For entry in the database, should one check the box 'suitable for xeriscaping' for drought tolerant plants? I have no clue what xeriscaping entails as I live in a temperate climate and rarely water anything.

Xeric is defined as a habitat containing very little moisture. So yes, I'd say "Suitable for xericscaping" is exactly the same as "Drought tolerant"

I don't think they are the same. A plant that is suitable for xeriscaping is, one that is adapted to living in a dry environment. They grow well in xeric conditions, increasing in size, blooming and reproducing. The most obvious would be cactus. But a drought tolerant is, as the name implies "tolerant" of a drought.
A drought is an extended period of below normal rainfall. So a drought tolerant plant is use to a "normal" level rainfall for it's native area, but it can tolerate less for an extended period. Drought tolerant plants may take a little longer to show signs of stress , but they will suffer and eventually die, if not returned to a more "normal" level of irrigation.

I hadn't thought about it that way but I completely agree Jay.

Maybe we should add a second checkbox for Drought Tolerant, then?

I was going to say... six of one, and half a dozen of another ....But I do also agree with Jay. A wonderfully thought out position!

dave said:Maybe we should add a second checkbox for Drought Tolerant, then?

Hopefully we can work on expanding and correcting these two checkboxes.
We currently have 947 entries with "Suitable for xeriscaping (Drought tolerant)" checked. Some of which are clearly not xeric.

This is done! "Drought tolerant" has been added under "Miscellaneous"

Great, this clears things up in my mind and I will now freely check the drought tolerant box. As always, a courteous and lively discussion with a good resolution.