Outdoor Gardens: Resilient Plants and Crops for Harsh Environments

Gardening in harsh environments, whether it is poor soil, extreme temperatures, drought conditions, or high winds, requires the right plants to guarantee a harvest at the end of the season.

Resilient plants, specifically adapted to withstand harsh conditions, are a practical solution for gardeners struggling to keep crops and plants alive.

This blog explores a variety of hardy plant species that not only survive but flourish in tough environments. The goal is to give you an idea of your options so you can plan your garden according to your climate conditions and succeed!

Frost

Extremely cold climates can lead to frost damage such as browning or blackening of leaves, a water-soaked appearance, stunted growth, dieback of stems and shoots, delayed blooming or fruit development, and a reduced growing season. Here are some options for frost-resilient plants and crops to consider for your garden.

• Rhubarb: Perennial vegetable native to North America, it withstands frost and is ready for harvest in late spring and early summer, making it perfect for frost-prone regions.
• Siberian iris: The perennial bulbs can withstand harsh temperatures, and their flowers bloom in late spring, making them well-suited for colder climates.
• Chives: This hardy perennial herb thrives is as resilient as they come and can withstand frost, and drought making it a reliable choice for colder climates.
• Black-eyed Susan: Hardy native flower with vibrant yellow petals that bloom in late summer and are well-adapted to colder climates.
• Garlic: This resilient bulb is typically planted in late fall or early winter and harvested in late spring or early summer.
• Kale: Resilient leafy green vegetable that remains abundant well into late fall and early winter, making it a staple in frost-prone regions
• Collard greens: Nutritious and hearty crop that can withstand continuous harvest  throughout late fall and early winter, ensuring a bountiful harvest in frost-prone environments.

Heat

Excessive sun exposure can lead to heat stress, increased evaporation, sunburn, rapid water loss, and UV damage in plants. To mitigate these effects, provide shade and consistent watering or select plants and crops that thrive in such environments.

• Lantana: Blooms from late spring to early fall, thriving in the heat due to its ability to conserve water with its narrow leaves and go dormant during dry spells.
• Agastache: Also known as Hyssop, it is a hardy, perennial aromatic shrub that blooms mid to late summer, while its deep roots enable it to withstand heat by accessing moisture deep within the soil.
• Succulents: Aloe vera, cacti, echeveria and other succulent types thrive year-round in hot, dry climates thanks to their water-storing tissues and minimal water needs.
• Mexican sunflower: Native to North America, the Mexican sunflower is a heat-tolerant plant that blooms in late summer and early fall with little need for watering.
• Bougainvillea: This stunning flowering bush blooms in spring and autumn, thriving in hot climates by conserving water with its thick, waxy leaves.
• Okra: Its deep taproot allows access to moisture deep within the soil, while its large leaves provide shade to the soil, reducing water evaporation and preventing heat stress.
• Sweet potatoes: Their sprawling vines create a dense ground cover, conserving soil moisture and regulating soil temperature while its root systems enable them to access water stored deep in the soil during dry periods.

Drought

Drought issues, such as reduced crop yield and soil degradation, can be mitigated by using efficient irrigation methods, soil moisture conservation techniques or drought-tolerant plants. Here are a few plants that are not phased by lack of watering. 

• Prickly Pear cactus: A drought-tolerant plant native to North America, it thrives in arid climates and produces edible fruit when it blooms, with the plant itself being edible all season.
• Sagebrush: Native North American plant, typically used as landscape decor but also known for its resilience and medicinal properties.
• Blanket flower: Also known as gaillardia, is a hardy perennial with daisy-like yellow and red flowers that bloom from late spring to early fall, making it well-suited for sunny and dry environments.
• Yucca: Native desert plant of North America, with sword-shaped leaves and towering flower spikes that is well suited for drought-like conditions.
• Tulsi: Known as Holy Basil and popular in holistic medicine, tulsi's deep roots help it survive in dry environments by accessing underground moisture.
• Thai basil: Yields a harvest almost year-round, and can endure periods of drought as long as it's soaked in water from the roots every other week.
• Lemongrass: Has the ability to go dormant in dry spells to save water and intensify its flavor in the stalks.
• Mint: Known for its invasive nature, it efficiently retains moisture through transpiration, sustaining vigorous growth even in challenging environments, making it difficult to kill.

Poor soil quality

Soil lacking nutrients, highly acidic or alkaline, or with poor structure, such as heavy clay or sandy soil, can impede plant growth. Here are some plants that can thrive even in the toughest soil conditions.

• Coneflower: A resilient perennial with daisy-like flowers that blooms from late spring to early fall, thriving in poor soil conditions like sandy or rocky soils due to its deep root system.
• Goldenrod: Thrives in poor, dry soils, producing bright yellow flowers that bloom in late summer, attracting pollinators and are coveted for their medicinal properties. 
• Lavender: Can grow in dry soil and be ready for harvest in the summer when its blooms are at their peak and the pollinators are all over them.
• Sedum: This stonecrop is well-adapted for poor, rocky soils where other plants often struggle to thrive, blooming in late summer and early fall.
• California poppies: Iconic wildflowers native to the western United States and parts of Mexico, known for vibrant orange instead of red, cup-shaped flowers and fern-like foliage. 

High winds

Strong winds can physically damage plants, cause soil erosion, and increase water loss through evaporation. Here are a few plants that can thrive despite high wind speeds.

• Junipers: Also known as evergreen shrubs are known for their resilience to high winds and harsh climates. 
• Silver sage: This drought-tolerant plant with silvery leaves blooms with tall spikes of white flowers in late spring to early summer, attracting pollinators like bees and butterflies, while its foliage remains unfazed by the winds.
• Sea holly: Also known as eryngos, is a coastal flower with spiky metallic-blue petals tolerant to salt spray and high winds.
• Blue fescue grass: Is an ornamental grass known for its blue-gray foliage and high tolerance to windy conditions, popular for landscape decor.

Heavy rainfall and flooding

Excessive water can lead to waterlogged soil, root rot, and nutrient leaching.

• Junipers: These evergreen shrubs are ready for harvesting during late summer, and they thrive in high winds and harsh climates due to their deep root systems.
• Marsh marigold: This vibrant perennial blooms in early spring and can withstand heavy rainfall because of its ability to grow in marshes, bogs, and along stream banks where water saturation is common.
• Cardinal flower: With blooms emerging in late summer, it remains unaffected by heavy rainfall while attracting hummingbirds with its stunning upright bright red flowers.
• Japanese iris: Thrives in damp environments, blooming during spring and early summer, when it's absorbed all the water needed for ample growth.  

Final thoughts

These are just a few plants and crops that you can grow in harsh conditions, but the options are endless. Find which flowers are native to your area -- those are the ones you should be focusing on, season to season. 

Pay attention to which plants and crops grow best, and which ones to give up early on. Take notes and tweak until it all works for you; don't make yourself suffer through losing crops that have no business growing in your environment!