington) Water needs: Water every 2-4 weeks Blooms in: Late spring Hardiness zones: Zones 6 to 9 (Most states except the Midwest, upstate New York, Maine, and Vermont) Water needs: Water every 1-2 weeks Blooms in: Late spring and summer Hardiness zones: Zones 3 to 10 (Most states) Water needs: Water every 1-2 weeks Blooms in: Late summer and fall Hardiness zones: Zones 3 to 9 (Most states) Water needs: Water every 2-3 weeks Blooms in: Late summer Hardiness zones: Zones 3 to 9 (Most states) Water needs: Water every 2-3 weeks Blooms in: Late summer Hardiness zones: Zones 4 to 9 (Most states except the upper Midwest) Water needs: Water every 3-4 weeks Blooms in: Early summer Hardiness zones: Zones 4 to 9 (Most states except the upper Midwest) Water needs: Water every 1-2 weeks Blooms in: Summer Hardiness zones: Zones 3 to 9 (Most states) Water needs: Water every 2 to 4 weeks Blooms in: Fall Hardiness zones: Zones 8 or 9 (Southern states, California) Water needs: Water every 2 to 4 weeks Blooms in: Every 5-10 years Hardiness zones: Zones 4 to 8 (Most states except the upper Midwest) Water needs: Every 2-3 weeks once mature Blooms in: N/A Hardiness zones: Zones 3 to 9 (Most states) Water needs: Water every 2 to 4 weeks Blooms in: Spring to fall Hardiness zones: Zones 5 to 10 (Most states excerpt the upper Northeast and Midwest) Water needs: Water every 2 to 3 weeks Blooms in: Late spring At the very least, a plant should be able to thrive in your USDA Hardiness Zone and not be considered invasive in your area. Emma received her B.A. in Environmental Science & Policy with a specialty in environmental communications from Duke University. In addition to penning over 1,000 mbg articles on topics from the water crisis in California to the rise of urban beekeeping, her work has appeared on Grist, Bloomberg News, Bustle, and Forbes. She’s spoken about the intersection of self-care and sustainability on podcasts and live events alongside environmental thought leaders like Marci Zaroff, Gay Browne, and Summer Rayne Oakes.
