What are your go-to strategies—in terms of plants, irrigation, or design elements—for creating more drought resilient landscapes?

Jessi Milch
Account Manager at Sunrise Landscape, Tampa, FL

When using exotics and non-natives, it’s important to emulate their climate of origin as much as possible. Look into the plant’s native range and when deciding to plant it, you need to work with the land, not against it.

At the same time, it’s worth keeping in mind that using plants that are native does not guarantee drought-tolerance. There are plenty of bog-marginal or riparian plants that need constant moisture!

Edil Cunampio
Founder & Principal Orchard Designer at Backyard Orchard, Phoenixville, PA

Here’s the nutshell version of my drought-resilient landscape strategy: Designing for drought isn’t just about picking tough plants. It’s about building a living system that holds moisture, supports itself, and adapts over time.

Here’s how I do it:

1. Layered Density – I design with trees, shrubs, perennials, herbs, and ground covers—stacked in layers. This creates natural shade, living mulch, and cooler, more hydrated soil.
   
   
2. Site-Adaptive Planting – No two properties are alike. I assess microclimates, sun exposure, slopes, and soil to place each plant where it will thrive with minimal input.
3. Selective Irrigation – I water just once a week during the initial weeks, adjusting based on weather. After establishment, the landscape is built to thrive mostly on rainfall.
4. Soil Health as a Foundation – Compost, mulch, and living soil biology turn the ground into a sponge—boosting water retention and building resilience from the roots up.

The result? A lush, edible, low-maintenance landscape that stays beautiful and productive—even in dry conditions.

Molly Finch
Owner & Lead Ecological Designer at Goldfinch Garden Design, Berkeley, CA

Rainwater capturing, bioswales, permeable pavers, water-wise native plant selection, and using a dense matrix-style planting with a “living mulch” layer to improve soil moisture retention. So far this spring we’ve used only rainwater to irrigate client sites!

Scott Craig

Horticulture Director at Natural Design Landscaping, Tampa Bay, FL

In Florida, nature coast Tampa and surrounding region, it has to be plant selection. Drought tolerant as well as lowered horticulture management requirements. We are booming in construction here. New housing communities and MPD projects all over. Green space is being depleted. Besides our water woes with harsh restrictions, [there are] fertilizer restrictions on top of that. Plant smart!