Most plants prefer a moist, well drained soil. However, provided a plant is otherwise healthy, has had time to become established (normally one to two years after planting), and is provided appropriate cultural conditions (adequate soil drainage and aeration, mulch, moderate to low fertilization, proper pH, appropriate light level, etc.) those plants indicated as drought tolerant should be able to survive a moderate period of limited moisture (rainfall, irrigation). Drought tolerance does not mean the plants prefer hot, dry weather or that they will not be adversely affected by extended dry weather. Some decrease in growth or flowering can be expected during a period of limited moisture. Severe drought can result in increased insect and disease pressure, a decrease in leaf size and number, and a overall decline in growth rate and plant vigor. High temperatures and wind, heat and light reflection from near by hard surfaces, and high fertilization can increase the potentially damaging effects of low moisture on plant growth and survival. Fall planted trees and shrubs have demonstrated an increased ability to survive moderate moisture levels compared to those transplanted in the spring or summer.

Shrubs
Botanical (Scientific) Name Common Name E/D HT (Feet) Exposure
Abelia chinesis Chinese abelia Semi-E 5 to 7 Sun, partial shade
Abelia hybrids Edward Goucher, Little Richard, Sunrise, etc. Semi-E Varies Sun, partial shade
Abelia x grandiflora Glossy abelia Semi-E 3 to 6 Sun, partial shade
Abeliophyllum distichum White forsythia D 3 to 5 Sun, partial shade
Abies concolor (dwarf cultivars) White fir cvs. E Varies Sun, partial shade
Aesculus parvviflora Bottlebrush buckeye D 8 to 12 Sun, partial shade
Agava americana Century plant E 3 to 6 Sun
Amorpha canescens Leadplant D 2 to 4 Sun
Aucuba japonica Aucuba E 6 to 10 Partial shade
Berberis julianae Wintergreen barberry E 6 to 8 Sun, partial shade
Berberis koreana Korean barberry D 4 to 6 Sun, partial shade
Berberis thunbergii Japanese barberry D 3 to 6 Sun, partial shade
Berberis thunbergii var. atropurpurea Red barberry D 3 to 6 Sun, partial shade
Berberis triacanthophora Threespine barberry E 3 to 5 Sun, partial shade
Berberis verruculosa Warty barberry E 3 to 4 Sun, partial shade
Berberis x chenaultii Chenault barberry E 3 to 4 Sun
Berberis x gladwynensis ‘William Penn’ William Penn barberry E 3 to 4 Sun, partial shade
Berberis x mentorensis Mentor barberry D 5 Sun, partial shade
Buddleia davidii Butterfly-bush D 10 to 15 Sun
Buddleia lindleyana Lindley butterflybush E 4 to 6 Sun
Buddleia loricata - E 4 to 5 Sun
Buddleja alternifolia Alternate-leaf butterfly-bush D 10 to 20 Sun
Buddleja golbosa Orange ball tree Semi-E 10 to 15 Sun
Buxus harlandii Harland boxwood E 4 to 6 Sun
Buxus hybrids Green Mountain, Green Velvet, Wintergreen E 2 to 4 Partial shade
Buxus sempervirens Common boxwood E 15 to 20 Partial shade
Buxus sempervirens ‘Suffruticosa’ English boxwood E 2 to 4 Partial shade
Buxus sinica var. japonica Japanese boxwood E 3 to 6 Partial shade
Buxus sinics (B. microphylla) Little leaf boxwood E 3 to 4 Partial shade
Callicarpa americana American beautyberry D 3 to 8 Sun, partial shade
Callicarpa bodinieri Bodinier beautyberry D 6 to 10 Sun, partial shade
Callicarpa dichotoma Purple beautyberry D 3 to 4 Sun, partial shade
Callicarpa japonica Japanese beautyberry D 4 to 6 Sun, partial shade
Callistemon citrinus Lemon bottlebrush E 10 to 15 Sun
Camellia sasanqua Sasanqua camellia E 6 to 10 Sun, partial shade
Camellia sinensis Tea camellia E 4 to 6 Partial shade
Caryopteris x clandonensis Blue mist shrub, blue caryopteris D 2 to 3 Sun
Ceanothus americanus New Jersey tea D 3 to 4 Sun, partial shade
Ceanothus x pallidus Ceonothus D 3 to 4 Sun
Cedrus deodara (dwarf cultivars) Snow Sprite, Compacta, etc. E Varies Sun
Cephalotaxus harringtonia Japanese plum yew E 5 to 10 Partial shade
Choisya ternata Mexican-orange E 6 to 8 Sun, partial shade
Cornus sericea; (C. stolonifera) Redosier dogwood D 7 to 9 Sun, partial shade
Cotoneaster apiculatus Cranberry conteaster D 3 Sun, partial shade
Cotoneaster dammeri Bearberry contoneaster E 1 to 2 Sun
Cotoneaster divaricatus Spreading cotoneaster D 5 to 6 Sun
Cotoneaster horizontalis Rockspray contoneaster E 2 to 3 Sun
Cotoneaster lacteus Parney cotoneaster E 6 to 10 Sun, partial shade
Cotoneaster microphyllus Little-leaf cotoneaster E 2 to 3 Sun, partial shade
Cotoneaster salicifolia Willowleaf cotoneaster E 10 to 15 Sun, partial shade
Cytisus scoparius Scotch broom D 5 to 6 Sun, partial shade
Deutzia gracilis Slender deutsia D 3 to 4 Sun, partial shade
Deutzia hybrids Pink Minor, Strawberry Fields, Magician, etc. D 2 to 4 Sun, partial shade
Diervilla sessilifolia Southern bush-honeysuckle D 3 to 5 Sun, partial shade
Elaeagnus fruitlandi Elaeagnus E - Sun, partial shade
Elaeagnus pungens Thorny elaeagnus E 10 to 15 Sun, partial shade
Elaeagnus x ebbingii Elaeagnus E 8 to 10 Sun, partial shade
Eleagnus angustifolia Russian olive E 12 to 15 Sun, partial shade
Euonymus alatus Winged euonymus D 15 to 20 Sun
Euonymus americana Strawberry bush D 4 to 6 Partial shade
Euonymus japonicus Japanese euonymus E 5 to 10 Sun, partial shade
Euonymus kiautschovicus Spreading euonymus E 8 to 10 Sun, partial shade
Fontanesia fortunei Fortune’s fontanesia D 10 to 15 Sun, partial shade
Forsythia x hybrids Beatrix Farrand, Lynwood Gold, Golden Times, Spring Glory, etc. D Varies Sun, partial shade
Forsythia x intermedia Border forsythia D 8 to 10 Sun, partial shade
Fothergilla gardenii Dwarf fothergilla D 2 to 3 Sun, partial shade
Fothergilla major Large fothergilla D 6 to 12 Partial shade
Gardenia augusta (G. jasminoides) Gardenia E 4 to 6 Sun, partial shade
Genista pilosa Silky-leaf woadwaxen D 1 to 3 Sun
Hamamelis mollis Chinese witchhazel D 10 to 15 Partial shade to shade
Hamamelis vernalis Vernal witchhazel D - Sun, partial shade
Hydrangea quercifolia Oakleaf hydrangea D 4 to 6 Sun, partial shade
Ilex ‘Nellie R. Stevens’ Nellie Stevens holly E 15 to 25 Sun, partial shade
Ilex ‘Red Hollies’ Little Red, Robin, Festive, Cardinal, etc. E 10 to 15 Sun
Ilex cornuta Carissa, Burford, Rotunda, Needlepoint, etc. E 2 to 15 Sun
Ilex crenata cvs. Hetz, Helleri, etc. E 4 to 10 Sun, partial shade
Ilex decidua Possomhaw holly D 7 to 15 Sun, partial shade
Ilex glabra Inkberry holly E 6 to 8 Sun, partial shade
Ilex pernyi Perny holly E 9 to 12 Sun, partial shade
Ilex vomitoria cvs. Nana, Schillings, Katherine, etc. E Varies Sun, partial shade
Indigofera amblyantha Indigofera D 4 to 6 Sun
Indigofera heterantha Himalayan indigo D 4 to 6 Sun
Itea virginica Virginia sweetspire D 3 to 5 Sun, partial shade
Jasminum floridum Showy jasmine E 3 to 5 Sun, partial shade
Jasminum humile Italian yellow jasmine E 5 to 7 Partial shade
Jasminum nudiflorum Winter jasmine - 3 to 4 Sun, partial shade
Juniperous communis Common juniper E 5 to 10 Sun
Juniperous conferta cvs. Blue Lagoon, Blue Pacific, Boulevard, etc. E 1 to 2 Sun
Juniperous hybrids Saybrook Gold, etc. E Varies Sun
Juniperous procumbens Japanese garden juniper E .5 to 1.5 Sun
Juniperous rigida Needle juniper E 15 to 20 Sun
Juniperous sabina Savin juniper E 4 to 6 Sun
Juniperous scopulorum (dwarf cultivars) Blue Creeper, Skyrocket, etc. E Varies Sun
Juniperous squamata cvs. Holger, Blue Elf, Calgary Carpet, Blue Satr, etc. E Varies Sun
Juniperous virginiana cvs. Blue Mountain, Blue Cloud, Grey Owl, etc. E Varies Sun
Juniperous x media Seagreen, Old Gold, etc. E Varies Sun
Juniperus chinensis (dwarf cultivars) Procumbens Nana, Berkshire, Sargenti, Hetzi, etc. E 3 to 12 Sun
Juniperus davurica cvs. Parsons juniper E 2 to 3 Sun
Juniperus horizontalis Blue Vase, Blue Chip, Wiltonii, etc. E 1 to 2 Sun
Kalmia latifolia Mountain laurel E 4 to 8 Sun, partial shade
Kolkwitzia amabilis Beautybush D 6 to 10 Sun
Lagerstroemia indica and hybrids Crapemyrtle: New Orleans, Centennial, Chica, Tonto, Acoma, etc. D 5 to 15 Sun
Lantana camera Lantana, D 1 to 5 Sun
Lavandula angustifolia Common lavender E 1 to 2 Sun
Lavandula x intermedia Hybrid lavender E 1 to 2 Sun
Lespedeza thunbergii Thunberg lespedeza D 3 to 6 Sun
Lespedza bicolor Shrub bushclover D 6 to 10 Sun
Ligustrum japonicum Japanese privet E 6 to 12 Sun, partial shade
Ligustrum lucidum Waxleaf privet E 20 to 25 Sun, partial shade
Ligustrum x vicaryi Vicary golden privet E 10 to 12 Sun
Lindera benzoin Spice bush D 6 to 12 Sun, partial shade
Lindera erythrocarpa - D 15 to 20 Sun, partial shade
Lonicera fragrantissima Winter hineysuckle D 6 to 10 Sun, partial shade
Lonicera nitida Boxleaf honeysuckle E 6 to 8 Sun, partial shade
Lonicera pileata Privet honeysuckle E 2 to 3 Sun, partial shade
Loropetalum chinensis Loropetalum E 6 to 12 Sun, partial shade
Loropetalum hybrids Plum Delight, Ruby, Fire Dance, etc. E 4 to 10 Sun, partial shade
Mahonia aquifolium Oregon grape holly E 3 to 6 Partial shade
Mahonia bealei Leatherleaf mahonia E 6 to 7 Partial shade
Mahonia fortunei Chinese mahonia E 5 to 6 Partial shade
Mahonia x media Buckland, Charity, Faith, etc. E 8 to 15 Partial shade
Michelia figo Banana shrub E 6 to 10 Sun, Partial shade
Myrica cerifera Southern waxmyrtle E 10 to 15 Sun, partial shade
Myrica pensylvanica Northern bayberry E 5 to 12 Sun, partial shade
Nandina domestica Nandina E 6 to 8 Sun, partial shade
Perovskia atriplicifolia Russian sage E 3 to 5 Sun
Photinia serrulata Chinese photinia E 20 to 25 Sun, partial shade
Physocarpus opulifolius Ninebark D 5 to 10 Sun, partial shade
Picea abies (dwarf cultivars) Little Gem, Pendula, etc. E Varies Sun
Picea glauca (dwarf cultivars) Conica, etc. E Varies Sun
Picea pungens (dwarf cultivars) Globosa, Montgomery, etc. E Varies Sun
Pinus mugo (dwarf cultivars) Pumilio, Mughus E Varies Sun
Pinus sylvestris (dwarf cultivars) Nana, Hillside Creeper, etc. E Varies Sun
Pinus thunbergii (dwarf cultivars) Nana, Thunderhead E Varies Sun
Pittosporum tobira Japanese pittosporum E 10 to 12 Sun, partial shade
Podocarpus macrophyllus var. maki Shrubby podocarpus E 20 to 35 Sun, partial shade
Potentilla fruticosa Shrubby potentilla D 1 to 4 Sun, partial shade
Prunus glandulosa Flowering almond D 4 to 5 Sun, partial shade
Prunus laurocerasus English laurel E 10 to 18 Sun, partial shade
Punica granatum Pomegranate D 12 to 15 Sun, partial shade
Pyracantha coccinea Scarlet firethorne E 6 to 18 Sun
Pyracantha hybrids Mohave, Mojave, Red Elf, Tiny Tim, etc. E Varies Sun
Pyracantha koidzumii Formosa pyracantha E 8 to 12 Sun
Raphiolepis hybrids Gulfgreen, Cuppertone D 3 to 6 Sun
Rhamnus fragula Alder buckthorn D 10 to 12 Sun, partial shade
Rhaphiolepis x delacourii Indian hawthorn; yeddo hawthorn E 3 to 4 Sun, partial shade
Rhapidiophyllum hystrix Needle palm E 6 to 8 Sun, partial shade
Rhododendron austrinum Florida azalea D 8 to 10 Partial shade
Rhododendron calendulaceum Flame azalea D 4 to 8 Partial shade
Rhodotypos scandens Black jetbead D 3 to 6 Sun, partial shade
Rhus aromatica Sumac D 2 to 6 Sun, partial shade
Rhus glabra Smooth sumac D 10 to 15 Sun
Rhus michauxii Michaux’s sumac D 2 to 3 Sun
Rhus typhina Staghorn sumac D 15 to 25 Sun
Rosa chinensis China rose D 6 to 8 Sun
Rosa rugosa Rugosa rose D 4 to 6 Sun
Rosmarinus officinalis Rosemary E 2 to 4 Sun
Ruscus aculeatus Butcher’s broom E 1.5 to 3 Partial shade
Sabal minor Dwarf palmeto E - Sun
Santolina chamaecyparissus Santolina; lavender cotton E 1 to 2 Sun
Sarcoccoca ruscifolia Fragrant sarcococca E 2 to 3 Partial shade
Sarcococca confusa - E 3 to 5 Partial shade
Sarcococca hookeriana Himalayan sarcococca E 4 to 6 Partial shade
Sarcococca orientalis - E 2 to 3 Partial shade
Sarcococca ruscifolia Fragrant sarcococca E 3 Partial shade
Serissa foetida Japanese serissa Semi-E 3 to 4 Sun, partial shade
Sinojackia rehderiana Jacktree D 15 to 20 Sun, partial shade
Spiraea cantoniensis Double Reeves spirea D 4 to 6 Sun, partial shade
Spiraea nipponica ‘Snowmound’ Snowmound spirea D 3 to 5 Sun, partial shade
Spiraea prunifolia Bridalwreath spirea D 4 to 9 Sun, partial shade
Spiraea thunbergii Thunberg spirea D 3 to 5 Sun, partial shade
Spiraea x bumalda Bumalda spirea D 2 to 3 Sun, partial shade
Spiraea x vanhouttei Vanhoutte spirea D 6 to 8 Sun, partial shade
Spirea japonica Japanese spirea D 4 to 5 Sun, partial shade
Sycopsis sinensis Chinese fighazel E 10 to 15 Sun, partial shade
Syringa pekinensis Peking lilac D - Sun
Taxus chinensis Chinese yew E 5 to 10 Sun, partial shade
Teucrium chamaedrys Wall germander E 1 to 1.5 Sun
Viburnum acerifolium Maple-leaf viburnum D 4 to 6 Partial shade
Viburnum awabuki - E 10 to 15 Sun, partial shade
Viburnum pragense Pragense viburnum D 8 to 10 Sun, partial shade
Viburnum tinus Laurustinus E 6 to 12 Sun, partial shade
Viburnum x burkwoodii Burkwood viburnum D 8 to 10 Sun, partial shade
Viburnum x pragense Pragense viburnum E 8 to 10 Sun, partial shade
Viburnum x rhytidophylloides -- D 8 to 10 Sun, partial shade
Vitex agnus castus Chastetree D 15 to 20 Sun
Vitex negundo Chastetree D 10 to 20 Sun
Xanthorhiza simplicissima Yellowroot D 2 to 3 Sun, partial shade
Yucca filamentosa Adam’s needle yucca E 2 to 4 Sun
Yucca flaccida Weakleak yucca E 1 to 2 Sun
Yucca gloriosa Soanish dagger yucca E 6 to 8 Sun

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