Top 5 Short, Sunny, Drought-Tolerant Native Plants

(I know. I know. Sometimes my blogs can be just a tad wordy. I really can't help it. There is so much to say about native plants! But, here is my attempt at writing a succinct, "just the plants, ma'am," post about, well... plants.)

Summer will get here, eventually, and our warm, dry, short winter suggests we may be in for a hot, dry, long summer. Properly chosen native plants should not need irrigation after the plants are established in their new home, but sunny, dry sites can be a challenge. Here are our top picks for hot sun from our new Short Stuff Collection:

1. Hairy Beardtongue

Although "hairy" in this case refers to the fuzzy patches on the "tongue" or bottom petal of these little flowers, having hairy stems and leaves is an adaptation that can help plants retain moisture in dry conditions, and is a trait seen in several of the plants on this list. The copious tubular flowers of Hairy Beardtongue attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Planting them in a mass will make them a dramatic feature and will make the stop a popular one for any passing hummingbird. This is one of the earliest summer flowers to bloom in the U.P., earning it our Number 1 spot in today's list of Short, Drought-Tolerant native plants. More Here.

2. Nodding Wild Onion

We have a wild onion native to Michigan, and yes, you can eat it! The bulbs are small, and using them obviously kills the plant, so unless thinning is needed, use the leaves like you would chives. Bonus: that same onion flavor makes it deer-resistant. Nodding Wild Onion is also great for bumblebees and hummingbirds - the nodding flowers reserve their nectar for these most acrobatic pollinators. Flowers range from white to light pink to almost purple and are held on arching stems above low foliage. More Here.

3. Wild Petunia

"Petunia? How plebeian", you may say. But our Wild Petunia resembles their pesticide-soaked, genetically-convoluted box store namesakes in shape only; they aren't even in the same plant family. Wild Petunia is rich in pollen and nectar and has a tube-shaped blossom that reserves the goodies for long-tongued bees and butterflies. It is even a host plant for the Common Buckeye butterfly. Wild Petunia is very drought tolerant and will keep on blooming through the heat of summer when other plant fade. More Here.

4. Lanceleaf Coreopsis

Assorted Butterflies on Coreopsis

Let's take a little break from lavender and jump boldly into the summer yellow of Lanceleaf Coreopsis. This plant is a true Yooper and loves the sandy soils of our ancient lake bottoms. Like Nodding Wild Onion, Coreopsis foliage is low and mounding with most of the height consisting of flower stalks topped with large, sunny-yellow flowers. The large platform-like flowers offer a buffet of easy resources for many types of native bees, including one who specializes just on this plant, as well as moths, butterflies, and other pollinators. Reseeds vigorously and is great for meadows, even over septic fields. Try this plant where nothing else will grow. More Here.

5. Spotted Bee Balm

For even more color variation, try Spotted Bee Balm. This member of the Monarda family has unusual, multi-tiered flower structures consisting of rings of bracts that range from mint green to white to bright pink. Nestled above the bracts are rings of snapdragon-like flowers, creamy white speckled with brown, and each topped with an arching stamen designed to paint the "shoulder blades" of pollinators with pollen for delivery to the next flower. This short-lived perennial likes it sandy, and needs bare soil to reseed for future years. One of my favorites. Learn more Here.

Ready to try these drought-tolerant plants in your summer garden? All 5 are on sale this week only - sale ends May 5, 2024. Check them out on our Featured & On Sale page!

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Native Plant Sales

Looking for plant sales near you? Check out our schedule Here.

• Pre-orders for the Keweenaw Wild Bird REC June 1 Hancock sale end May 20. Don't delay! Get your orders in here. Our Hummingbird Garden Kit, featuring several of these drought-tolerant species, is only available through this sale. Pickup for this sale also available in Marquette by appointment.

• Several of the other upcoming sales, including Marquette, Alger, Chip/Luce/Mac, and Gogebic (Watersmeet) Conservation Districts, are also accepting pre-orders now.

• Be sure to click the RSVP button for any plant sale you plan to attend. It helps us gauge interest, gives us a way to notify you of any cancelations or changes, and gets you a quick reminder email so you don't have to live with any summer (plant-related) regrets. Remember, social media companies serve their own interests. They do not care if you see a reminder post three days after the sale. To make sure you get your reminder in time to attend, RSVP.

• Ordering on our website is always a great way to get exactly what you want, without worrying about whether we will have it at a plant sale, or trying to beat the rush before it is sold out. Because of the warm spring, we expect to start filling orders early this year (depending on species). First orders will go out MAY 1 <insert Trumpet Fanfare>. The time to order is now.

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I hope you enjoyed this quick round-up of some top drought-resistant plants. Sale ends soon, so check out these hot plants while it's still cool!

Shop Sale Now

As always, thanks for planting native plants!