In some parts of Georgia drought is common and poses a looming threat to gardeners. Southern Georgia is currently experiencing dry conditions with moderate drought around Seminole and Charlton counties. For backyard gardens in areas that experience adverse weather conditions, native plants are a wonderful option. Native plants are more resistant to extreme weather due to how they have adapted while surviving many years in a certain area. Adaptations that increase the probability of plant survival in times of drought include the early dropping of leaves, waxy leaf cuticles, and thinner leaves.
Due to these adaptations, there are many trees, shrubs, and vegetables that can thrive in Georgia despite drought conditions. It is important to consider zone when planning your garden so that plants are grown in the season which gives them the highest likelihood of survival. Georgia is home to zones 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, and 8b. In addition to zone, the hours of sun that the garden receives as well as the type of soil present will determine the success of the plants grown. Full sun is indicated by 6+ hours of sunlight each day, and partial sun by 3 – 6 hours daily.
Shade trees may be utilized as cover for plants that are less tolerant to full sun. Trees in the garden also support soil stability and prevent erosion via their root systems which hold the soil together. Those that have seeds and fruits provide food to wildlife that may be struggling in drought conditions. The following trees are native to Georgia and the ideal zone for each is listed.
Trees
1) Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua)
Sweetgum makes a statement in the fall with yellow, orange, or even purple foliage! These leaves will eventually fall as this is a deciduous species. The spiky seeds serve as food for birds but may be a nuisance in terms of upkeep. However, they may be worth it as sweetgum seeds are considered useful mulch. The spikes may deter small animals, snails, and slugs from crops. Sweetgums prefer soil that is moist, rich, and acidic such as that of flood plains. They also prefer full sun. The ideal zones to grow sweetgum are 6b – 8b, so it can be planted anywhere in Georgia.
2) Sycamore (Platanus occidentalis)
Sycamores are known for their unique peeling bark. They are another deciduous tree and grow quite fast. Growing in all Georgia zones, sycamores prefer deep. moist soil and full sun. They can grow to 100 feet tall and make great shade trees. The seed balls produced by this tree can be messy but provide a food source for birds and small mammals.
3) Scarlet oak (Quercus coccinea)
Another deciduous tree, the scarlet oak measures up to its name with vibrant red fall foliage. The scarlet oak drops acorns which feed wildlife and aren’t as messy as the larger seed balls of the previous two trees. It prefers full sun and well-drained soil. Ideal zones for scarlet oak are 6b, 7a, 7b, and 8a.
4) Chestnut oak (Quercus montana)
This tree can thrive in acidic, rocky soils due to naturally growing along ridges and upland in the mountains. It makes a wonderful shade tree. The chestnut oak is slow-growing and can live to 400 years old. It does drop acorns which vigorously resprout, possibly making upkeep difficult. This tree prefers full sun and grows best in zones 6b through 8b.
5) Southern sugar maple (Acer floridanum)
With beautiful fall foliage from yellow to red, the southern sugar maple serves as an alluring point of interest in the fall. This tree can also be utilized for its shade cover. It prefers acidic soils and full sun, and should be pruned when young for an ideal shape. It can be grown in zones 7b, 8a, and 8b.
6) American hornbeam (Carpinus caroliniana)
The American hornbeam develops unique rippled bark as it ages. It doesn’t require extensive pruning and fall foliage ranges from yellow to red. Birds can eat the seeds produced by this tree. The American hornbeam does best in full sun and deep, moist, slightly acidic soils. It can survive in wet soils and naturally grows in flood plains and near water. Ideal for zones 6b through 8b.
7) Carolina silverbell (Halesia tetraptera)
Carolina silverbell is a flowering tree with elegant white, bell-shaped blooms from April to May. The leaves turn yellow in the fall and drop soon after as this is a deciduous species. This tree prefers rich, acidic soil that drains well and full sun. You can grow it in zones 6b, 7a, 7b, and 8a.
8) Possumhaw (Ilex decidua)
Grown for its red fall berries, the possumhaw is an eye-catching specimen tree. The berries provide food for wildlife but are toxic to humans. Ideal conditions for the possumhaw are full or partial sun and moist soil in zones 7a through 8b.
9) Narrow-leaf crabapple (Malus angustifolia)
This flowering tree produces small green fruits that are quite tart, known as crabapples. This fruit is an excellent food source for wildlife that humans can also enjoy – make jam or jelly with it! The flowers are small, pink, and grow in clusters, with South Georgia seeing blooms in late February and North Georgia to the middle of April. Crabapple trees prefer full sun and moist soil in zones 7a, 7b, 8a, and 8b.
10) Ogeechee tupelo (Nyssa ogeche)
The Ogeechee tupelo or Ogeechee lime tree produces small, red fruits that are sour like limes and can be used in the same ways. This fruit is ready in fall alongside the red-to-yellow foliage. Ideally planted in partial to full sun with acidic soil in 7b, 8a, or 8b.
11) Devilwood (Cartrema americana)
Devilwood is a flowering tree with small, highly aromatic, bell-shaped white flowers. It also produces small, round dark-blue fruits for wildlife to enjoy. Devilwood is ideal for zones 7b, 8a, and 8b. It has a preference for moist but well-draining soil.
12) Sourwood (Oxydendrum arboreum)
This flowering tree produces long stems lined with small white flowers. These flowers are edible and can be used to make sourwood jelly. The leaves are also edible, raw or cooked. You can grow sourwood in partial to full sun and moist soil, in zones 6b to 8b.
13) Turkey oak (Quercus laevis)
The turkey oak earned its name from its leaves which resemble a turkey foot due to their three narrow lobes. This tree drops acorns which feed many wildlife species. It can serve as a point of interest in fall with its glossy red foliage. Turkey oak grows best in sandy, well-draining soil and in full sun, zones 8a and 8b.
Shrubs
Shrubs may not be as noticeable as trees or as functional as vegetables and herbs, but they do carry out important roles in the ecosystem. Shrubs serve as a food source for grazing wildlife, shade smaller plants, stabilize the soil, aid in balancing water, storing carbon, and controlling climate.
1) Great laurel (Rhododendron maximum)
This flowering shrub produces clusters of white to pink flowers in the summer. The great laurel is one of the largest evergreen rhododendron species and has the largest leaves out of all the native rhododendrons. The flowers roll up during extreme weather such as drought or cold. It prefers partial shade and acidic, moist soil, in zones 6a, 6b, 7a, and 7b.
2) Winged sumac (Rhus copallina)
Another flowering shrub, the winged sumac produces compact pyramid-shaped clusters of yellow-green flowers in June and July. It also produces red fruits that provide food for wildlife. Winged sumac is very eye-catching in the fall when the foliage turns red. This shrub is especially beneficial for soil stabilization. Winged sumac grows best in full sun with well-draining soil. You can grow it in zones 6b to 8b.
3) Saw palmetto (Serenoa repens)
The saw palmetto has spiny stems and large pointed leaves. This shrub can be used for groundcover, hedges, or barriers in a backyard garden. It can provide cover for small rodents and snakes. The saw palmetto is ideally grown in full sun and well-draining soil, in zones 8a and 8b.
4) Sparkleberry (Vaccinium arboreum)
This deciduous shrub produces clusters of small, white, bell-shaped flowers in May. In fall, black sparkleberries are produced. These berries are a great source of food for wildlife. The foliage is a glossy green until fall when the leaves turn red. Sparkleberry is not picky and grows well with partial to full sun in soil that is both moist and dry. Ideal for zones 7a, 7b, 8a, and 8b.
5) Blackhaw (Viburnum prunifolium)
Blackhaw produces clusters of fragrant white flowers in May. This shrub also produces fruit in the fall – which can be consumed by people and wildlife alike. Blackhaw can grow in full or partial sun and moist or well-draining, dry soil. It is suitable for zones 7a, 7b, 8a, and 8b.
6) Rusty blackhaw (Viburnum rufidulum)
Rusty blackhaw produces white flowers in April and May. The dark blue berries are a sweet edible. It’s distinguishable from Viburnum prunifolium by the rust-colored hairs on its foliage. Rusty blackhaw grows best in partial or full sun, dry to moist soil, and zones 6b to 8b.
Vegetables
In times of drought, vegetables can be grown from transplants to reduce the water necessary to sustain the plant until it can flower and consequently fruit. Choosing crops with faster maturity will also help conserve resources. It is less important that vegetables are native species due to their requirements for survival which limit their ability to spread.
1) Lima beans (Phaseolus lunatus)
Lima beans can thrive in hot, dry climates. You should plant them from March – June and/or July – August. They take about 70 days to mature. Lima beans require full sun and acidic to neutral soil.
2) Corn (Zea mays)
Corn should be planted in late March until June. It takes about 70 – 90 days to reach maturity. Corn varieties that are drought-tolerant absorb and utilize water from the soil more efficiently. For corn to grow properly, it needs access to full sun.
3) Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus)
Since this plant originated in Africa, it is accustomed to heat and drought. Plant okra from April – June or from June – July. This plant takes about 60 days to mature and needs full sun and warm temperatures to survive.
4) Summer squash (Cucurbita pepo)
You should grow summer squash from April – May or in August. Zucchini takes about 50 days to mature and thrives with full sun and moist soil.
5) Carrots (Daucus carota subsp. sativus)
Carrots should be planted from February to March or mid-August to December. It takes about 80 days until carrots are mature. Be sure to provide plenty of water early in the growing season to ensure the plant can withstand drought conditions later on. For carrots to grow properly, they should be planted in full sun and sandy, well-draining soil.
