Post-Helene: The Challenge of Drought
Like many gardeners in our region, you may be starting to replace plants lost to Hurricane Helene. There are many issues you’ll want to think through in selecting new plants, some of which we’ve featured in recent blogs, such as changes in sun or wind exposure, a need to stabilize slopes, or the desire to garden economically. A plant’s drought tolerance is yet another variable you may want to consider.
Why drought tolerance?
Droughts are defined by precipitation—rain and snow, in our region—that is below normal levels for an extended period. According to the North Carolina State Climate Office, despite the torrential rainfall associated with Helene, Buncombe County was abnormally dry or in moderate drought conditions for close to half of 2024. One conclusion of the North Carolina Climate Science Report, a comprehensive document assessing climate change in our state, was that droughts are likely to increase in frequency and severity in the coming years. Make a habit of checking the North Carolina Drought Management Advisory Council’s drought map, updated every Thursday, for current drought status of every county in the state, (see the current drought status update for April 1, 2025 here).
How to find drought-tolerant plants
To locate drought-resistant plants, begin by consulting the NC Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox. Using the “find a plant” search option, under the “Landscape” menu on the left of the screen, click on the “resistance to challenges” option underneath; then click on “drought.” You can combine this search with other variables of interest to you such as light conditions, available space to plant, and plant size. While not all native plants are drought-tolerant, they are better adapted to our growing conditions than non-natives, surviving past droughts in the Southeast. The North Carolina Botanical Gardens offers specific suggestions for drought-tolerant native wildflowers, grasses, and shrubs.
Water, water, water!
To increase the availability of water for your gardens, consider investing in cisterns or rain barrels to harvest rainwater. The Buncombe County Cooperative Extension office is currently selling 50-gallon rain barrels, made in North Carolina (see purchase information here). To make the most efficient use of the water you have available, follow these strategies:
- Water slowly, to allow water to penetrate the soil rather than running off; a soaker hose—a hose with
small holes in it so that water is released slowly—is ideal for this purpose! - Water deeply, but only when needed; use a rain gauge or simply touch the soil to assess dryness.
- Avoid overhead watering, water at plant roots.
- Water early in the morning or in the evening to minimize evaporation.
A thick layer of mulch on garden beds will also conserve water by keeping soil moist and preventing the growth of weeds, which compete with desired plants for water. Given current fire risk, choose shredded bark, pine nuggets, or wood chip mulch rather than more flammable pine needles and straw.
Right plant, right place
The likelihood of greater “weather whiplash” in our future means that gardeners must consider “right plant, right place”—a guiding principle of the Plant Toolbox-in selecting plants. In a recent Gardening in the Mountains presentation, Luke Owen, Buncombe County Cooperative Extension Commercial Horticulture Agent, reviewed many additional environmental factors that are important to assess in planning gardens. A video of that presentation is available on the Buncombe County Master Gardener website: Gardening Video: Right Plant—Right Place
Article written by Melissa Himelein, Extension Master GardenerSM volunteer
For more information –
Resources on droughts:
– The Weather Year in Review (summary of NC weather trends in 2024 from the North Carolina State Climate Office)
– North Carolina Climate Science Report (scientific analysis of climate trends in NC)
– Drought Maps (NC Drought Management Advisory Council map archives)
Finding drought-tolerant plants:
– Drought-tolerant native plants
– Drought-tolerant trees (also includes other plants)
Conserving water in the garden:
– Rainwater harvesting (information on cisterns and rain barrels)
– Tips and methods for watering (more detailed information about watering)
– Dealing with drought (drought-management strategies for different types of plants)
– The What, Why and How of Mulching