What can I plant in a dry river bed?

A dry river bed can present some unique challenges for planting, as the soil is often very rocky, sandy, and lacks nutrients and organic matter. However, with some planning and preparation, a dry river bed can be transformed into a thriving garden oasis. When selecting plants, the most important considerations are drought tolerance, ability to grow in poor soil, and erosion control. Here are some of the best options for planting in a dry river bed.

Grasses

Grasses are one of the best choices for planting in dry river beds as they can withstand drought, require little soil nutrients, and their roots help control erosion. Some excellent grass options include:

• Buffalograss – A warm-season, native prairie grass that grows well in sandy, low fertility soils.
• Blue grama grass – Another prairie native that establishes quickly and can survive with very little water.
• Bermudagrass – An aggressive, heat-loving grass that spreads by rhizomes and is extremely drought tolerant.
• Broomsedge – A clumping grass native to riparian areas that provides nice fall color.
• Little bluestem – A prairie grass that thrives in dry, sandy soils and provides beautiful texture.

When planting grasses, it’s best to sow them as densely as possible to help stabilize the soil and prevent erosion. Planting a mix of several grass varieties will provide diversity and improved ground cover.

Wildflowers

Wildflowers are an excellent choice for dry river beds as they have very low water needs, brighten up the landscape, and attract pollinators. Some great options include:

• Black-eyed Susan – A drought-tolerant perennial with sunny yellow flowers that blooms all summer.
• Purple coneflower – Features vibrant pink-purple blooms on tough plants that thrive in poor soils.
• Lance-leaved coreopsis – Abundant yellow blooms spring through summer on this adaptable wildflower.
• Blanket flower – Produces colorful red and yellow flowers for months on deeply taprooted plants.
• Wild columbine – An easy-care wildflower that adds charming red and yellow blooms in spring.
• California poppy – The state flower of California thrives in dry conditions with its vibrant orange blooms.

For best results, plant wildflowers densely and water occasionally for the first year to help them establish. Once settled in, they will be quite drought resistant.

Succulents

With their ultra drought tolerance and sculptural forms, succulents are perfect candidates for dry river beds. Some excellent options include:

• Sedum – Low-growing varieties like Autumn Joy sedum work well and tolerate drought and poor soil.
• Hens and chicks – Also called sempervivum, these rosette-forming succulents spread nicely to cover ground.
• Aloe – Clump-forming aloes add height and striking architectural shapes.
• Prickly pear cactus – Hardy and waterwise, prickly pear provides interesting texture with its paddle-shaped pads.
• Yucca – Adds height and drama with sword-like leaves and tall flower spikes.

When planting succulents, good drainage is essential. Amend the soil with gravel or small rocks to ensure the soil drains well to prevent rot. Space plants 18-24 inches apart for full coverage as they grow.

Native Shrubs

Native shrubs well adapted to drought are excellent choices for dry river beds. Some great options include:

• Apache plume – A New Mexico native shrub with wispy foliage and beautiful pink flower plumes.
• Indigobush – Tolerates heat and drought while providing vibrant purple flowers in summer.
• Jojoba – Grown for its drought resistance and edible wax coated seeds.
• Desert willow – Boasts showy summer blooms on this tough Southwest native shrub.
• Mesquite – Features feathery, fern-like foliage and interesting seed pods on this very drought-hardy native.

Space shrubs at least 8 feet apart to allow them room to grow. Water occasionally while establishing for the first two years.

Hardy Perennials

Though most perennials require more water, some very tough varieties can work well in dry river beds. Options to try include:

• Russian sage – Silvery foliage and purple flower spikes thrive in heat and drought.
• Red hot poker – Produces showy torch-like blooms on drought-tolerant plants.
• Yarrow – Foliage stays fresh with little water and blooms attract butterflies.
• Lavender – Needs good drainage but tolerates low water once established.
• Penstemon – Tubular flower clusters add color all summer with very little watering.

Group perennials together in islands surrounded by paths of gravel or stone. This allows you to water just the planted areas.

Groundcovers

For creating lush, vegetated groundcover even in dry conditions, these plants are excellent choices:

• Sedum – Low-growing varieties spread nicely with little maintenance.
• Ice plant – Thrives in full sun and needs no supplemental water once established.
• Creeping thyme – Provides scented foliage and purple flowers with very little water.
• Verbena – Drought-tolerant perennial verbena spreads vigorously over soil.
• Dwarf coyote brush – Native groundcover for the western U.S. that needs no extra water.

Space groundcovers 12-18 inches apart and trim back as needed to control spread. They will fill in rapidly, choking out weeds and stabilizing soil.

Trees

Although large trees have higher water requirements, there are some drought-resistant trees ideally suited for dry river beds including:

• Palo verde – Beautiful green bark and yellow blooms thrive with little supplemental irrigation.
• Olive – Modest water needs once established and provides edible fruit.
• Mesquite – Ferny foliage and interesting seed pods on this extremely drought-hardy native.
• Pine – Foothills, pinyon, and bristlecone pine species are adapted to dry conditions.

Space trees at least 30 feet apart and irrigate infrequently but deeply for the first two years while establishing. Look for smaller, younger trees which will adapt more easily than larger transplants.

Soil Preparation

Preparing the planting site properly goes a long way towards helping plants thrive in a dry river bed. Here are some tips:

• Loosen compacted soil – Use a pickaxe or tiller to break up heavily packed soil to improve drainage and root penetration.
• Improve water retention – Mix in 2-3 inches of compost to help the soil better hold onto moisture.
• Direct downspouts – Position drainage spouts from gutters and downspouts towards planted areas to take advantage of runoff.
• Use terracing – On slopes, create terraced beds separated by low rock walls to reduce erosion and retain moisture and soil.
• Add organic mulch – Spread a 2-3 inch layer of bark chips, leaves, straw or other mulch over soil to conserve moisture and improve the soil as it decomposes.

Supplemental Irrigation

Even the most drought tolerant plants may need occasional deep watering to thrive. Here are some creative irrigation methods to use:

• Drip irrigation – Most effective method for watering individual plants slowly and directly without waste.
• Ollas – Unglazed terra cotta pots buried by each plant to slowly release water into the soil as needed.
• Soaker hoses – Porous hoses laid out through planting beds wet soil gradually without runoff.
• Rain chains – Direct rainwater flowing off the roof through an attractive chain that distributes water around a planted area.
• Rain barrels – Capture rainwater from the roof in barrels and use stored water to occasionally irrigate planting beds.

Group plants with similar watering needs together for easier, more efficient irrigation. Monitor soil moisture and only water when the top few inches become dry.

Conclusion

With careful planning and plant selection, a dry river bed can be successfully transformed into a beautiful drought tolerant landscape. Look for native grasses, wildflowers, succulents, shrubs, trees and perennials well adapted to dry conditions in your region. Prepare the soil properly, incorporate organic matter, use mulch, and irrigate minimally but deeply when needed. Choose plants suited to dry, poor-soil environments and group together based on watering needs. Paying attention to the special challenges dry river beds present will lead to a stunning, low-maintenance landscape that thrives with little supplemental water.