Anything smaller is ground cover. Anything larger is a tree. Most bushes are also easy to place in the landscape. Drought-tolerant shrubs can survive and even flourish on only the water Mother Nature provides. Sometimes there is a misconception of what drought tolerant means, Goodspeed says.
People often conjure up an image of cactus and a few other tough succulents.
Most are simply over-watered because they receive the same amount of water as everything else in the landscape. Plant this type of shrub or bush away from the others and it will survive without irrigation or with just occasional watering. Mountain mahogany can reach a height of 10 feet with a spread of about 6 feet. It can be pruned to keep it smaller. Smooth sumac is known for its beautiful, red fall color.