Not to be overlooked are the Solidago species of Goldenrod. These plants are often looked upon as weeds here in their native land, but the British use them extensively in their gardens. Neither salt, sun, wind or drought seem to bother the plants, and they provide a wealth of color from summer into fall. Solidago species produce a heavy pollen that is carried by bees and flies, not the wind. They are falsely accused of causing allergies.
Dry weather can also have an indirect benefit on many of our woody landscape trees and shrubs.
Stress, such as low water availability, change the hormonal distribution in the plant. For instance, water stress triggers decreased auxin levels and increased abscisic acid production. Auxins are involved in the growth of all parts of the plant, and abscisic acid in an inhibitor which is thought to be involved in inducing dormancy. Therefore, under low water conditions, growth slows to a sub-normal rate. As long as trees and shrubs are able to remain alive under drought conditions, the reduced moisture levels could be considered as a form of natural pruning.