Drought Tolerant Plants for Arizona: 7 Summer Yard Picks
We chose low-water color, shade help, and drought resistant ground cover that handles long heat spells. Start with our 15 Ground Cover Package for fast coverage.
What are the best drought tolerant plants for arizona to buy?
- 15 Ground Cover Package includes 10 bare-root plants for landscaping and flower gardens
- Ground cover plants stay under 12 inches and grow in zones 4-9
- Bellwort Plant offers yellow spring blooms in full sun to partial shade
- Bellwort works well in shade gardens and attracts pollinators
- Both picks are deer resistant and suited to low-maintenance summer yards
Drought Tolerant Perennials and Ground Covers for Dry Summer Yards
If you're planning with drought tolerant plants for arizona in mind, this group gives you fast coverage, spring color, and flexible planting for sun or partial shade. We paired a ground cover packa...
Plant a Low-Water Yard With Drought Tolerant Perennials and Shade Picks
If you're building with drought tolerant plants for arizona, start with plants that cover soil, handle heat, and fill tricky shade. We grouped these four picks for real yard jobs: spreading ground ...
Low-Water Layers for Hot, Sunny, and Shady Yard Spaces
When customers ask us about drought tolerant plants for arizona, we usually start with the ground layer first. Bare soil dries fast, heats up faster, and makes young trees work harder. So we pair a spreading base like our drought resistant ground cover in the 15 Ground Cover Package with compact bloomers and a few seasonal accents.
You do not need a huge budget to make a summer yard look finished. Our 15 Ground Cover Package is $24.99, ships now as bare-root plants, and includes 10 plants sized to stay under 12 inches. That low profile matters around trunks, path edges, and open beds where you want coverage instead of constant trimming.
What are the best drought tolerant plants for arizona to buy?
Start with plants that handle heat, spread where you need coverage, and fit your light conditions. In this group, the best mix is our 15 Ground Cover Package for open soil, Bellwort Plant for lighter shade, and 15 Flowering Plants when you want taller seasonal color.
drought tolerant perennials
We like perennials here because they return instead of asking you to replant every season. The 15 Flowering Plants collection ships as bare root, fits planting zones 3-9, and handles exposures from full sun to partial shade. Keep in mind, these mature over 12 inches, so they fill more visual space than the lower ground cover package.
How to choose the right drought tolerant plants for arizona?
Match the plant to the job. Use the 15 Ground Cover Package where you need low coverage in landscaping or flower gardens. Use Bellwort Plant in shade gardens, since it grows under 12 inches, blooms yellow in spring, and handles full sun to partial shade.
- For open, sunny soil: 15 Ground Cover Package with multicolor blooms and deer-resistant growth
- For shade garden plants: Bellwort Plant with spring flowers and butterfly-friendly use
- For layered summer color: 15 Flowering Plants for mixed blooms above 12 inches
- For natural finishing touches: Pine Cones - 3 Pack in small displays or decorative garden spots
"If your yard has both blazing sun and a cooler side bed, we would split the planting plan. Ground covers handle the exposed soil. Bellwort softens the shaded edges."
And one honest note. If you are planting around deep watering trees, leave space around the trunk so water can soak in instead of getting trapped right at the base. That is where the under-12-inch habit of the ground covers and Bellwort helps.
For customers building out a fuller border, we also use the Pine Cones - 3 Pack as a simple natural accent in porch pots or tucked into dry decorative beds. It is not a plant, of course, but it gives a finished look when your new planting still needs time to fill in.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best drought tolerant plants for arizona to buy for quick summer coverage?
For fast fill-in, we point customers to our drought resistant ground cover package. It stays under 12 inches, ships as bare-root plants, and works in planting zones 4-9. That low height helps soil stay shaded, which cuts moisture loss in hot weather. Keep in mind, bare-root plants need steady watering at the start, even when they are sold as easy care plants for hot weather.
How often should I water new plants during summer heat?
Water deeply, not lightly. We suggest soaking the root zone so moisture reaches down instead of sitting on the surface and drying out by noon. Our bare-root Bellwort Plant, Ground Cover Package, and 15 Flowering Plants all need closer attention right after planting. Once roots settle in, you can stretch the time between waterings. But in extreme heat, check the soil with your finger first. Dry two inches down means it is time to water again.
Which plants are easiest to establish when temperatures are high?
The easiest place to start is usually our 15 Ground Cover Package and Bellwort Plant. The ground covers are selected for landscaping use and low maintenance, while Bellwort is described as drought-tolerant and deer resistant. If you want more variety, our 15 Flowering Plants package gives you mixed perennials chosen for your zone. The tradeoff is simple: mixed packs give you range, but you will not know every exact species ahead of time.
Do you carry plants that work in shade as well as heat?
Yes. Our Bellwort Plant is one of our better picks for shade garden plants because it handles full sun to partial shade and stays under 12 inches. We also list it for shade gardens and butterfly use. If you want shade loving perennials for a tucked-away bed, Bellwort is the cleaner choice than a mixed pack because you know its bloom color is yellow and its exposure range is clearly listed.
Are these good picks for plants for zone 8b?
Yes, several fit well. Bellwort is listed for planting zones 3-9, and the Ground Cover Package is listed in zones 4-9, so both overlap with zone 8b. That makes them useful if you need summer-ready planting without guessing on compatibility. Our 15 Flowering Plants package is also sold for zones 3-9, but remember that the exact perennial mix is selected by zone.
How does shipping work for these plants?
We ship all items by 3-4 day ground shipping. Most of the plant listings here show "Ships Now," while Pine Cones - 3 Pack shows custom shipping information for June 2026. If you need help before ordering, reach us at customerservice@tennesseewholesalenursery.com. You can also contact us at Tennessee Wholesale Nursery, 12847 State Route 108, Altamont TN 37301, United States.
Do you accept returns or offer refunds?
We do not offer refunds, and we do not accept returns. We also do not offer a warranty on any product unless an extended warranty is purchased at the time of order. If there is an issue, we may offer a reshipment in qualifying cases. So, if you are planting in peak summer heat, order when you are ready to plant right away and water promptly after arrival.
Plant Your Drought Tolerant Plants for Arizona Before Peak Heat Hits
Now is the easier planting window. Our Ground Cover Package ships now and stays under 12 inches, while Bellwort handles partial shade and dry spells. Keep in mind, bare-root plants need prompt wate...
