In the heart of the Okanagan, we know what it’s like to go weeks—sometimes months—without a drop of rain. With water restrictions becoming more common in the summer, homeowners are looking for smarter ways to maintain beautiful yards without turning on the taps. Xeriscaping has become a popular go-to, but there’s more to drought-tolerant landscaping than gravel and cactus. The secret? Native plants. These are species that have evolved to thrive in the Okanagan’s dry climate, meaning they’re naturally adapted to local soils, pests, and—most importantly—limited water. And the bonus? Many are just as lush, colourful, and attractive as their high-maintenance counterparts.
Seven Native Okanagan Plants that Thrive Under Water Restrictions
Here are seven native Okanagan plants that are perfect for creating a vibrant, low-water landscape:
- Blanketflower (Gaillardia aristata)
A long-blooming wildflower that brings bright orange, red, and yellow tones to any yard. Blanketflower thrives in full sun and dry soil, making it ideal for Okanagan summers. It also attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies.
- Nodding Onion (Allium cernuum)
This unique, ornamental onion features delicate pinkish-purple blooms that gently nod in the breeze. Drought-tolerant and deer-resistant, it adds soft movement and colour to garden beds and borders.
- Western Yarrow (Achillea millefolium var. occidentalis)
With its fern-like foliage and flat clusters of white or yellow flowers, yarrow is both tough and beautiful. It spreads easily, tolerates drought like a champ, and can handle foot traffic, making it a great option for groundcover.
- Arrowleaf Balsamroot (Balsamorhiza sagittata)
This iconic Okanagan plant—with its large, sunflower-like blooms—is often seen on hillsides in early spring. It prefers open, sunny areas and thrives on neglect. Plant it once, and it’ll keep coming back year after year.
- Snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus)
A hardy, deciduous shrub that does well in sun or partial shade. It produces small, pink flowers in spring followed by clusters of white berries in the fall. Snowberry is perfect for hedges or naturalized areas and helps stabilize slopes and poor soil.
- Showy Milkweed (Asclepias speciosa)
Not only is this drought-tolerant perennial great for dry gardens, it’s also a vital food source for monarch butterflies. Its fragrant pink flowers bloom in mid-summer and can handle the full brunt of the Okanagan sun.
- Oregon Grape (Mahonia aquifolium)
This evergreen shrub offers year-round interest—bright yellow flowers in spring, followed by blue berries and deep red-purple foliage in the fall. It’s deer-resistant and tolerates drought once established.
Smarter Landscaping for a Changing Climate
Using native plants in your landscape doesn’t just reduce water usage—it supports local ecosystems, attracts pollinators, and cuts down on maintenance. Many of these plants require little more than occasional weeding and pruning once they’re established.
Even if you’re not going full xeriscape, mixing in native species is a smart way to future-proof your yard as summers grow hotter and drier.
At Okanagan Yard Works, we believe drought-tolerant doesn’t have to mean boring. If you’re ready to refresh your outdoor space with climate-smart, locally adapted plants, reach out for a consultation—we’d love to help design a landscape that looks great all summer long (without soaking your water bill).
