8 Drought-Tolerant Plants a Pro Landscaper Swears By

Sedums come in a wide variety of species, ranging from succulents to flowering uprights. "Trailing sedums are really nice for something to hang over the side of a container to help soften straight lines, and being a succulent plant, they also don't need a lot of water," Freda says. Sedum species like Autumn Joy and Vera Jameson are some of Freda's favorite options of the flowering variety.

"Most ornamental grasses don't need as much water as other types of plants. They do really well in sunny, windy conditions," Freda recommends. While they're a better, low-water option than flowering shrubs, be careful not to let them totally dry out between waterings. They look great next to patios and walkways, and there are a ton of species to choose from.

For protecting your property from the sun and wind, you can't do much better than juniper, making it one of Freda's favorite picks for rooftop gardens. For uprights, she recommends Hetzi, Holywood, Robusta, and Blue Point. For lower shrubs, look for Sea Green, and you can even find trailing junipers like Blue Chip and Blue Rug. Combine all three for a juniper-filled oasis!

It can be hard to find flowering plants that don't require regular watering, but daylilies are the perfect, colorful option for your low-water garden. "Sort of like a cross between an ornamental grass and a perennial flower, day lilies don't need as much water as a lot of the bigger leaved perennials and flowering shrubs," Freda says, noting her favorite species is Stella D'oro. Another tip for finding drought-tolerant flowers? Ones with smaller, thinner leaves or needles tend to require less water, Freda says.

"I’ve seen many a pine tree survive on a roof with very little water," says Freda. "My favorite types of pines are Mugo and Japanese Black Pine." When considering pine trees, make sure your space allows for their full size. Some pine trees can grow up to 80 feet or more (given the right conditions), so smaller varieties like Freda's favorites are best for smaller spaces.

Whether you live in the North or South, there are a few options when it comes to everyone's favorite low-water plant: succulents. For warmer climates year-round, Freda recommends aloe and agave, which both come in a wide range of colors and shapes. If you live further north, try succulents like yuccas or hens and chicks for drought-tolerant but hardier succulents.

In addition to these no-fail recommendations, Freda has a few additional recommendations for spaces that experience a lot of sun all day. Plants like Russian sage, lavender, purple coneflower, lamb's ears, yarrow and blanket flower are all great for standing up to those rays of sunshine day in and day out. They're also excellent choices for attracting bees!

Shady areas can benefit from drought-tolerant plants as well. Look for plants like hostas, hellebores, columbine, ajuga, heuchera, astilbe, lamium, and Solomon's seal for spots in your garden that don't see a lot of sun. Combine drought tolerant with low sun and you've got yourself the perfect low-maintenance plant.