Water-Wise Trees
“Water-wise” plants will usually thrive in their preferred soil and light conditions with minimal supplemental water after they become established — usually after two years of consistent, deep watering and fertilization. They are also sometimes referred to as “low water use” or “drought-tolerant” (although very few plants can go without any water for a long time).
The first two growing seasons after planting are the most critical to insure that your plant develops a sufficiently deep root system to withstand future drought conditions. With adequate care during this initial period, the plant should withstand minimal watering during typical dry spells.
For more detailed information, please refer to individual cultivar signs, or consult one of Swanson’s nursery professionals. Also pick up our handout, “Water-Wise Gardening Tips.”
AMUR MAPLE Acer ginnala. (S) denotes shade tolerant when young
BOX ELDER Acer negundo
MARINA STRAWBERRY Arbutus x ‘Marina’
STRAWBERRY TREE Arbutus unedo
SILKTREE Albizia julibrissin
INCENSE CEDAR Calocedrus decurrens
CATALPA Catalpa bignonoides
RAY HARTMAN Ceanothus ‘Ray Hartman’
WILD LILAC
TRUE CEDAR Cedrus spp.
PALMS Chamaerops,
Trachycarpus, etc.
LEYLAND CYPRESS Cupressocyparis leylandii
ARIZONA CYPRESS Cupressus arizonica
ITALIAN CYPRESS Cupressus sempervirens
SMOKETREE Cotinus coggygria
HAWTHORN Crataegus spp.
RUSSIAN OLIVE Elaeagnus angustifolia
EUCALYPTUS Eucalyptus spp.
ASH Fraxinus spp.
GINKGO Ginkgo biloba
HONEYLOCUST Gleditsia triacanthos
HOLLY Ilex spp. (S)
JUNIPER Juniperus spp
GOLDENRAIN TREE Koelreuteria paniculata
GOLDENCHAIN Laburnum spp.
CRAPE MYRTLE Lagerstroemia spp.
JUNIPER Juniperus spp.
JAPANESE KERRIA Kerria japonica (S)
CRAPE MYRTLE Lagerstroemia spp.
BAY LAUREL Laurus nobilis
CRABAPPLE Malus spp.
SOURWOOD Oxydendrum arboreum
PARROTIA Parrotia persica
PINE Pinus spp.
ASPEN Populus tremuloides
ENGLISH LAUREL Prunus laurocerasus. (S)
PORTUGAL LAUREL Prunus lusitanica. (S)
DOUGLAS FIR Pseudotsuga menziesii
FLOWERING PEAR Pyrus spp.
OAK Quercus spp.
LOCUST Robinia spp.
GIANT SEQUOIA Sequoiadendron giganteum
MOUNTAIN ASH Sorbus spp.
YEW Taxus spp. (S)
WESTERN RED CEDAR Thuja plicata (S)
OREGON MYRTLE Umbellularia californica
JAPANESE ZELKOVA Zelkova serrata
