Which perennials grow well in dry soils?

Question:

Which perennials grow well in dry soils?

Answer:

Perennials for sunny locations that tolerate dry soils include,

• yarrow (Achillea spp.)**
• golden marguerite (Anthemis tinctoria)
• butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa)+
• sea thrift (Armeria maritima)*
• wormwood (Artemisia spp.)**
• false blue indigo (Baptisia australis)*
• threadleaf coreopsis (Coreopsis verticillata)*
• pink (Dianthus spp.)
• purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)+
• globe thistle (Echinops ritro)
• sea holly (Eryngium alpinum)
• blanket flower (Gaillardia x grandiflora)
• baby's breath (Gypsophila spp.)
• showy stonecrop (Hylotelephium spectabile)
• blazing star (Liatris spicata)*
• sea lavender (Limonium latifolium)
• hollyhock mallow (Malva alcea)
• catmint (Nepeta racemosa)
• Ozark sundrops (Oenothera missouriensis)*
• Russian sage (Salvia yangii, syn. Perovskia atriplicifolia)
• moss phlox (Phlox subulata)+
• black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia fulgida)*
• goldenrod (Solidago)**
• lamb’s ear (Stachys byzantina)
• aromatic aster (Symphyotrichum oblongifolium)+
• ornamental grasses (various species)**

Perennials for shady locations that tolerate dry conditions include, 

• bear’s breeches (Acanthus spinosus)
• lady's mantle (Alchemilla mollis)
• columbine (Aquilegia canadensis)+
• masterwort (Astrantia major)
• yellow corydalis (Corydalis lutea)
• barrenwort, bishop's hat (Epimedium × rubrum)

* Native to parts of North America
** Some species native to parts of North America
+ Native to North America, including parts of Iowa

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Learn more in this article: Perennials Tolerant of Dry Conditions