You can't find a plant more wind-resistant than reeds or grass—there's even an Aesop's fable about the reed's ability to bend with the wind. One beautiful variety is feather reed grass (Calamagrostis x acutiflora), which features a long, golden seed head. You can use clumps of this grass throughout your garden landscape to add texture and height. It's also a candidate for growing in a container.

Texas sage (Leucophyllum frutescens) makes a lovely shrub for gardeners in warm climates. Delightful blooms cover the plant for most of the year, or even all year in ideal conditions. "Tough and dependable in challenging conditions, Texas sage tolerates wind, drought, and poor soil," says master gardener Angela Judd. "Its dense form makes it a strong candidate for a wind-buffering hedge or screen."

If you're looking for a splash of yellow in the garden but also need wind resistance, feathery cassia (Senna artemisioides) is an outstanding choice. "Its open, airy branching allows wind to pass through easily, while flexible stems bend rather than break," explains Judd. "The small, silvery leaves help reduce moisture loss in dry, windy conditions. It also adds movement and texture as the wind flows through it."

Unlike traditional rosemary, trailing rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis 'prostratus') spills downwards, adding a relaxed, happy feel to the garden. "This plant handles wind well thanks to its thick, waxy leaves, sturdy woody stems, and low, sprawling growth habit that keeps it close to the ground," says Judd.

Another lovely grass option is 'Northwind' switchgrass (Panicum virgatum 'Northwind'), which has long, tapering blades that add vertical height to the garden. It's easy to grow and popular in landscaping. "Northwind switchgrass is a native grass with a strong vertical form that stands up to wind without flopping," says Johnsen. "It grows 4 to 5 feet tall and has a golden fall color."

Despite the wispy, delicate appearance of the purple-tinted stems, Russian sage (Salvia yangii) is quite hardy. "It is a sturdy perennial that has long-lasting, lavender-blue flowers in the summer," says Johnsen. "It is deer resistant and has silvery stems that are flexible yet tough." It grows 3 to 4 feet tall, but there are shorter varieties available, such as 'Blue Jean Baby,' she adds.

Daylilies (Hemerocallis) deliver terrific blossoms with an almost leathery feel, putting on a colorful show throughout the blooming season. Despite the weight of the flowers, the slender and flexible stalks keep them safe in the wind. 

Crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia) is a species of flowering shrubs and small trees known for having long-lasting blooms, which put on a show from late May through fall. Sometimes called the "lilac of the south," crape myrtle is famously wind-resistant and might be the perfect addition to your garden or lawn.