Drought-tolerant plants – hardiness zones compared (USDA, RHS, Canadian & Australian)

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All 210 drought-tolerant plants in the catalogue, alphabetical by common name. Each links to a full page with its ratings across the USDA, RHS, Canadian and Australian systems.

Adam’s needle Yucca filamentosa – Cold-hardy southeastern North American native yucca with sword-shaped leaves edged in curling white threads, and tall summer panicles of cream bell flowers. Leaf fibre was a key cordage source for southeastern Indigenous peoples. USDA zones 4–10
Agave Agave americana – Stiff rosette succulent; large species form towering flower spikes after a decade or more. USDA zones 8–11
Albizia (Silk tree, Mimosa) Albizia julibrissin – Small ornamental tree with feathery foliage and pink powder-puff flowers across the canopy in midsummer. Fast growing but short lived. USDA zones 6–10
Alfalfa (Lucerne) Medicago sativa – Globally important forage legume with a taproot that can reach 15 m. One of the most efficient nitrogen-fixers and a powerful dynamic accumulator from deep soil layers. USDA zones 3–10
Almond Prunus dulcis – Mediterranean fruit tree closely related to peach, grown for the seed inside the inedible hull. Pink-white spring blossom; needs hot dry summer. USDA zones 7–10
Aloe vera Aloe vera – Clump-forming succulent with thick gel-filled leaves used medicinally. USDA zones 9–11
Alpine sea holly Eryngium alpinum – Alpine European sea holly with the largest and most spectacular flower heads of any Eryngium — domed steel-blue thimbles surrounded by elaborate finely cut feathery blue bracts. USDA zones 4–8
Ashwagandha Withania somnifera – Indian Ayurvedic adaptogen — a small woody shrub with red berries. Roots are the medicinal part, harvested in autumn. USDA zones 8–11
Autumn daffodil Sternbergia lutea – Mediterranean bulb with goblet-shaped buttercup-yellow flowers — looking like crocuses but actually in the amaryllis family — emerging straight from bare ground in autumn alongside the new strap-like leaves. USDA zones 6–9
Autumn sage Salvia greggii – Compact shrubby Texas and northeastern Mexican native salvia with masses of small hooded flowers in red, pink, salmon, coral, or white, blooming from late spring through autumn. USDA zones 7–10
Banksia Banksia integrifolia – Australian native tree or large shrub with bottlebrush-like flower spikes attractive to nectar feeders. USDA zones 9–11
Beardlip penstemon Penstemon barbatus – Southwestern North American native penstemon with airy spires of pendant tubular scarlet or coral-red flowers held on tall slender stems. The principal hummingbird penstemon of the American West. USDA zones 4–9
Belladonna lily (Naked ladies) Amaryllis belladonna – South African bulb that produces tall bare stems carrying clusters of fragrant pink trumpet flowers in late summer — hence the common name “naked ladies”, because the leaves are entirely absent at flowering time. USDA zones 7–10
Bitter aloe (Cape aloe) Aloe ferox – Tall single-stemmed South African aloe reaching 3 m with thorny grey-green sword leaves and dramatic candelabra of orange flower spikes in winter. The commercial source of "Cape aloes" laxative bitters. USDA zones 9–11
Black goji berry Lycium ruthenicum – Tough, spiny Central Asian desert shrub with anthocyanin-rich black berries. USDA zones 5–9
Black she-oak Allocasuarina littoralis – Eastern Australian coastal native casuarina. Critical food plant for the glossy black cockatoo, which feeds almost exclusively on its seeds. USDA zones 8–11
Black-eyed Susan Rudbeckia hirta – North American native daisy with rich golden-yellow petals around a dark chocolate central cone. Peak bloom from midsummer well into autumn. USDA zones 3–9
Bladder senna Colutea arborescens – Mediterranean shrub with yellow pea-flowers followed by inflated, papery, parchment-like seed pods that pop when squeezed. Tolerates poor and alkaline soils. USDA zones 5–8
Blanket flower Gaillardia × grandiflora – Hybrid prairie perennial with bold daisy flowers in fiery combinations of red, orange, and yellow, often with a contrasting central button. Flowers continuously from early summer through autumn. USDA zones 3–10
Blazing star (Gayfeather) Liatris spicata – Upright North American prairie native with grassy foliage and dense bottlebrush spikes of magenta or white flowers opening from the top down — unusual among spike flowers. USDA zones 3–9
Blue fescue Festuca glauca – Compact evergreen fescue grass forming neat domed tussocks of intensely silver-blue narrow needle-like foliage. The classic small foliage-blue ornamental grass for the front of the border and edging. USDA zones 4–8
Blue flax lily Dianella caerulea – Tough, adaptable strappy perennial from eastern Australia with blue flowers and violet berries. USDA zones 9–10
Blue oat grass Helictotrichon sempervirens – Larger evergreen ornamental grass than blue fescue, forming rounded fountains of silver-blue narrow foliage topped by airy tan oat-like flower panicles in early summer. USDA zones 4–8
Boobialla Myoporum insulare – Fast, dense coastal shrub or small tree from southern Australia, widely used for screening and windbreaks. USDA zones 9–10
Boswellia (Frankincense) Boswellia sacra – Small drought-adapted tree of the Arabian Peninsula and Horn of Africa. Resin is the source of frankincense and a powerful anti-inflammatory. USDA zones 10–12
Bronze fennel Foeniculum vulgare ‘Purpureum’ – Tall perennial fennel with the same anise-scented foliage and yellow umbel flowers as the green form, but with smoky purple-bronze new growth. USDA zones 4–9
Buffalo berry — Silver Shepherdia argentea – Thorny silver-leaved shrub of the North American prairies and northern plains. Tart red berries are an Indigenous food source, traditionally sweetened after the first frost. USDA zones 2–7
Bush tomato (Akudjura) Solanum centrale – Low desert-adapted Australian native solanum producing yellow-brown sun-dried fruit traditionally harvested by central desert Aboriginal communities. USDA zones 9–12
Butterfly weed Asclepias tuberosa – Brilliant orange-flowered milkweed of dry prairies. Drought tolerant and unusually well behaved compared to its relatives. USDA zones 3–9
Cactus (prickly pear) Opuntia ficus-indica – Paddle-shaped succulent producing edible fruit. Naturalised in many warm regions. USDA zones 8–11
California poppy Eschscholzia californica – Brilliant orange-flowered native of California, perennial in mild climates and an annual elsewhere. Traditional gentle sedative and analgesic. USDA zones 5–10
Cape daisy (African daisy) Osteospermum ecklonis – Spreading South African subshrub with grey-green leaves and abundant large white, pink, or purple daisy flowers with distinctive blue or violet central discs from spring through autumn. USDA zones 9–11
Cape leadwort Plumbago auriculata – Scrambling South African shrub or climber with light-blue (or white) phlox-like flowers through warm months. One of the most reliable mass-flowering shrubs of warm-temperate and subtropical gardens. USDA zones 9–11
Cape thatching reed Chondropetalum tectorum – Cape fynbos restio with tall, slender, leafless dark-green stems carrying dark seed bracts at the tips. The principal thatching reed of traditional Cape architecture. USDA zones 8–11
Caper bush Capparis spinosa – Sprawling, spiny Mediterranean shrub whose flower buds are pickled as capers. USDA zones 8–11
Caradonna sage Salvia nemorosa ‘Caradonna’ – Selected cultivar of woodland sage with distinctive near-black flower stems carrying dense spikes of deep violet flowers in early summer. The signature ornamental sage of modern naturalistic planting design. USDA zones 4–8
Carob Ceratonia siliqua – Long-lived Mediterranean tree producing leathery dark pods used as a chocolate substitute and as livestock feed. Drought-tolerant; nitrogen-fixing roots. USDA zones 9–11
Caryopteris (Blue mist shrub) Caryopteris × clandonensis – Compact deciduous shrub with grey-green aromatic foliage and clouds of bright blue flowers from late summer into autumn. USDA zones 5–9
Catmint Nepeta × faassenii – Hardy hybrid perennial with grey-green aromatic foliage and long flushes of small lavender-blue flowers from late spring to early autumn. USDA zones 3–8
Ceanothus Ceanothus spp. – Californian native evergreen shrub with masses of blue flowers in spring. USDA zones 7–10
Cedar Bay cherry Eugenia reinwardtiana – Compact coastal shrub or small tree from tropical Queensland with sweet, small red cherries. USDA zones 10–12
Chinese skullcap Scutellaria baicalensis – Drought-tolerant blue-flowered perennial with a different chemistry from American skullcap. Roots ("huang qin") are a major TCM anti-inflammatory. USDA zones 4–8
Coastal rosemary (Westringia) Westringia fruticosa – Compact rounded evergreen Australian native shrub with grey-green rosemary-like leaves and small white or pale lilac flowers throughout the year. The most widely planted Australian native hedge plant. USDA zones 9–11
Common agapanthus Agapanthus praecox – Evergreen clump-forming South African perennial with broad strap-shaped leaves and tall stems carrying spherical umbels of blue or white trumpet flowers through summer. The most widely planted Agapanthus species worldwide. USDA zones 8–11
Common conebush Leucadendron salignum – Compact spreading Cape conebush with narrow grey-green leaves often flushed red or yellow in autumn and winter, and small cone-like flower clusters surrounded by colourful bracts. USDA zones 8–10
Common sugarbush Protea repens – Cape fynbos shrub of South Africa with grey-green narrow leaves and large cup-shaped flower heads in white, pink, or deep red, dripping sugary nectar — the original "sugarbush" of early Cape settlers. USDA zones 9–11
Cork oak Quercus suber – Mediterranean evergreen oak of southern Iberia and North Africa, with deeply furrowed thick corky bark that can be stripped sustainably from the living tree on a 9–12 year cycle. The world source of natural wine-bottle corks. USDA zones 8–10
Cottage pinks Dianthus plumarius – Tufted blue-grey perennial with fringed pink, white, or bicoloured flowers carrying a powerful clove fragrance. The classic edging pink of British cottage gardens, distinct from the biennial sweet William. USDA zones 3–8
Cowpea (Black-eyed pea) Vigna unguiculata – African and Asian legume serving simultaneously as warm-season green manure, fast-establishing cover crop, and edible pulse. Drought tolerant once established. USDA zones 3–12
Cretan mountain mint Clinopodium nepeta – Aromatic Mediterranean herb (lesser calamint) with minty-oregano leaves and a long bee-friendly bloom. USDA zones 5–9
Cretan rock rose Cistus creticus – Aromatic Mediterranean shrub with crinkled pink flowers; the sticky leaves yield labdanum resin. USDA zones 8–10
Crimson bottlebrush Callistemon citrinus – Medium shrub or small tree with narrow lemon-scented leaves and iconic bright red bottlebrush flower spikes that draw honeyeaters and lorikeets in numbers. USDA zones 8–11
Culinary myrtle Myrtus communis – Aromatic Mediterranean evergreen with white summer flowers and dark, flavouring berries. USDA zones 8–11
Darwin’s barberry Berberis darwinii – Evergreen Chilean shrub with small holly-like glossy leaves and pendant clusters of bright orange spring flowers followed by blue-black berries. USDA zones 7–9
Desert lime Citrus glauca – Thorny native Australian citrus of arid inland regions. Small green fruit has exceptionally high vitamin C and a sharp distinctive flavour. USDA zones 8–12
Dittany of Crete Origanum dictamnus – Woolly-leaved Cretan endemic with cascading pink flower bracts, brewed as a herbal tea. USDA zones 8–10
Dyer’s alkanet Alkanna tinctoria – Bristly Mediterranean perennial with bright blue forget-me-not-like flowers and a deep purple-red taproot. The root yields a fat-soluble red pigment used for soap, lip salves, oils, and food colouring. USDA zones 6–9
Dyer’s chamomile Anthemis tinctoria – Bushy short-lived perennial with finely cut grey-green foliage and abundant bright yellow daisy flowers from midsummer onwards. Flowers produce a clean fresh yellow textile dye. USDA zones 3–7
Echinacea (Coneflower) Echinacea purpurea – North American prairie native with bold pink-purple coneflowers through summer. Strong bee and butterfly plant. USDA zones 3–9
English lavender Lavandula angustifolia – Compact aromatic Mediterranean shrub. Thrives in poor, well-drained soil and full sun. USDA zones 5–9
Esparto grass Stipa tenacissima – Tough perennial bunch-grass of Mediterranean North Africa and Iberia, with wiry blue-green leaves. The leaves are the principal source of high-quality book and Bible paper, and traditional matting fibre. USDA zones 8–11
False indigo (Wild blue indigo) Baptisia australis – North American prairie native with deep blue lupine-like flower spikes in late spring. Long-lived and architectural — a permanent garden feature once established. USDA zones 3–9
Fernleaf yarrow Achillea filipendulina – Tall perennial yarrow with feathery grey-green foliage and broad flat heads of bright yellow flowers held well above the leaves. USDA zones 3–8
Field scabious Knautia arvensis – Native meadow perennial with flat lilac pincushion flower heads on tall slender stems. A reliable bee and butterfly plant for chalk and dry soils. USDA zones 3–8
Fire heath Erica cerinthoides – Cape fynbos and grassland heath with narrow needle-like grey-green leaves and clusters of slender tubular bright red flowers. One of the more widespread South African Erica species. USDA zones 9–11
Firewood banksia Banksia menziesii – Western Australian small tree to 10 m with rough corky bark, blue-grey toothed leaves, and large acorn-shaped flower spikes in red, orange, pink, or yellow through autumn and winter. USDA zones 9–10
Flat sea holly Eryngium planum – Eastern European native sea holly with branched stems of small steel-blue thimble flowers in summer, the stems and upper foliage equally steel-blue. The principal commercial cut-flower sea holly. USDA zones 4–9
Foothill penstemon Penstemon heterophyllus – Californian native penstemon with striking electric-blue-to-violet tubular flowers on neat compact mounds. The cultivar ‘Margarita BOP’ is one of the most reliably hardy ornamental penstemons. USDA zones 6–10
Foxtail lily Eremurus stenophyllus – Central Asian tuberous perennial with strap-like basal leaves and tall (1.5 m) tapering spires of small star-shaped yellow flowers in early summer. The most reliable garden Eremurus. USDA zones 5–9
Fragrant saltbush Rhagodia parabolica – Hardy, scrambling arid-zone saltbush from southern Australia with grey foliage and small red berries. USDA zones 8–10
French lavender Lavandula dentata – Aromatic Mediterranean lavender with toothed grey foliage, often blooming nearly year-round in mild climates. USDA zones 8–10
Geraldton wax Chamelaucium uncinatum – Slender Western Australian native shrub with fine needle-like aromatic leaves and clusters of waxy pink, white, or purple five-petalled flowers in winter and spring. The major Australian cut-flower export crop. USDA zones 9–10
Giant feather grass Stipa gigantea – Iberian native ornamental grass forming a low fountain of fine evergreen leaves topped by airy 2 m tall panicles of golden oat-like flowers that catch the wind beautifully. USDA zones 5–9
Goji berry (Wolfberry) Lycium barbarum – Cold-hardy Chinese shrub of the nightshade family producing small bright orange-red berries used dried in traditional Chinese medicine. USDA zones 3–10
Golden wattle Acacia pycnantha – Australia's national floral emblem — a small tree producing dense balls of brilliant yellow flowers in late winter and early spring. USDA zones 8–11
Goumi Elaeagnus multiflora – East Asian shrub bearing tart bright-red speckled berries. Used in Japanese culinary traditions; significantly better-behaved than its invasive cousin autumn olive. USDA zones 4–9
Grass tree (Yacca) Xanthorrhoea australis – Iconic Australian endemic with a thick blackened fire-shaped trunk topped by a fountain of long grass-like leaves and, in mature specimens, a tall flower spike of cream flowers in early summer. USDA zones 9–10
Greater knapweed Centaurea scabiosa – Larger-flowered chalk-grassland relative of common knapweed, with deeply divided leaves and showy rose-pink flower heads. USDA zones 3–8
Greek mountain tea Sideritis – Woolly grey-green Mediterranean herb (ironwort) whose dried flowering stems are brewed as a tea. USDA zones 7–10
Grevillea Grevillea robusta – Australian native with feathery foliage and curious spider-like flowers. USDA zones 9–11
Grevillea ‘Robyn Gordon’ Grevillea ‘Robyn Gordon’ – Compact mounding hybrid grevillea with finely divided foliage and continuous deep-red brush-like flowers throughout the year. USDA zones 9–11
Gymea lily Doryanthes excelsa – Massive NSW endemic perennial with rosettes of sword-shaped leaves 2 m long and dramatic 4–6 m flowering stems carrying enormous heads of deep red trumpet flowers. USDA zones 9–11
Hairpin banksia Banksia spinulosa – Compact eastern Australian banksia with narrow spiny leaves and golden cylindrical flower spikes through autumn and winter. USDA zones 8–11
Hardy nerine Nerine bowdenii – South African bulb with strap-like leaves and umbels of bright pink trumpet flowers with rolled-back petals on bare stems in autumn. The hardiest of the cultivated nerines. USDA zones 7–10
Heath banksia Banksia ericifolia – Eastern Australian native banksia with fine needle-like heath-like leaves and tall cylindrical orange-red flower spikes in autumn through winter. One of the most widely planted banksias in cultivation. USDA zones 8–11
Henequen Agave fourcroydes – Stiff blue-green rosette agave closely related to sisal, grown almost exclusively in the Yucatán peninsula of Mexico for fibre. The fibre is slightly shorter, softer and yellower than sisal. USDA zones 9–11
Holm oak (Holly oak) Quercus ilex – Mediterranean evergreen oak with small holly-like leaves, dense rounded canopy, and exceptionally dense durable timber once used for cartwheels, charcoal, and pier piling. Excellent coastal evergreen windbreak. USDA zones 7–10
Honey locust Gleditsia triacanthos – Large North American legume with feathery foliage, sweet edible pods, and dappled shade — popular as a street tree because grass grows beneath it. USDA zones 3–9
Honey thyme myrtle Melaleuca thymifolia – Compact eastern-Australian shrub with fine foliage and frilled, claw-like purple flowers. USDA zones 9–10
Hyssop Hyssopus officinalis – Compact woody Mediterranean herb with deep blue flower spikes and pungent leaves. Underused in modern gardens. USDA zones 3–9
Imbe Garcinia livingstonii – African Garcinia with thin-skinned orange fruit; hardier and more drought-tolerant than most of its relatives. USDA zones 10–12
Irish strawberry tree Arbutus unedo – Hardy Mediterranean evergreen with red, strawberry-textured fruit and white autumn flowers. USDA zones 7–10
Ivy-leaved cyclamen Cyclamen hederifolium – Carpet-forming tuberous cyclamen with intricately silver-marbled ivy-shaped leaves and pink or white shuttlecock flowers from late summer well into autumn. Flowers appear before the new leaves. USDA zones 5–9
Ivy-leaved geranium Pelargonium peltatum – Trailing or scrambling South African pelargonium with thick succulent ivy-shaped leaves and clusters of pink, mauve, red, or white flowers throughout the warm months. The classic balcony and window-box "geranium" of Mediterranean Europe. USDA zones 9–11
Jujube (Chinese date) Ziziphus jujuba – Small thorny deciduous tree producing date-like fruit eaten fresh (apple-sweet) or dried (date-like). Extraordinarily adaptable across climates. USDA zones 6–11
Juliana savory Micromeria juliana – Aromatic Mediterranean subshrub with savory-scented leaves used for tea and cooking. USDA zones 7–10
Juniper Juniperus communis – Variable evergreen conifer ranging from prostrate ground cover to small upright tree. Berry-like cones are the signature flavour of gin and a traditional digestive and urinary herb. USDA zones 2–7
Kakadu plum Terminalia ferdinandiana – Small deciduous tree of the tropical Northern Territory. Pale yellow-green fruit carries the highest measured vitamin C of any food source — around 3000 mg per 100 g. USDA zones 9–12
Kangaroo paw Anigozanthos spp. – Iconic Western Australian perennial with strap-like leaves and tall stems of furry tubular flowers in red, yellow, green or pink, shaped like a kangaroo’s paw. USDA zones 9–11
Kentucky coffee tree Gymnocladus dioicus – Long-lived North American legume with bold compound foliage and brilliant yellow autumn colour. Roasted seeds were an early-American coffee substitute. USDA zones 3–8
Krantz aloe (Candelabra aloe) Aloe arborescens – Multi-stemmed branching South African aloe forming a 2–3 m shrub with rosettes of toothed grey-green leaves at the branch tips and abundant orange-red conical flower spikes in winter. USDA zones 9–11
Kurrajong Brachychiton populneus – Tough dryland Australian native tree reaching 15 m with distinctive lobed leaves, cream-pink bell flowers in summer, and prominent dark seed pods. Among the most drought-tolerant Australian trees. USDA zones 8–11
Lantana Lantana camara – Tough sprawling shrub with cluster heads of bright multi-coloured flowers. USDA zones 8–11
Lavandin Lavandula × intermedia – Vigorous hybrid lavender (English lavender × spike lavender) with longer flower spikes, taller habit and later flowering than English lavender. The lavender of the great Provence fields. USDA zones 5–9
Leadplant Amorpha canescens – Low silvery-grey prairie shrub with deep purple flower spikes contrasting against the foliage. A cornerstone plant of North American prairie restoration. USDA zones 2–9
Lemon-scented tea tree Leptospermum petersonii – Eastern Australian native tea tree with fine narrow leaves that release a strong lemon fragrance when brushed, and small white flowers in spring and summer. The standard commercial lemon-tea-tree-oil species. USDA zones 9–11
Lily turf Liriope muscari – East Asian evergreen perennial with dense tufts of grass-like dark green leaves and spires of small purple flowers like grape hyacinths in autumn, followed by black berries. USDA zones 5–10
Maiden pink Dianthus deltoides – Spreading mat-forming European native perennial with masses of small bright magenta-pink flowers above grass-like dark green foliage in early summer. Excellent for rock gardens, dry walls, and as a ground cover. USDA zones 3–9
Marshmallow Althaea officinalis – Tall mallow with soft grey-green leaves and pale pink flowers. Mucilaginous root and leaf are demulcent — soothing for digestive and respiratory tract irritation. USDA zones 3–9
May Night sage Salvia × sylvestris ‘Mainacht’ – Long-flowering hybrid woodland sage with dense spikes of deep indigo-violet flowers from late spring through early summer. Perennial Plant of the Year (USA) 1997 and a benchmark naturalistic-style perennial. USDA zones 4–8
Mediterranean cypress (Italian cypress) Cupressus sempervirens – Slender column-shaped evergreen conifer of the Mediterranean basin, reaching 30 m, with dark green narrow upright form. The defining tree of Tuscan and Provençal landscape and a classic exclamation-point windbreak. USDA zones 7–10
Mesquite Prosopis spp. – Drought-adapted southwestern North American shrub or tree. Pods ground into mesquite flour for baking; deep taproot can reach groundwater 50 m+ below the surface. USDA zones 7–11
Mexican feather grass Stipa tenuissima – Diminutive Mexican and southern North American native ornamental grass with extraordinarily fine hair-thin foliage and silky pale flower panicles that sway in the lightest breeze. USDA zones 7–10
Mexican petunia Ruellia simplex – Tall Mexican perennial with narrow dark green leaves and continuous deep violet (or pink or white) petunia-like flowers through warm months. Each flower lasts a day; successive buds keep continuous bloom. USDA zones 8–11
Midgen berry Austromyrtus dulcis – Compact coastal-heath shrub from eastern Australia with sweet, speckled white-and-purple berries. USDA zones 9–10
Milk thistle Silybum marianum – Tall biennial or annual thistle with marbled leaves and pink-purple flower heads. Seeds yield silymarin, the most studied plant compound for liver support. USDA zones 5–9
Miss Willmott’s ghost Eryngium giganteum – Biennial sea holly with silver-white spiny bracts surrounding pale steely-blue thimble-shaped flower heads. Whole plant takes on a ghostly luminous quality in midsummer. USDA zones 4–8
Monterey cypress Cupressus macrocarpa – Coastal Californian endemic cypress, reaching 25 m, with bright green feathery foliage and exceptional tolerance of salt wind, sea spray, and exposure. The principal coastal windbreak species across the temperate Pacific. USDA zones 7–10
Moringa (Drumstick tree) Moringa oleifera – Fast-growing subtropical tree of remarkable nutritional value — leaves are exceptionally rich in protein, vitamins, and minerals. Drumstick-like seed pods are a south Indian vegetable. USDA zones 9–12
Mountain flax (Wharariki) Phormium cookianum – Smaller more arching New Zealand flax, with weaker but more flexible leaf fibre than the larger Phormium tenax already in the database. Naturally found on cliffs and coastal slopes throughout New Zealand. USDA zones 8–10
Mountain mahogany Cercocarpus montanus – Drought-adapted shrub or small tree of the western North American mountains and high deserts. Distinctive feathery seed plumes in autumn are an unusual ornamental feature. USDA zones 4–9
Mulberry — White Morus alba – Fast-growing deciduous tree with sweet pale fruit and broad heart-shaped leaves. Sole food plant of the silkworm. USDA zones 4–9
Mullein Verbascum thapsus – Striking biennial with a basal rosette of soft fuzzy leaves in year one and a tall flowering spike (1.5–2 m) in year two. Traditional respiratory and ear-infection herb. USDA zones 3–9
Muntries (Emu apple) Kunzea pomifera – Low spreading South Australian native producing small green-purple berries with a sweet-spicy apple-cinnamon flavour. Forms an excellent edible groundcover. USDA zones 8–10
Native sarsaparilla Hardenbergia violacea – Twining Australian native climber or trailing ground cover with leathery leaves and sprays of small purple pea flowers in late winter and early spring. USDA zones 8–11
Neem Azadirachta indica – Large fast-growing Indian tree. Every part is medicinal, and the seed-derived azadirachtin is one of the best-known botanical insecticides. USDA zones 10–12
Oleander-leaf protea Protea neriifolia – Upright Cape fynbos shrub with narrow oleander-like leaves and distinctive goblet-shaped flower heads ringed by furry dark-tipped bracts. Among the most reliable proteas for warm-temperate gardens. USDA zones 9–11
Olive Olea europaea – Long-lived evergreen tree of Mediterranean origin. Tolerates drought and poor soil. USDA zones 8–11
Olive — Frantoio Olea europaea "Frantoio" – Italian Tuscan oil olive — small fruit, high oil content, intensely peppery green-flavoured oil. The reference variety for premium Italian oils. USDA zones 7–11
Olive — Manzanilla Olea europaea "Manzanilla" – Spanish-origin table olive — the dominant green table olive globally. Crisp flesh, low oil content, ideal for brining. USDA zones 8–11
Olive — Picual Olea europaea "Picual" – Spanish Andalusian oil olive — by some accounts the most widely planted olive cultivar in the world. High yield, robust oil with bitter and pungent notes. USDA zones 7–11
Oregano Origanum vulgare – Spreading perennial herb with intense flavour developed best in hot dry conditions. USDA zones 4–10
Oregon grape Mahonia aquifolium – Evergreen shrub with glossy holly-like leaves, fragrant yellow winter flower clusters and clusters of grape-like blue-black berries in summer. USDA zones 5–8
Oxeye daisy Leucanthemum vulgare – Tall white-and-yellow daisy of native flower meadows. The visual signature of midsummer grassland and a workhorse of meadow pollinator support. USDA zones 3–8
Pampas grass Cortaderia selloana – Massive South American clump-forming ornamental grass reaching 3 m with sharp-edged arching leaves and tall plumes of silvery-white (or pink) flower heads through autumn. Spectacular but seriously invasive across much of the warm temperate world. USDA zones 7–11
Pasque flower Pulsatilla vulgaris – Tufted dry-grassland perennial with silky-haired buds opening to deep purple cup-shaped flowers around Easter, followed by feathery silver seed heads. The common name refers to Easter (Pâques). USDA zones 4–8
Penstemon Penstemon spp. – Perennial with tubular flowers in many colours; loved by bees and hummingbirds. USDA zones 4–9
Pigeon pea Cajanus cajan – Short-lived shrubby legume — perennial in subtropical climates, grown as an annual elsewhere. Seeds are the basis of Indian dal; deep taproot breaks compacted soil. USDA zones 3–12
Pigsqueak (Elephant ears) Bergenia cordifolia – Robust central Asian perennial with broad rounded leathery evergreen leaves that often turn deep red-purple in cold weather, and dense clusters of pink, magenta, or white flowers on stout stems in spring. USDA zones 3–8
Pincushion Leucospermum cordifolium – Rounded Cape fynbos shrub of South Africa with grey-green leathery leaves and brilliant orange-red pincushion-like flower heads with long protruding styles in spring. The most widely grown pincushion in cultivation. USDA zones 9–11
Pincushion hakea Hakea laurina – Western Australian shrub or small tree to 6 m with leathery laurel-like leaves and spectacular ball-shaped flower heads of red-and-cream protruding styles, like crimson pincushions, in autumn and winter. USDA zones 9–10
Pine nut — Stone Pine Pinus pinea – Iconic umbrella-canopied Mediterranean pine producing edible seeds. Drought-tolerant and long-lived; trees take decades to begin coning. USDA zones 7–11
Pistachio Pistacia vera – Long-lived Mediterranean / Central Asian nut tree with extreme tolerance for drought, salt, and heat — and an absolute requirement for cold winters. USDA zones 7–11
Pohutukawa (NZ Christmas tree) Metrosideros excelsa – Iconic New Zealand coastal tree with leathery dark green leaves, silver undersides, and brilliant crimson brush-like flowers at midsummer. USDA zones 9–11
Pomegranate Punica granatum – Multi-stemmed deciduous shrub or small tree with brilliant orange-red flowers and leathery-skinned fruit packed with jewelled arils. USDA zones 7–12
Pride of Madeira Echium candicans – Tender evergreen shrub from the Canary Islands with rosettes of grey-green leaves and giant blue-violet flower spikes a metre or more tall. USDA zones 9–11
Protea Protea cynaroides – Striking South African shrub with large architectural flower heads. USDA zones 9–11
Purple pampas grass (Jubata grass) Cortaderia jubata – Closely related to pampas grass but smaller and reproducing entirely apomictically (without sexual reproduction) — every plant a clone. Pink-purple flower plumes through autumn. USDA zones 7–11
Purple top vervain Verbena bonariensis – Tall airy South American perennial with sparse wiry stems carrying small clusters of bright lilac-purple flowers. Sees-through quality lets it dominate borders without blocking the view. USDA zones 7–11
Quandong Santalum acuminatum – Australian semi-arid native producing tart bright-red fruit with a single hard stone. A classic bushfood; pies, jams, and dried fruit. USDA zones 8–11
Queensland bottle tree Brachychiton rupestris – Iconic Queensland endemic tree with massive swollen bottle-shaped trunk storing water for dry seasons. Small narrow leaves and inconspicuous cream flowers — the architectural trunk shape is the entire ornamental point. USDA zones 9–11
Red berry saltbush Einadia hastata – Scrambling hardy Australian subshrub with small, sweet, edible red berries. USDA zones 8–10
Red flowering gum Corymbia ficifolia – Spectacular small Western Australian eucalypt to 10 m with broad rounded crown and massive terminal clusters of brilliant scarlet (or pink, orange, white) flowers in summer. The most widely planted ornamental eucalypt worldwide. USDA zones 9–11
Rocket pincushion Leucospermum reflexum – Tall narrow Cape fynbos shrub with silvery foliage and pendant rocket-shaped pincushion flowers, the long styles curving backwards as if launched. Striking architectural form for warm-temperate borders. USDA zones 9–11
Roman wormwood Artemisia pontica – Hardy aromatic perennial with finely cut silvery foliage, used to flavour vermouth and bitters. USDA zones 4–9
Rose campion Lychnis coronaria – Mediterranean cottage-garden perennial with silvery-grey woolly leaves and tall stems of vivid magenta single flowers through summer. Striking colour against silver foliage. USDA zones 4–8
Rosemary Salvia rosmarinus – Woody Mediterranean herb with needle-like aromatic leaves. Needs full sun and excellent drainage. USDA zones 7–11
Rosemary grevillea Grevillea rosmarinifolia – Bushy upright grevillea with rosemary-like needle leaves and showy red and cream spider-like flowers from late winter through spring. USDA zones 8–10
Round-leaved pigface Disphyma crassifolium – Low coastal succulent groundcover from southern Australia with daisy-like flowers and fleshy leaves. USDA zones 9–10
Ruby saltbush Enchylaena tomentosa – Hardy arid-zone Australian subshrub with succulent foliage and small juicy red-to-yellow berries. USDA zones 8–10
Russian olive Elaeagnus angustifolia – Silver-leaved Eurasian small tree historically planted as windbreak across the North American Great Plains. Cold and drought hardy, but invasive in much of its introduced range. USDA zones 2–8
Russian sage Salvia yangii – Tall airy subshrub from the steppe of central Asia, with silver-grey aromatic foliage and clouds of small lavender-blue flowers on white-stemmed branched spires through late summer and autumn. USDA zones 4–9
Safari Sunset conebush Leucadendron ‘Safari Sunset’ – New Zealand-bred Leucadendron hybrid (L. salignum × L. laureolum) with upright stems carrying narrow leaves and showy wine-red bracts at the tips through autumn and winter. The world’s most planted ornamental Leucadendron. USDA zones 8–10
Safflower Carthamus tinctorius – Thistle-like annual with spiny leaves and golden-orange flower heads. One of the oldest cultivated crops, grown for both red and yellow dye (from the flowers) and for safflower seed oil. USDA zones 4–11
Sainfoin Onobrychis viciifolia – Pink-flowered chalk-loving European legume. The non-bloating clover alternative for ruminants and the source of one of the world's most prized monofloral honeys. USDA zones 3–8
Salad burnet Sanguisorba minor – Tufted British native perennial of chalk and limestone grassland, with ferny-pinnate leaves and small round purple-red flower heads on wiry stems. Classic edging plant and traditional salad herb. USDA zones 4–9
Salvia (ornamental) Salvia nemorosa – Long-flowering perennial with whorled flower spikes; many species and cultivars. USDA zones 4–9
Savory of Crete Satureja thymbra – Pungent, thyme-scented Mediterranean subshrub used as a culinary herb and a major bee plant. USDA zones 8–10
Scarlet banksia Banksia coccinea – Western Australian shrub or small tree with broad oblong toothed leaves and brilliant short scarlet-and-grey cylindrical flower spikes through winter. Among the most spectacular of the banksias. USDA zones 9–10
Sea berry saltbush Rhagodia baccata – Dense coastal saltbush from southern and western Australia with small edible red berries. USDA zones 9–10
Sea buckthorn Hippophae rhamnoides – Thorny silver-leaved shrub bearing dense clusters of tart bright-orange berries. Berries have exceptional vitamin C and E content; growing commercial bushfood interest. USDA zones 3–8
Sea holly Eryngium maritimum – Coastal native perennial with steely-blue spiny leaves and architectural blue thistle-like flower heads. A signature plant of British shingle beaches. USDA zones 5–9
Siberian pea shrub Caragana arborescens – Extremely cold-hardy Mongolian and Siberian shrub. One of the toughest nitrogen-fixers for prairie shelterbelts; edible seeds and yellow pea-flowers. USDA zones 2–7
Silver dollar gum Eucalyptus cinerea – Smaller eucalypt with juvenile silver-grey rounded leaves clasping the stem, often kept in juvenile leaf form by hard pruning for the florist trade. Leaves produce a strong range of orange, yellow, and rust dyes. USDA zones 8–11
Silver princess gum Eucalyptus caesia – Small Western Australian weeping eucalypt to 6 m with smooth red bark shedding to reveal pale cream beneath, silvered branchlets, and large pendant pink or red flowers with grey buds in winter and spring. USDA zones 9–10
Silver tree Leucadendron argenteum – Iconic Cape Town endemic tree with leaves covered in dense silver hairs that catch the wind beautifully. Restricted in the wild to the granite slopes of Table Mountain and a few nearby peaks. USDA zones 9–10
Sisal Agave sisalana – Stiff rosette-forming succulent of the Yucatán peninsula, grown commercially across the dry tropics for the long stiff leaf fibre used for rope, twine, matting and dartboard backing. USDA zones 9–11
Small globe thistle Echinops ritro – Architectural southern European perennial with deeply cut spiny grey-green leaves and steel-blue spherical flower heads on tall stems in midsummer. USDA zones 3–9
Society garlic Tulbaghia violacea – South African clump-forming perennial with grass-like grey-green leaves and tall stems of lilac star-shaped flower umbels through summer and autumn. Edible mild-garlic-flavoured leaves and flowers without the breath consequences of true garlic. USDA zones 7–11
Spanish broom Spartium junceum – Tall Mediterranean shrub with rush-like green stems and intensely fragrant yellow pea flowers. Traditional source of textile fibre across southern Europe. USDA zones 7–10
Spanish lavender (French lavender) Lavandula stoechas – Compact Mediterranean lavender with stubby flower heads topped by showy purple bracts like rabbit ears. Earlier flowering, more compact, and more architectural than English lavender, but less hardy. USDA zones 7–10
Spike speedwell Veronica spicata – European native perennial with neat clumps of dark green leaves and upright spikes of small blue, pink, or white flowers in early summer. Reliable bee plant for the front of the sunny border. USDA zones 3–8
Spiny-headed mat rush Lomandra longifolia – Tough strappy-leaved Australian native that looks like a tussock grass but is actually in the asparagus family. Virtually indestructible and now a landscaping mainstay. USDA zones 8–11
Star of Persia Allium christophii – Central Asian ornamental allium with enormous loose open umbels of metallic lilac-violet star-shaped flowers — each head 20 cm across — on short sturdy stems. Spectacular and self-seeding once established. USDA zones 4–8
Sticky hop bush Dodonaea viscosa – Tough sticky-leaved shrub of the Australian and global tropical and subtropical dry country, with papery winged seed capsules that look like clusters of pink, red, or purple paper lanterns. An exceptional dry-climate coastal and inland windbreak. USDA zones 8–11
Stonecrop (Ice plant) Hylotelephium spectabile – Clump-forming succulent perennial with fleshy grey-green leaves and broad flat heads of pink flowers in late summer that age to copper-bronze. USDA zones 3–9
Sweet marjoram Origanum majorana – Sweet, mild Mediterranean culinary herb, more floral and gentle than oregano. USDA zones 7–10
Switchgrass Panicum virgatum – Tall North American prairie native ornamental grass forming strict upright clumps with airy panicles of tiny pink flowers in late summer that age to tan and hold their structure through winter. USDA zones 4–9
Tagasaste (Tree lucerne) Chamaecytisus palmensis – Fast-growing Canary Islands shrub or small tree. A staple of Australian permaculture for livestock fodder and rapid nitrogen-fixing in dry regions. USDA zones 8–11
Tall kangaroo paw Anigozanthos flavidus – Hardiest Western Australian native kangaroo paw, forming tall clumps of strap leaves topped by 2 m stems of fuzzy yellow-green to red tubular flowers shaped like kangaroo paws. Parent of most modern hybrids. USDA zones 9–11
Tamarisk Tamarix gallica – Mediterranean and western European feathery-leaved tree or large shrub with pink summer flower plumes, exceptional tolerance of salt-laden coastal wind, and a long history of seaside windbreak planting around the Mediterranean basin. USDA zones 6–9
Tasmanian flax lily Dianella tasmanica – Clump-forming Australian native perennial with sword-shaped grey-green strap leaves and sprays of small blue flowers followed by bright cobalt-blue berries through summer. USDA zones 8–11
Threadleaf coreopsis Coreopsis verticillata – Eastern North American prairie native with feathery thread-like foliage and abundant small bright yellow daisy flowers throughout summer. Cultivar ‘Moonbeam’ is the classic pale-yellow form widely planted. USDA zones 3–9
Thyme — Common Thymus vulgaris – Low-growing Mediterranean sub-shrub. Powerfully aromatic — culinary, medicinal, and a strong bee plant. USDA zones 4–9
Thyme — Lemon Thymus × citriodorus – Lemon-scented thyme hybrid; smaller and slightly less hardy than common thyme. Excellent in fish dishes and roasted vegetables. USDA zones 5–9
Trailing pigface (Hottentot fig) Carpobrotus edulis – Mat-forming South African coastal succulent with thick triangular fleshy leaves and large yellow or pink daisy-like flowers, followed by edible fig-like fruits. USDA zones 9–11
Treasure flower Gazania rigens – Low-growing South African coastal perennial with rosettes of silver-backed grey-green leaves and large brilliant daisy flowers in orange, yellow, pink, or red. Often grown as an annual outside mild climates. USDA zones 8–11
Tree mallow Lavatera × clementii – Vigorous shrubby mallow hybrid with grey-green palmate leaves and continuous large pink, white, or magenta hibiscus-like flowers from early summer well into autumn. USDA zones 6–9
True indigo Indigofera tinctoria – Tropical shrub historically the world's premier source of natural blue dye — driving global trade for centuries until synthetic indigo replaced it in the 1880s. USDA zones 9–11
Vervain Verbena officinalis – Slender wiry perennial with small pale-lilac flowers. Traditional nervine used in European herbalism for centuries. USDA zones 4–8
Viper’s bugloss Echium vulgare – Striking biennial with intensely blue funnel-shaped flowers on bristly upright spikes. One of the most productive nectar plants in the British native flora. USDA zones 3–8
Warrigal greens Tetragonia tetragonioides – Sprawling coastal leafy green from Australia and New Zealand, used like spinach. USDA zones 8–10
White correa Correa alba – Coastal Australian shrub with rounded grey-green leathery leaves and small star-shaped white flowers throughout the cooler months. The standard coastal correa for southern Australian gardens. USDA zones 9–10
White cypress pine Callitris columellaris – Slender narrow Australian native conifer with fine grey-green scale foliage, naturally pyramidal habit, and termite-resistant scented timber. A reliable narrow windbreak across inland Australia. USDA zones 8–11
Wild bergamot Monarda fistulosa – Lavender-pink flowering monarda of the prairies, more drought-tolerant than its cousin M. didyma. Same medicinal use; better choice for dry gardens. USDA zones 3–9
Wild carrot (Queen Anne’s lace) Daucus carota – Lacy white-flowered biennial umbellifer of dry meadows and roadsides, with a tiny dark central floret in each flat flower head. Ancestor of the cultivated carrot. USDA zones 3–9
Wild clary Salvia verbenaca – Native sage of dry grassland and coastal turf, with short violet-blue flower spikes and crinkled aromatic leaves. Closely related to culinary sage. USDA zones 5–9
Wild iris (Fairy iris) Dietes grandiflora – Evergreen South African clump-forming iris relative with stiff sword-like grey-green leaves and elegant white-and-yellow flowers marked with mauve, opening in flushes through warm months. USDA zones 8–11
Yarrow Achillea millefolium – Resilient perennial with finely divided leaves and flat clusters of small flowers in midsummer. Native across both Europe and North America. USDA zones 2–9
Yellow box Eucalyptus melliodora – Tall southeastern Australian native eucalypt reaching 30 m with grey-yellow fissured bark on the lower trunk and smooth above, narrow grey-green leaves, and abundant honey-scented cream flowers in spring. USDA zones 8–10

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