Fast Growing Drought Tolerant Shrubs

For gardeners that don’t like supplemental watering whenever Mother Nature isn’t cooperating, there are some pretty shrubs that are indeed drought tolerant. Some even have a faster than normal rate of growth. These fast growing drought tolerant shrubs are sure to liven up a landscape.

Reeve’s Spirea

Reeve’s spirea, a native of China, is also known as double Reeves, double bridal wreath and Spiraea cantoniensis. As a fast growing drought tolerant shrub, it will grow three to six feet high and six to eight feet wide. Deciduous leaves are two inches long. Flowers are small and rose-like, with white petals and in clusters. Plant a Reeve’s spirea in full sun in any soil type. It will tolerate partial shade. Propagate it by green tip shoot cuttings or by seed. This shrub is hardy in USDA hardiness zones of five through nine.

American Beautyberry

American beautyberry is also known as the French mulberry, beautyberry and Callicarpa americana. It will attract songbirds to the garden and grow six to eight feet high. Green or yellow-green leaves grow six to eight inches long. Tiny flowers are in clusters, lilac in color, and in the springtime. Plant an American beautyberry in broken shade with well-drained soil. Propagate it by semi-hardwood cuttings and with seed. This shrub is hardy in USDA hardiness zones of six through ten.

Thorny Elaeagnus

Thorny elaeagnus, a native of China and Japan, is also known as the silverthorn, spotted elaeagnus and Elaeagnus pungens. It is a fragrant evergreen that will attract songbirds. Silverthorn can grow 15 feet tall and 20 feet wide. Cream colored flowers are bell-like, very small and in clusters. Blooms appear in the late fall and early winter seasons. Plant a thorny elaeagnus in partial to full sun. Propagate it by seed, softwood cuttings or hardwood cuttings. It is hardy in USDA hardiness zones of seven through nine.

Japanese Mockorange

Japanese mockorange, a native of Japan and China, is also known as tobira, Japanese pittosporum and Pittosporum tobira. It is a fragrant evergreen that attracts butterflies to the landscape. It will grow up to 15 feet high and 15 feet wide. Leaves are leathery and one to five inches long, grayish green in color and can be variegated. Flowers are small and in clusters, white or yellow in color, and come in the late spring. Plant a Japanese mockorange in sun or shade and in any soil that isn’t soggy. Propagate via seed or cuttings. It is hardy in USDA hardiness zones of eight through 10.