Native Plants for Xeriscaping/ Hard-to-grow Spots 
Shallow Soils, Gravelly, Rocky, Sandy, Dry

Create a drought-tolerant, eco-friendly garden with these hardy Ontario native plants. These plants can grow in sandy, gravelly, well-drained nutrient-poor soils, require minimal watering, and attract birds, butterflies and other pollinators.

TIPS

• Start small: Focus on one area before expanding.
• Incorporate hardscapes like rocks or gravel to enhance design and reduce water needs.
• Consider seasonal interest: Mix plants with varied bloom times and foliage textures.
• Plant species together in groups of 3 or more for a better show.
• They will need some watering until established.

Native Shrubs for Xeriscaping

• Buffaloberry (Shepherdia canadensis): A drought-tolerant shrub with silvery foliage that grows well in dry, rocky soils. Its small red berries support birds.
• Common Juniper (Juniperus communis): Evergreen shrub that thrives in dry, rocky, well-drained soils. Blue berries feed birds in winter.
• Creeping Juniper (Juniperus horizontalis): A low-growing, spreading evergreen shrub that thrives in dry, rocky, well-drained soils. Its blue-green foliage and small berries provide winter interest and sustain wildlife. Ideal for ground cover in xeriscaped landscapes.
• Fragrant Sumac (Rhus aromatica): A drought-tolerant, low-growing shrub with trifoliate leaves. Its small red berries feed birds in winter and thrive in dry, well-drained soils.
• Gray Dogwood (Cornus racemosa): A hardy shrub that tolerates dry soils and provides clusters of white berries that attract migrating birds in the fall.
• Leadplant (Amorpha canescens): A nitrogen-fixing shrub that grows well in dry, poor soils. Its purple flower spikes attract pollinators and tolerate drought conditions.
• New Jersey Tea (Ceanothus americanus): This compact, drought-tolerant shrub prefers dry, sandy soils and attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies with its white flowers.
• Ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius): A drought-resistant shrub that grows in dry, well-drained soils and has peeling bark with white flowers for pollinators.
• Snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus): Prefers dry, sandy soils and produces white berries that add winter interest and provide food for wildlife.
• Sand Cherry (Prunus pumila): Thrives in well-drained, sandy soils and produces small cherries enjoyed by wildlife.
• Staghorn Sumac (Rhus typhina): Grows well in dry, poor soils and produces striking red fruit clusters, which are a winter food source for birds.
• Shrubby Cinquefoil (Dasiphora fruticosa): Ideal for xeriscaping, this drought-tolerant shrub thrives in poor, sandy soils and produces vibrant yellow flowers all summer, supporting pollinators and adding long-lasting color to dry landscapes.

Native Wildflowers for Xeriscaping

• Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa): Vibrant orange blooms thrive in dry, well-drained soils and attract monarchs and bees.
• Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta): This hardy biennial tolerates dry conditions and produces cheerful yellow blooms throughout the summer.
• Pale Corydalis (Corydalis sempervirens): A drought-tolerant, self-seeding biennial with delicate pink flowers.
• Early Goldenrod (Solidago juncea): A compact golden flower that blooms in dry, sandy soils and supports pollinators.
• Eastern Prickly Pear (Opuntia humifusa): A drought-tolerant, cold-hardy, native cactus with vibrant yellow flowers and edible fruit, perfect for dry, sandy landscapes and xeriscaping.
• Evening Primrose (Oenothera biennis): A biennial that tolerates dry soils and produces yelAlow blooms that open in the evening, attracting moths.
• Foxglove Beardtongue (Penstemon digitalis): Grows well in dry, rocky soils and attracts pollinators with its white tubular blooms.
• Hairy Beardtongue (Penstemon hirsutus): A drought-resistant wildflower that blooms pale purple flowers in early summer.
• Heath Aster (Symphyotrichum ericoides): Thrives in dry, sandy soils and offers tiny white flowers as a vital late-season nectar source.
• Hoary Vervain (Verbena stricta): This drought-tolerant plant thrives in dry conditions and produces purple flowers for bees and butterflies.
• Lanceleaf Coreopsis (Coreopsis lanceolata): This drought-tolerant wildflower produces bright golden flowers and reseeds easily in dry, sandy soils.
• Pearly Everlasting (Anaphalis margaritacea): White flowers attract butterflies and are perfect for dry, well-drained soils.
• Prairie Smoke (Geum triflorum): Prefers dry, sandy soils and produces unique pink flowers and feathery seed heads.
• Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea): Long-lasting pink blooms thrive in dry soils and feed pollinators and birds.
• Rough Blazing Star (Liatris aspera):  Hardy, drought-tolerant, purple flower spikes that attract pollinators and thrive in dry, well-drained soils.
• Round-Headed Bush Clover (Lespedeza capitata): Enriches dry soils, producing white to cream flowers that attract pollinators.
• Showy Goldenrod (Solidago speciosa): This late-blooming flower supports pollinators and thrives in dry, well-drained soils.
• Showy Tick-Trefoil (Desmodium canadense): This drought-tolerant plant supports pollinators and wildlife with its purple flowers.
• Silky Aster (Symphyotrichum sericeum): This drought-tolerant aster grows in dry, well-drained soils and produces purple flowers with silvery foliage.
• Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa): Grows well in dry, sandy soils and attracts hummingbirds and butterflies with its lavender flowers.
• Wild Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis): Grows well in dry, well-drained soils and produces red and yellow blooms loved by hummingbirds.
• Wild Lupine (Lupinus perennis): Grows best in dry, sandy soils and hosts the endangered Karner blue butterfly with its blue flower spikes.

Native Grasses for Xeriscaping

• Big Bluestem (Andropogon gerardii): A tall, drought-resistant grass that grows in dry soils and provides support for wildlife.
• Blue Grama (Bouteloua gracilis): A drought-tolerant grass with distinctive seed heads, ideal for dry, well-drained soils.
• Canada Wild Rye (Elymus canadensis): A drought-tolerant grass that stabilizes dry, sandy soils and adds beauty to landscapes.
• Indian Grass (Sorghastrum nutans): Prefers dry soils and produces golden plumes that support wildlife and add texture to gardens.
• June Grass (Koeleria macrantha): This compact grass thrives in sandy, dry soils and attracts birds with its seed heads.
• Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium): A drought-resistant grass that thrives in dry, sandy soils, with blue-green foliage and seeds for birds.
• Prairie Dropseed (Sporobolus heterolepis): A delicate grass that tolerates dry soils and provides seed heads loved by birds.
• Side-Oats Grama (Bouteloua curtipendula): A unique grass that thrives in dry, well-drained soils and produces seed spikes, providing forage for pollinators.
• Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum): Hardy and upright, it grows well in dry, well-drained soils and provides food and shelter for birds.