Who doesn’t want trees in their yard? As long as you have the space, trees are a wonderful addition to the garden or landscape. There is such a range of trees, however, that it can be a little overwhelming trying to pick the right species for your situation. If your climate has particularly hot and dry summers, a lot of possible trees are pretty much out. That doesn’t mean you have no options, though. Keep reading to learn more about growing and choosing zone 9 trees with low water needs.
Growing Zone 9 Drought Tolerant Trees
Here are a few good drought tolerant trees for zone 9 gardens and landscapes:
Sycamore – Both California and western sycamores are hardy in zones 7 through 10. They are fast growing and branch out nicely, making them good drought tolerant shade trees.
Cypress – Leyland, Italian, and Murray cypress trees all perform well in zone 9. While each variety has its own characteristics, as a rule these trees are tall and narrow and make very good privacy screens when planted in a row.
Ginkgo – A tree with interestingly shaped leaves that turn brilliant gold in the autumn, gingko trees can tolerate climates as warm as zone 9 and require very little maintenance.
Crepe Myrtle – Crepe myrtles are very popular hot weather ornamental trees. They will produce brilliantly colored flowers all through the summer. Some popular varieties that thrive in zone 9 are Muskogee, Sioux, Pink Velour, and Enduring Summer.
Windmill Palm – An easy to grow, low maintenance palm tree that will tolerate temperatures that dip below freezing, windmill palm will reach 20 to 30 feet (6-9 m.) in height when mature.
Holly – Holly is a very popular tree that is usually evergreen and often produces berries for added winter interest. Some varieties that do especially well in zone 9 include American and Nelly Stevens.
Ponytail Palm – Hardy in zones 9 through 11, ponytail palm, a very low maintenance plant, has a thick trunk and attractive, thin fronds.
