Native/heat and drought resistent landscaping plants for central North Carolina?

I spent almost $800.00 on plants when I bought my house (dwarf alberta spruce, blue spruce, fernspray, momi fir – all supposed to grow and thrive in this area) and we are now in our 3rd year of drought and record breaking heat waves (4+ days at 102 degrees, heat index of 110) and in spite of watering (when allowed by restrictions), they’re all dying. It’s making me sick – that’s a LOT of money on my salary. I have a sneaking suspicion that this may be becoming the norm for our area…any suggestions on plants?