There are many perennials that require little water, and some of them are favorites such as lavender, rosemary and sage, all classic Mediterranean plants. Other top waterwise plants are yarrow, coneflower, Jupiter’s beard, gaillardia, gaura, coreopsis, Russian sage, sedum and plumbago. Also included in this group are perennials with fleshy roots like agapanthus and fortnight lily. For shade, top unthirsty perennials are hellebore, acanthus, bergenia, and clivia.