There’s a common belief that even the toughest gardens require regular watering. But after a lifetime of gardening, I’d argue that’s not always the case.
My own garden experiences have shown me that certain resilient plants can thrive without regular watering, even during prolonged dry spells. Summers often take me away for months at a time, leaving my garden without irrigation or anyone to keep it watered. Over the years, I’ve lost my fair share of cherished plants to drought, but I’ve also found enduring species that continue to thrive despite harsh conditions.
In southern gardens, the most resilient plants tend to be those planted in fall or winter to benefit from seasonal rains. A thoughtful start – with wide planting holes and a thick layer of soil-enriching mulch – gives them a solid foundation. This method, used for centuries, remains effective in modern gardening.
To identify the toughest plants, I’ve spent more than half a century observing those that flourish in challenging locations, particularly in “garden park” graveyards. Greenwood Cemetery, located just north of the state Capitol in Jackson, Mississippi, is a prime example. Here, various plants survive without regular care, supported only by occasional string-trimming for protection.
In these cemetery gardens, you’ll find oak trees, cedars, crape myrtles, magnolias, bald cypress, and ginkgos thriving alongside a range of shrubs, such as evergreen arborvitae, loropetalum, spring-flowering quince, spirea, forsythia, gardenias, abelias, and roses. Fall flowers like sasanquas, winter camellias, and berry-laden hollies also make an appearance, while English ivy, vinca, liriope, and mondo grass cover shaded areas.
Cemeteries are also home to many classic bulbs, including daffodils, grape hyacinths, Ipheion star flowers, gladiolus, red amaryllis, crinums, tiger lilies, “naked ladies,” and red spider lilies that bloom in fall. Herbaceous perennials that can survive even with minimal maintenance are found between tombstones. Irises, blue star (Amsonia), daylilies, sedums, salvias, Mexican mint marigold, liatris, and purple coneflowers thrive alongside ferns, monkey grass, hostas, and painted arum.
While not every plant suited for old cemetery gardens fits modern memorial parks, where mowing is prioritized, these resilient species work well in home gardens. With basic soil preparation and minimal watering to establish roots, they can thrive with little additional care.
Planting these hardy varieties together in a small flower bed can create a garden that’s visually appealing across all seasons. Adding a decorative element – such as a large rock, birdbath, or an artistic feature like driftwood or a green bottle tree – enhances the visual interest even further.
There’s also room for low-care seasonal plants, from summer flowers like celosia, zinnias, Angelonia, and moss roses to winter classics such as pansies, violas, colorful kales, Swiss chard, snapdragons, and parsley.
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