Best Low-Maintenance Landscaping Plants for Tri-Cities Homeowners
Living in the Tri-Cities means enjoying over 300 days of sunshine a year—but it also means dealing with hot summers, cold winters, and dry conditions. For homeowners in Kennewick, Pasco, and Richland, this unique climate calls for smart landscaping choices that look great without demanding too much time or water. Whether you're trying to reduce your outdoor workload or save on your water bill, choosing low-maintenance, drought-tolerant plants is the way to go.
Here’s a helpful guide to the best low-maintenance landscaping plants that thrive right here in the Columbia Basin.
Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia)
Russian Sage is a woody perennial with tall spikes of lavender-blue flowers that bloom from midsummer to fall. Its aromatic, silvery foliage adds texture and contrast to gardens. It thrives in hot, dry conditions and is highly drought-tolerant once established.
- Why It Thrives: Adapted to hot, dry conditions; drought-tolerant once established; prefers full sun and well-drained soil.
- Perfect For: Borders, mass plantings, and xeriscaping.
- Maintenance Tips: Prune back in early spring to promote vigorous growth; avoid overwatering to prevent root rot.
- Additional Insights: Attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies; deer-resistant.
Blue Fescue (Festuca glauca)
Blue Fescue is a compact ornamental grass known for its fine-textured, blue-gray foliage. It maintains a neat, mounded shape throughout the growing season, providing excellent structure to landscapes. It is well-suited to dry conditions and requires minimal maintenance.
- Why It Thrives: Thrives in full sun and well-drained soil; drought-tolerant once established.
- Perfect For: Rock gardens, borders, and as a groundcover.
- Maintenance Tips: Remove spent flower heads to maintain appearance; divide clumps every few years to rejuvenate.
- Additional Insights: Combines well with other drought-tolerant plants; maintains color and form throughout the year.
Blanket Flower (Gaillardia aristata)
Blanket Flower is a hardy perennial that produces vibrant daisy-like blooms in shades of red, yellow, and orange. This plant thrives in sunny, dry environments and offers long-lasting color from early summer to fall. It is highly drought-tolerant and attracts a variety of pollinators.
- Why It Thrives: Prefers full sun and well-drained soil; drought-tolerant and heat-resistant.
- Perfect For: Wildflower gardens, borders, and attracting pollinators.
- Maintenance Tips: Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continuous blooming; cut back after flowering to promote new growth.
- Additional Insights: Attracts bees and butterflies; deer-resistant.
Ice Plant (Delosperma cooperi)
Ice Plant is a low-growing succulent groundcover with vibrant magenta flowers. It is perfect for adding color to dry, sunny areas and is highly drought-tolerant. Its fleshy leaves help retain moisture, making it an ideal choice for xeriscaping.
- Why It Thrives: Thrives in full sun and well-drained, sandy or gravelly soil; highly drought-tolerant.
- Perfect For: Groundcover, rock gardens, and slopes.
- Maintenance Tips: Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot; trim back after flowering to maintain tidiness.
- Additional Insights: Flowers open during the day and close at night; attracts pollinators.
Lavender (Lavandula spp.)
Lavender is a fragrant evergreen shrub known for its spikes of purple flowers and aromatic foliage. It thrives in well-drained soil and full sun, making it ideal for dry, sunny gardens. Lavender is both ornamental and functional, attracting pollinators while offering soothing fragrance.
- Why It Thrives: Requires full sun and well-drained soil; drought-tolerant and heat-resistant.
- Perfect For: Herb gardens, borders, and attracting pollinators.
- Maintenance Tips: Prune after flowering to maintain shape; avoid excessive watering to prevent root rot.
- Additional Insights: Deer-resistant; aromatic foliage adds sensory interest to gardens.
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
Yarrow is a versatile perennial that produces flat-topped clusters of flowers in a range of colors, from yellow to red, and is known for its fern-like leaves. It thrives in hot, dry conditions and attracts pollinators while being highly resistant to drought once established.
- Why It Thrives: Prefers full sun and well-drained soil; drought-tolerant and deer-resistant.
- Perfect For: Wildflower gardens, borders, and attracting beneficial insects.
- Maintenance Tips: Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continuous blooming; divide clumps every few years to maintain vigor.
- Additional Insights: Leaves have a fern-like texture; drought-tolerant once established.
Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)
Purple Coneflower is a popular perennial that produces large, daisy-like flowers with purple petals and a prominent seed cone. It blooms from mid-summer to fall and is well-suited for dry, sunny locations. It attracts bees, butterflies, and birds, making it a great addition to wildlife-friendly gardens.
- Why It Thrives: Prefers full sun and well-drained soil; drought-tolerant and attracts pollinators.
- Perfect For: Wildflower gardens, borders, and attracting bees and butterflies.
- Maintenance Tips: Deadhead spent flowers to promote continuous blooming; cut back in late fall or early spring.
- Additional Insights: Produces seeds that are attractive to birds; deep taproot makes it drought-tolerant.
Autumn Joy Sedum (Hylotelephium 'Herbstfreude')
Autumn Joy Sedum, also known as stonecrop, is a hardy succulent that produces clusters of pink flowers in late summer, which mature to deep red in fall. This low-maintenance perennial thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, offering a burst of color as other plants begin to fade.
- Why It Thrives: Requires full sun and well-drained soil; drought-tolerant and heat-resistant.
- Perfect For: Rock gardens, borders, and late-season color.
- Maintenance Tips: Cut back in early spring to promote new growth; avoid overwatering to prevent root rot.
- Additional Insights: Attracts butterflies; foliage turns attractive shades of red in fall.
Serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia)
Serviceberry is a small tree or large shrub that features delicate white flowers in spring, followed by edible purple-black berries in summer. It also provides stunning fall color with vibrant yellow and red foliage. It is a versatile plant suitable for a variety of landscapes, from borders to small trees.
- Why It Thrives: Prefers full sun to part shade and well-drained soil; drought-tolerant once established; hardy in a variety of soil types.
- Perfect For: Mixed borders, wildlife gardens, and as a small landscape tree.
- Maintenance Tips: Prune after flowering to maintain shape; thin out old wood to encourage new growth; monitor for pests like aphids.
- Additional Insights: Attracts birds and pollinators; the berries are edible and can be used in jams or pies; offers four-season interest.
Ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius)
Ninebark is a hardy deciduous shrub with attractive peeling bark and clusters of small white or pink flowers that bloom in late spring. Its foliage turns vibrant colors in the fall, adding interest to the garden year-round. It is drought-tolerant and works well as a hedge, foundation planting, or privacy screen.
- Why It Thrives: Thrives in full sun to part shade and well-drained soil; very tolerant of drought and a wide range of soil types.
- Perfect For: Hedge plantings, foundation plantings, and privacy screens.
- Maintenance Tips: Prune after flowering to shape and remove any dead or damaged wood; prune heavily every few years to encourage new growth.
- Additional Insights: Resistant to deer; the bark is its standout feature, peeling in strips for added texture and interest throughout the year; attracts pollinators.
Creating an Easy-to-Maintain Landscape
Creating a low-maintenance landscape in Kennewick, Pasco, or Richland doesn’t mean giving up beauty. By choosing smart, region-appropriate plants, you’ll save water, time, and money—all while building a landscape that thrives in our sunny, arid climate.
Looking for even more local landscaping advice? Our Tri-Cities-based landscaping professional at can help design a yard that looks great year-round and works with the environment—not against it. Learn more about our landscaping services or get started by contacting our team today!