Drought Tolerant Trees and Shrubs

Ruppert Nurseries

Back in early spring, Maryland had more rainfall than we knew what to do with! We wrote articles and held discussions about trees and shrubs for wet areas. Now, in mid-summer, with heat indexes of over 100 degrees and minimal precipitation, we are wishing for the rain of seasons’ past. Using plants that can handle the temporary drought of these summer months can help our landscapes to look their best. We’ve put together a list of trees and shrubs that are drought tolerant. Drought tolerance is typically best seen after plants have been established.

Juniperus virginiana (Eastern Red Cedar)

Gymnocladus dioicus (Kentucky Coffee Tree)

Catalpa speciosa (Northern Catalpa)

Platanus x acerifolia (London Planetree)

Quercus macrocarpa (Burr Oak)

Quercus rubra (Red Oak)

Ilex sp. (Holly Trees)

Celtis occidentalis (Common Hackberry)

Cercis canadensis (Eastern Redbud)

Ginkgo biloba (Ginkgo Tree)

Parrotia persica (Persian Ironwood)

Liquidambar styraciflua (Sweetgum)

Quercus acutissima (Sawtooth Oak)

Acer sac. ‘Legacy’ (Legacy® Sugar Maple)

Viburnum sp. (Viburnum species)

Hamamelis virginiana (Witch-hazel)

Thuja pli. ‘Green Giant’ (Green Giant Arborvitae)

Zelkova sp. (Zelkova species)

Tilia tom. ‘Sterling Silver’ (Sterling Silver Linden)

Acer buergerianum (Trident Maple)

Acer rubrum (Red Maple)