10 Drought-Tolerant Flowers That Bloom in Spring

Peony Sorbet in ombre pink tones — Credit:
Olga Ionina / Getty Images

A beautiful flower garden may seem like it requires a lot of maintenance to flourish, and while this is true for some plants, others seem to take care of themselves. After becoming established, many flower varieties are drought-tolerant, surviving with minimal watering. For a beautiful spring garden you can enjoy with little labor, we're sharing expert-recommended drought-tolerant flowers that bloom in spring.

Damon Abdi of the Hammond Research Station at Louisiana State University's AgCenter
Kelly Funk, president and CEO of Jackson & Perkins
Mary Phillips, head of native plant habitat strategy and certifications at the National Wildlife Federation

01 of 10

Angelonia

Summer snapdragon in pink blooms — ouchi_iro / Getty Images

Angelonia (Angelonia angustifolia) is also known as summer snapdragon for its snapdragon-like blooms that come in various colors, including white, blue, pink, and purple, says horticultural expert Damon Abdi. It's grown as a warm-season annual in most places, and as a tender perennial in regions without winters.

Zones: 9 to 11
Size: 12 to 18 inches tall x 6 inches wide
Care requirements: Full sun to partial shade; well-draining soils

02 of 10

Blanket Flower 'Arizona Red Shades'

Red and yellow blanket flower — skymoon13 / Getty Images

This drought-tolerant blanket flower (Gaillardia) variety is vibrant and long-blooming. "'Arizona Red Shades' features rosy-red blooms tipped in bright yellow," says Kelly Funk, president and CEO of Jackson & Perkins. "Each flower can grow up to 4 inches wide, with multiple layers of petals creating a striking display." This compact plant blooms from late spring until frost, filling sunny gardens with non-stop color.

Zones: 3 to 10
Size: 12 inches tall x 10 to 14 inches wide
Care requirements: Full sun; well-draining, normal, loamy, sandy soils

03 of 10

Coneflower

Echinacea pink coneflowe — Mieneke Andeweg-van Rijn / getty images

Coneflower (Echinacea) is a native plant that is extremely drought-tolerant, thriving in various growing conditions. For a unique variety, consider Baja Burgundy Coneflower. "A compact and prolific bloomer, 'Baja Burgundy' coneflower showcases deep terracotta-maroon flowers that stand out in any garden or container," says Funk. "Its dense, tidy habit keeps it looking fresh all season, while its strong, upright stems make it a fantastic cut flower." It's perfect for containers, borders, and pollinator gardens.

Zones: 4 to 9
Size: 22 to 24 inches tall x 18 to 20 inches wide
Care requirements: Full sun; well-draining, normal, loamy, sandy soils

04 of 10

Peony 'Sorbet'

Known for its ability to thrive for generations, this peony variety (Peony lactiflora 'Sorbet') is drought-tolerant once established. "A lush and elegant double-flowered peony, 'Sorbet' boasts large blooms with three layers of soft pastel petals in pink, cream, light yellow, and white," says Funk. "The deep green foliage emerges reddish in spring, providing multi-season interest, before transforming to bronze and purple in fall."

Zones: 3 to 8
Size: 36 inches tall x 30 inches wide
Care requirements: Full sun to partial shade; well-draining soils

05 of 10

Phlox 'Amazing Grace'

Amazing Grace Creeping Phlox flowers — Nahhan / Getty Images

Phlox 'Amazing Grace' is a charming, low-growing perennial that boasts bright white flowers with a striking purple center. It blooms in late spring to early summer, forming a dense, spreading mat of needle-like green foliage. "This evergreen plant attracts butterflies and adds a burst of color to any sunny bed or border," says Funk, adding that it's very low-maintenance and drought-tolerant once established.

Zones: 3 to 9
Size: 48 inches tall x 18 inches wide
Care requirements: Full sun; well-draining, normal, loamy, sandy soils

06 of 10

Frogfruit

Phyla nodiflora in bloom — seven75 / Getty Images

Frogfruit (Phyla nodiflora) is a low-maintenance ground cover that serves as a larval host plant to several species of butterflies, including the common buckeye, says Mary Phillips, head of native plant habitat strategy and certifications at the National Wildlife Federation. It forms clusters of pinkish-white, verbena-like blooms from May to November.

Zones: 7 to 11
Size: 3 to 6 inches tall x 36 to 48 inches wide
Care requirements: Full sun to partial shade; loamy, clay, or sandy soil

07 of 10

Orange Butterfly Milkweed

Orange butterfly milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa) boasts bright green, lance-shaped leaves and clusters of bright orange, tubular blooms that beautifully fill the garden. Once established, it's drought-tolerant and a larval host plant for the monarch butterfly, says Phillips.

Zones: 3 to 9
Size: 12 to 36 inches tall x 12 to 18 inches wide
Care requirements: Full sun; loamy to sandy soil

08 of 10

Yarrow

With plumes of feathery, fern-like foliage and clusters of small white blooms with pink centers, yarrow (Achillea millefolium) can withstand minimal watering once established. Avoid overwatering yarrow, as this can lead to root rot or powdery mildew, says Phillips.

Zones: 7 to 11
Size: 3 to 6 feet tall x 3 to 4 feet wide
Care requirements: Full sun to partial shade; loamy, clay, sandy soils

09 of 10

Lavender

Lavender (Lavandula) is a mounding shrub with blueish-purple flowers. There are many different drought-tolerant varieties, including Spanish and French lavender, which bloom in spring, and English lavender, which blooms in summer. No matter the variety, prune lavender after the flowers fade to support re-bloom, says Abdi.

Zones: 5 to 9
Size: 1 to 3 feet tall x 1 to 3 feet wide
Care requirements: Full sun; well-draining, sandy soils

10 of 10

Eastern Bluestar

Eastern bluestar (Amsonia tabernaemontana) forms blue-white flower clusters in spring. "The foliage is also attractive, turning a golden color in fall," says Abdi. "You can prune after spring flowering to half the height to create a bushier growth form."