Diary of a Frustrated Gardener: What to Plant for a Drought?
I watch with despair as my carefully curated garden shrivels under Maine's prolonged drought of 2025. The plants, chosen to thrive in their native environment, have turned brown and dry. Even drought-tolerant Joe Pye weed has lost all its color.
With my husband’s frequent warning, “Don’t pull the well dry!” echoing in my mind, I search the garden for signs of survival. I seek plants that have thrived without being watered by hose, preferably native species evolved to endure harsh weather.
Resilient Native Plants Showing Strength
The New England asters stand tall and vibrant, buzzing with pollinators. Their purple, lavender, and mauve flowers seem to shine in the sunlight. Their long stalks stretch beyond the flowerbed, reaching for the sun. These asters not only tolerate the heat but appear to be flourishing. I decide to plant more asters for a late-season bloom, even during drought years.
Discovery in the Wildflower Circle
In the “wildflower circle” I've prepared carefully for native plants, I spot something new among the tall weeds. Using a plant-identifying app, I learn it is sweet fern, Comptonia peregrina. Its serrated leaves are bright, rich green. I clear the surrounding tall grasses with a weed whacker to give it space to grow.
“Don’t pull the well dry!”
Author’s summary: This gardener’s struggle highlights the resilience of native plants like New England asters and sweet fern during Maine’s harsh 2025 drought, guiding future planting choices.