Dry Lush

Dry lush: a concise orientation before we get practical.

Dry lush: Quick notes

Recently a friend suggested a blog post topic: Dry garden with a lush feel. I had to really ponder which plants fit into the lush category as mine is a primarily dry garden. Thus, the lush angle is not one I intentionally aim for (though I appreciate wholeheartedly). Arguably, larger foliage plants tend to feel more lush, as tropical plants that come from high rainfall areas of the world generally have larger leaves. Many if not most of the plants in my garden are drought-adapted. They are also mostly small-leaved. Silver foliaged plants feature heavily, another adaptation to dry conditions – think Brachyglottis greyi, Teucrium fruticosum and Atriplex halimus to name a few here at Chickadee Gardens. The challenge then is to find plants in which leaf color, arrangement pattern, fullness and plant habit contribute to a verdant feel. Also, I want to point out a few larger-leaved choices that can take summer dry conditions. OK, Robert, my friend, challenge accepted: This is my take on dry + lush.

SUN LOVERS

Amsonia hubrichtii is a completely deciduous perennial with the softest, greenest foliage topped with pale blue stars in spring. Of course, the autumn foliage color is spectacular in clear golds and oranges, but for spring and summer color this touchable, soft perennial is a must. It’s incredibly adapted to dry conditions with a deep tap root. Its blowsy presence also adds a bit of softness.

Tetrapanax papyrifer is a dinosaur of a plant that definitely looks tropical. While it will take water and richer soil, it is sited here in my very dry labyrinth garden, and that likely also helps it from running too much, a trait for which it is often scolded. But those leaves! I don’t mind a runner or two. And even if it dies back or I lose a trunk or two in winter, it inevitably returns.

Cotinus ‘Grace’ – cotinus or smokebush in general are very drought-adapted and look at those oval/round leaves! You would be forgiven for thinking this is a water-loving, high-maintenance plant but the truth is it does well in very dry conditions and has very few issues. It can be chopped back hard to keep its size in check or left to get large and glorious. Great autumn color on this one, too. Many cultivars from which to choose, ‘Grace’ happens to be a popular and lovely shrub.

Miabilis multiflora, Colorado four o’clock, a plant I never water. This is one plant though it feels like several. It grows from a single point and cascades out. I am told it forms a giant tuber which is likely why it doesn’t require summer water. Very soft foliage and cute flowers that close up when the sun goes down. Grow this from seed if it’s not available at your local nursery, really quite easy and forgiving. It’s great as a filler and goes around other plants.

Baptisia ‘Wayne’s World’ – that smoky colored stem with bright green foliage is a favorite of mine. None of the three baptisias or false indigos in my garden receive summer irrigation. They form a very deep tap root and have soft, bright green foliage. They look fussy and thirsty but are not.

Miscanthus sinensis ‘Cabaret’ is a beacon of light with soft green and variegated white foliage. Micanthus are large grasses with quite a presence but the rewards, even in a small garden, are great. Many take on fabulous autumn colors and stay standing well through winter providing shelter for birds. They never get summer water but give a lush feel to the garden for certain.

Miscanthus sinensis ‘Malepartus’ is another fabulous miscanthus, also very upright, stunning autumn foliage color and no summer water plus lovely flowers, something I have never had on any of the several Miscanthus ‘Cabaret’. They anchor whatever spot they are planted in.

Melianthus major, South African honey bush is very drought adapted once established. Though they can get tattered in a bad winter, they are generally low maintenance otherwise. Their large, peanut-butter scented leaves (really) give a tropical vibe while being very drought adapted.

Stachys ‘Hummelo’ is an impressive little perennial that like so many other plants gets little to no summer irrigation yet keeps on looking great. Add it for a pop of color in a dry garden or mixed border where it is equally charming.

Lonicera involucrata on the left is our native twinberry, a multi-stemmed deciduous shrub. While it doesn’t have a tropical vibe, it does stay dark green with clean, good foliage all season long with no summer water once established. As a bonus, the birds and bees love this one.

If you’re not in a cold pocket, figs can add so much to both the edible and ornamental landscape. Their large leaves are lush and the fruit, if perfectly ripe, is divine. This is Ficus ‘Petite Negra’, a wonderfully dwarf fig that fits well into a variety of garden styles. It is even good in a container. There are a lot of great introductions out there for better cold hardiness, so check with your local nurseries for suitable choices.

Quercus hypoleucoides – silver oak, while it does have the silver vibe, I want to add evergreen oaks here because they are, for the most part, very drought adapted and species with green leaves can be a good choice for the dry lush garden. At Cistus Nursery we grow so many, be sure to check our website.

Bupleurum fruticosum is so interesting to me. It’s evergreen, has rubbery looking soft leaves, sulfur yellow flowers that attract ALL the insects, can grow in sun to part shade and can be pruned. And it never gets water. Winner all around.

Digitalis ferruginea is a perennial foxglove with dark green, semi-wavy leaves. Its basal foliage is evergreen and while it looks fussy, it’s an easy plant with quite a tall (7′) presence, making the dry meadow area feel fuller.

Vitis vinifera ‘Purpurea’ is an ornamental grape with interesting dark leaves. Large leaves look to be thirsty but as we all know, grapes love the sun and are perfectly adapted to dry, poor soil. Any grape will do in my book.

Arctostaphylos manzanita ‘Saint Helena’ showing new fresh foliage. While many arctostaphylos are certainly silver-leaved and look perfectly at home in summer dry regions on the West Coast, there are a few whose leaf color feels as if it wants summer water. While they do not want summer water they look fresh and wonderful.

Grevillea ‘Neil Bell’ does feel Australian and perhaps gives off dry garden vibes, but those abundant flowers feel tropical so I include it here. Mine is a huge shrub at about 7′ x 10′ roughly and never ever gets summer water. Watch out or you’ll get dive bombed by resident hummingbirds defending their shrub.

Acca sellowiana, pineapple guava, is a South American evergreen shrub that, once established, is very drought adapted. Its ovate leaves are handsome with a good green color and its flowers are pink with sweet tasting petals. Give it good water until established.

While loads of annual flowers add a splash of color, none are more prolific and healthy looking with zero water in my garden than calendula. In fact, they are a bit of a nuisance in my veggie garden but a good nuisance. As a bonus, the petals can be dried for a variety of herbal tinctures, salves and teas.

SUN TO PART SHADE

Abelia x grandiflora ‘Francis Mason’ is an evergreen shrub for sun to part shade. It’s so easy, very low water requirements and can be pruned. Its oval, pointed leaves are attractive and lend a little lush vibe to the edge of my shade garden. When in more sun, the leaves of this particular cultivar are warm gold colors.

Pittosporum tenuifolium ‘Irene Patterson’, a shrub in shade that has been with me for many years. It is evergreen and rarely gets any summer water – only residual from sprinklers on thirstier plants but nothing direct. There are so many other species and cultivars of pittosporum, all of which, once established, have proven to be incredibly summer drought adapted in my garden. I’ve recently added several Pittosporum ‘Sappy’ in my garden and they have been very easy and adaptable. Most descriptions for pittosporum say even summer moisture, but I have had excellent success with these on very little summer water planted under fir trees.

Osmanthus heterophyllus ‘Rotundifolius’ and most osmanthus in general are another genus of evergreen shrubs that have been successful in shade to sun in my garden on very low water. ‘Rotundifolius’ with more rounded and less spiny leaves has a boxwood feel to it.

Osmanthus x fortunei ‘San Jose’ is another fabulous osmanthus, this with larger, longer leaves which mature to a smoother margin, is fabulous. I have many throughout my garden in a variety of settings. Here it is pictured with berries from Berberis jamesiana. This particular plant was a throw away from a local nursery, I saved it for 5 bucks and look at it now. Oh, and osmanthus have fragrant flowers too.

SHADE LOVERS

Polystichum munitum is a large evergreen fern native to the western U.S. Although it is common where we live, it is also lovely, large and very drought adapted growing fine under thirsty trees in its natural habitat. It therefore makes a great addition to my dry shade garden where it is abundant.

Another Polystichum, this P. setiferum ‘Bevis’, another wonderful fern that has a rain forest vibe but without all the water. Literature I read online suggests it wants evenly moist soil in summer, but these do fine under fir trees without evenly moist soil.

Sarcococca ruscifolia is another evergreen goodie for dry shade. Its waxy looking leaves are broad and lustrous, its fragrance in winter is fantastic.

Gaultheria shallon, salal (behind the grasses center and on the right) is a native shrub to the West Coast of Canada and U.S. as far south as California. It’s very easy, forgiving and loved by florists for its broad, attractive leaves. It feels lush, especially in our temperate forests of the Pacific Northwest and has a definite place in the garden. A bonus is that its berries are edible and nutrient rich.

Schefflera delavayi with its large tropical looking leaves definitely has a place in the lush garden. Preferring part shade and summer water to get established, it does remarkably well in my dry shade garden.

Schefflera taiwaniana, another fabulous schefflera that reaches 10 or so feet tall, hardy to it’s said zone 7 and I believe it. Definitely has that tropical vibe. Both species have been wonderful in both dry summer shade and very cold and wet winters.

Hosta ‘Guacamole’ is good. I’m no hosta aficionado, but I do think this is one of the best. It’s very large leaved and once established, doesn’t shrink from dry soil. It rises tall above the ground so slugs have left this alone. Its flowers are very fragrant, a bonus I did not expect.
Fatsia japonica ‘Spider’s Web’ (and any Fatsia japonica, actually) with its large, palmate leaves plays so well with other shade lovers and is a great contrast to smaller leaved plants. Once established it doesn’t mind dry soil, adding a touch of tropics to the dry shade garden.

Aucuba japonica ‘Gold Variegated Sport’ has really large leaves, a bit of sparkle due to the variegation and handles dry shade like a champ. The only complaint is that it’s so slow growing for me, probably because I don’t water it. But doesn’t it look like it wants a ton of water? It doesn’t. Any Aucuba japonica will do, this happens to be a pretty one I got from Joy Creek Nursery years ago.

A plant that screams large and lush is Acanthus – A. mollis, A. spinosus are two examples I have here at Chickadee Gardens. The issue is that when hot afternoon sun hits them the foliage wilts – even if it perks up by the time cooler temps roll in during the evening. They can go kind of summer dormant, too, so really not a reliable plant for me for summer lushness, though many of you may have better luck with them. Of the two, A. spinosus is definitely the more drought tolerant.

Another consideration for a lush dry summer garden is to simply plant drought adapted plants close together. Density makes for a sense of fullness and abundance. That is the way plants grow in tropical climes, lushly and thickly, so mimicking those patterns is a trick to help those of us with dry summers not only achieve a satisfying look but it also helps to cover the ground which aids in keeping moisture from evaporating. It’s a win-win.

Let’s get the conversation rolling – what plants would you add to this list? I’m certain there are others in my garden that I have missed, but it’s a start. Let us know what you would add. I think it’s a valid challenge that Robert brings me, that is to say we are dry and getting drier every summer and not everyone wants a desert look or even the kind of dry garden I have. Some want a lush look but watering restraints prevent green lawns and an abundance of hydrangeas. So let’s share ideas.

That’s a wrap for this week at Chickadee Gardens. As always, thank you SO much for reading and commenting, we do love hearing from you all. And thank you all for your wonderfully kind and loving comments regarding the loss of my mother. You are a great community and I appreciate all of you. You’ve made a difference helping me know that I’m not alone. Happy gardening, everyone.

Here’s an additional treat: I’ve heard some amazing suggestions from so many of you, thank you! A friend on Instagram, pdxyokaigarden suggested the following: Manihot grahamii, Brassiopsis, Pittosporum tobira, and Mahonia euryobracteata. A friend I follow on Bluesky, Joe Seals, posted these recommendations – he’s a fabulous resource all around, check out his substack here – Joe Seals:

LUSH-LOOKING PLANTS FOR DRY SPOTS IN THE PNW GARDEN

TREES

Acer negundo ‘Sensation’ – SEEDLESS BOXELDER

Calocedrus decurrens – INCENSE-CEDAR ❖

Cephalotaxus harringtonia – JAPANESE PLUM YEW

Chrysolepis chrysophylla – GOLDEN CHINQUAPIN ❖

Cotinus obovatus – AMERICAN SMOKE TREE

Embothrium coccineum – CHILEAN FIRETREE

Eucalyptus neglecta – OMEO GUM

Ficus johannis ssp. afghanistanica – AFGHAN FIG

Picea breweriana – BREWER’S WEEPING SPRUCE ❖

Taxus species (most) – YEW

SHRUBS

Amorpha nana – FRAGRANT DWARF FALSE INDIGO

Carpenteria californica cultivars – BUSH ANEMONE

Ceanothus thyrsiflorus – BLUEBLOSSOM, CALIFORNIA LILAC ❖

Comptonia peregrina – SWEETFERN

Fatsia japonica – JAPANESE FATSIA

Garrya elliptica – SILK-TASSEL❖

Grevillea ‘Canterbury Gold’ – CANTERBURY GOLD GREVILLEA

Grevillea ‘Marshall Olbrich’ – MARSHALL OLBRICH GREVILLEA

Grevillea miqueliana var. moroka – ROUND-LEAF GREVILLEA

Grevillea ‘Neil Bell’ – NEIL BELL GREVILLEA

Grevillea ‘The Precious’ – THE PRECIOUS GREVILLEA

Grevillea victoriae – ROYAL GREVILLEA

Ilex x meserveae – MESERVE HOLLY

Osmanthus delavayi – DELAVAY TEA-OLIVE

Viburnum ‘Moonlit Lace’ – MOONLIT LACE VIBURNUM

GROUNDCOVERS

Ceanothus prostratus – PROSTRATE CEANOTHUS ❖

Erigeron pulchellus var. pulchellus – ‘Lynnhaven Carpet’ CARPET FLEABANE

Mahonia repens – CREEPING OREGON-GRAPE ❖

Sedum tetractinum – CHINESE STONECROP

PERENNIALS & BULBS

Aloiampelos (Aloe) striatula – HARDY ALOE

Aspidistra elatior – CAST IRON PLANT

Baptisia hybrids – FALSE INDIGO

Clematis fremontii – FREMONT’S LEATHER FLOWER

Commelina tuberosa – BLUE SPIDERWORT

Dracocephalum argunense (or D. austriacum) – DRAGON’S HEAD

Epimedium wushanense – EVERGREEN EPIMEDIUM

Fascicularia bicolor, including F. b. ssp. canaliculata (F. pitcairnifolia) – BROMELIAD

Gazania linearis – TREASURE FLOWER

Helictotrichon sempervirens – BLUE OAT GRASS

Helleborus foetidus – BEAR’S-FOOT HELLEBORE

Hylotelephium (Sedum) ‘Vera Jameson’ – PURPLE AUTUMN SEDUM

Melianthus major including ‘Antonow’s Blue’, ‘Purple Haze’ – HONEYBUSH

Rhodanthemum (Chrysanthemum) hosmariense – MOROCCAN DAISY

Vernonia lettermannii – THREADLEAF IRONWEED

❖ = PNW native plant

A short mention of Dry lush helps readers follow the flow.

We reference Dry lush briefly to keep the thread coherent.