10 Easy Drought and Pollution Tolerant Perennials for the Concrete Jungle

I remember summers in New York. Whenever any of my entourage managed to score a piece of outdoor real estate, it immediately became a community garden with all of us. We chipped in with the buying, planting, and watering so that we could share in this rare urban oasis. And then? We went away for the weekend. 

Poor plants. It took no time at all for those urban plants to become scorched by hot sun pouring down on asphalt roofs. Other hapless city plantings quickly succumbed to airborne pollutants and salt.

But New Yorkers always bounce back. So the next season, we fledgling urban gardeners got smart and invested in some pollution-and-drought tolerant plants that thrived in their urban habitat.

(Suburban gardeners also take note: these plants work well for that problem area—the aptly nicknamed "hellstrip"— between your sidewalk and the street.)

Above: "Thuja in the Wind" by Ofer K. via Flickr.

Many evergreens do well in urban environs, but Thujas (either plicata, Western Redcedar, or occidentalis, Northern Whitecedar) are particularly hardy. Commonly know as arborvitaes, these conifers (which are actually members of the cypress family) make excellent privacy hedges from prying neighbors. The feathery needles also add lovely texture as a back drop in the garden. Mature plants grow to 30 feet, but you can cut the top to encourage outward, rather than upward, growth.

Thuja Plicata 'Green Giant' is available in several sizes for prices ranging from $16.95 to $99.95 at Sooner Plant Farm.

Above: Santolina by Zenryaku via Flickr.

Gray Santolina or Lavender Cotton has been described as a "no-fuss mound" of fragrant foliages with "cute button flowers" that can be dried. I like the contrast of soft gray and sunny yellow of this "wild and wooly" plant that needs virtually no water. Three-inch pots available at Mountain Valley Growers; $4.95.

Above: Creeping Rock Rose via Sierra Foothill Garden.

A bushy evergreen shrub, hardy Rock Rose (Cistus) produces a profusion of fragrant summer flowers. Originally from the Mediterranean, this sun-loving, drought tolerant plant was later cultivated to withstand more Northern climes (cold hardy in from zones 8 to 11). Make sure you plant it in well-drained soil. Available in white, pink, purple and yellow at Digging Dog Nursery; $9.

Above: Snowberry via Town Mouse and Country Mouse, Native Gardening in Central California.

Growing up, I loved to imagine faeries and pixies playing mini games of soccer with snowberries. And though it seems delicate, this enchanting native plant is actually quite adaptable to many soil and moisture conditions (though it does prefer partial sun), and it can withstand salt spray. With delicate pink flowers in the spring and plump white berries that last through the summer and fall, snowberry (Symphoricarpos) has an appeal that lasts beyond the typical growing season. Note: fauna love snowberries, but they are not good for people. A 2-foot Snowberry Bush is available at Nature Hills; $34.95.

Above: Stipa tenuifolia via Wikimedia Commons.

Anyone who has been to the High Line in New York knows that grass is perfect for urban environs. I love the soft sweep of textured Mexican Feather Grass. Don't you just want to pet it? Available at Plant Delights Nursery for $12.

Above: Teucrium via Pepiniere Fleurs du Sud.

Tolerant of drought, wind, and salt spray, Germander (Teucrium fruticans "azureum") features lavender flowers and soft gray-green leaves. I think I'm going to plant one in my seaside garden as well. Available at Digging Dog Nursery; $7.75.

Above: Blue fescue (Festuca ovina glauca) via Gardener Direct.

Offering a bit of refreshing blue gray in the summer garden, softly textured blue fescue is another of my favorite grasses. It prefers full to partial sun and well-drained soil. Other than that, you can't kill it. Widely available at most garden centers, Blue Fescue is also available for $5.25 from Evergreen Plant Nursery. You can also buy Blue Fescue Seeds; $1.99 for a packet of 100 from Seed Corner.

Above: Sea Thrift via Greenwalks. 

For the same reason it works well in costal gardens, Sea Thrift or Sea Pink (Armeria maritima) is also great for urban plots. Pink or white spring flowers can be deadheaded to encourage an additional summer bloom. Available at Bluestone Perennials; $8.95.

Above: Libertia by Tony Rodd via Flickr.

Native to New Zealand, the spiky amber stems of Libertia make a dramatic and unexpected statement in your urban garden. Fragrant white blossoms, which appear in the spring, only add to the allure of this unusual plant. Seeds are available at Plant World Seeds for $3 per packet.

Above: Serviceberry (Amelanchier arborea) in spring via Trees in the City.

If you have a little more room or are planting a hellstrip, consider the magical Serviceberry. Like some kind of archetypal tree, serviceberry wears a distinct coat for each season. Spring brings a dusting of delicate white flowers, which turn to tasty purple berries (great for jams) in the summer, before a dramatic fiery finale in the fall. Three varieties are available at Sooner Plant Farm, from $30 to $40.

These are but a small sampling of pollution and drought tolerant plants. For more, check out Amy Whitworth's comprehensive list at Plan It Earth Design.

N.B. Want more tips for the urban gardener? Read all of our expert advice for Small-Space Gardens Inside And Out.

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