Transform Your Connecticut Landscape with Drought-Resistant Native Plants That Thrive in 2024’s Changing Climate

As Connecticut faces increasingly unpredictable weather patterns and historic drought conditions not seen since the 1960s, with 2024 marking another year of significant water challenges, homeowners are discovering the remarkable benefits of creating drought-resistant landscapes using native plants. With Connecticut typically receiving 8 to 9 inches of rain during September and October but only seeing about an inch in 2024, making it the second driest October on record, the need for water-wise landscaping has never been more critical.

Why Choose Native Plants for Drought Resistance?

Native plants have adapted to the local climate, making them naturally hardy, and many species of Connecticut native plants can survive in poor and sandy soils and are drought tolerant and deer resistant once established. These plants typically grow quickly, naturally withstand drought conditions, require minimal fertilization, and demand little maintenance.

Connecticut’s state tree, the White Oak (Quercus alba), and its state flower, the Mountain Laurel (Kalmia latifolia), are among the many plants that have adapted perfectly to Connecticut’s landscapes. Native plants are plants that coevolved with the animal life of a geographic area over thousands or millions of years. For example, while a Blue Spruce may be native to North America, it is not native to the Northeast and the wildlife here has not evolved with and adapted to it. It will have low ecological value in this area.

Top Drought-Resistant Native Plants for Connecticut in 2024

Grasses and Groundcovers

Big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii) is the dominant grass of tall-grass prairie with blue-green leaves that turn shades of red and purple in fall, growing 4-6 feet tall and thriving in dry to average soil with good drainage. Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum), another denizen of tall-grass prairie, forms tall, stately clumps with airy purplish flower-heads in early fall. The seeds provide food for birds, and the grass is yellow in fall and tan in winter.

A good suite of plants to use in a dry sun mixed container would be Little bluestem, Black-eyed-susan (Rudbeckia hirta), Gray Goldenrod (Solidago nemoralis), Bush Aster (Aster/ Symphyotrichum dumosus/dumosum), and Moss Phlox (Phlox subulata).

Flowering Perennials

Lavender is a drought-resistant plant that delivers pretty purple blooms that add color and texture to your Connecticut garden. Whether you plant lavender in well-draining containers or as a border to help frame your landscaping, it can stand up to hot Connecticut summers.

Tall growing, pollinator-friendly agastache blooms with purple or white spikes, making it ideal for the back of a garden or border. It can also stand up to dry Connecticut summers, continuing to add pops of color to your yard even as your grass may be bleaching out from the sun and heat.

Salvia, a type of flowering plant that delivers brilliant-colored blooms in a variety of hues and shapes, is known for its ability to attract hummingbirds. These drought-resistant plants can grow anywhere from 8-30 inches tall, making them ideal to plant anywhere in your Connecticut garden.

Ferns for Shaded Areas

Christmas fern (Polystichum acrostichoides) has evergreen fronds that have been used for Christmas decorations. This fern is very useful in plantings beneath trees, as it tolerates root competition. Christmas fern is also more tolerant of dry soil than are most ferns.

Professional Landscaping Support in Greater Danbury

For homeowners seeking expert guidance in creating drought-resistant landscapes, professional landscaping in New Milford and the Greater Danbury area has become increasingly specialized in sustainable, water-wise design. Roots Landscaping commits to providing high-quality landscaping services in Greater Danbury, Connecticut areas, offering custom commercial or residential landscape design and installation, mulching and flower beds, hardscape services, and regular upkeep. Their staff of professional landscapers and horticulturalists can help you with anything you desire.

Roots Landscaping is always the best-rated landscaping company on Google Reviews, Yelp, Angie’s List, etc. As a Connecticut-based company, they endeavor to give their customers the best value for their money. Since 2000, when Roots Landscaping officially opened their doors to do business, they made a vow to provide superior landscape services for their clients. They are proud to be the premier Commercial Landscaping company serving Greater Danbury and the surrounding area, with their mission being to provide high-quality services and build long-term business relationships with their clients.

The Science Behind Water-Wise Landscaping

The EPA estimates that around a third of all water use nationwide is spent on landscaping, amounting to 9 billion gallons of water per day. With droughts and concerns over dropping pollinator populations, some homeowners have become interested in a different route. Some plants that are not native (but are not invasive) have also been included in sustainable landscaping because they offer qualities that are useful, such as drought tolerance, salt tolerance, deer resistance, or other qualities of value.

Current Climate Challenges and Opportunities

Although drought is part of Connecticut’s natural cycle, higher global temperatures have impacted precipitation patterns. Over the last century, annual precipitation totals have not changed substantially, however we are experiencing more extreme precipitation events, along with longer and more intense droughts. These extremes are easy to see: in 2020 and 2021, we saw extreme drought conditions in the state; in 2023 the state received around 65 inches of precipitation, the third highest on record.

The Northeast frequently experiences “flash” droughts—the rapid onset of intense dry periods that can follow a period of normal to above-normal precipitation. While these flash droughts may last only 2–6 months, they can have profound impacts in the region, resulting in agricultural losses, shortages in public water supplies, very low streamflows, and increased wildfire risk.

Getting Started with Your Drought-Resistant Landscape

The updated native tree and shrub availability list is designed to assist homeowners, landscapers, and conservation organizations in locating native planting stock for wildlife habitat enhancement. It was compiled from a survey of Connecticut’s registered nurseries, with many respondents indicating that they have native trees, shrubs, or perennials in stock or would obtain them by special order.

UConn Extension developed a native plant and sustainable landscaping guide with 44 pages of plant lists for every location matched with vibrant photographs. The free guide can be downloaded at UConn Native Plant Guide.

Creating a drought-resistant landscape using Connecticut native plants isn’t just about surviving dry spells—it’s about creating a thriving ecosystem that supports local wildlife while reducing maintenance costs and water usage. Simply by choosing to buy Connecticut native plants for your garden beds or other landscaping efforts, you can directly help to reduce atmospheric CO2, create fertile soil, and reestablish a healthy natural environment where you live. With professional guidance and the right plant selections, your landscape can be both beautiful and resilient, ready to thrive in Connecticut’s changing climate for years to come.