• Drought-tolerant plants are capable of withstanding temporary dry periods, but not severe conditions.Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
  
  Drought-tolerant plants are those that, if properly cared for and maintained, are capable of withstanding periods of dryness. Unhealthy specimens will lack the vigor and strength require to tolerate lengthy periods of water stress. When given the option of choosing non-native species or native species, choose native species. These plants have adapted to your region's growing conditions and are more likely to survive adverse conditions than imported specimens.
  
  

Flowers

• Pansies, petunias, cosmos, snapdragons, geraniums, verbena and sweet alyssum are among the many species of bright annuals capable of withstanding rainless periods. There is a difference between drought-tolerant and drought-resistant flowers. Letting these drought-tolerant flowers go dry for weeks is not practical if you want them to survive. Drought-tolerant perennial flowers include asters, columbine, day lilies, iris and phlox.
  
  

Ground Covers

• Ground cover plants are especially important during dry conditions because they keep down dust and help prevent soil erosion. Sedums are a highly effective ground cover. They are hardy, being both cold and drought tolerant. They grow in a variety of colors: yellows, bronze reds, deep greens and bluish tones. These small, thick-leaved plants are often placed along borders, at walkway edges and near building foundations. Most sedums are low growing but some can reach heights of 1 foot or more. Other drought-tolerant ground covers are creeping juniper, yucca and various ornamental grasses. Choose ground covers that are suited for your growing zone and its temperatures. Some ground covers are prolific self seeders so pick ornamental grasses and other ground covers carefully lest you plant an invasive species.
  
  

Shrubs

• Young and transplanted shrubs require consistent moisture in order to establish adequate root systems. Once established, usually within three years, the following shrubs will be able to withstand periods of drought: barberry bushes (many varieties, including 'William Penn,' 'chenault,' and 'threespine'), Buddleia species (this includes varieties of butterfly bush) and practically all the boxwoods. Flowering shrubs like white forsythia and azaleas are also drought tolerant.