Water-wise Gardening!

Xeriscaping and Drought Tolerant Plants

Recently, we have not been able to listen to the local weather without being told how far behind we are in yearly rainfall. Since January, we have received only two thirds of our normal precipitation. Yet our gardens provide the flowers needed by our butterflies and bees, and provide us with a place of tranquility after a hard day at work. So what can we do?  How can we have the beauty of the garden, yet not feel that we are wasting a precious resource?

Not a New Problem

Xeriscaping is a water-wise approach to gardening that was developed over 30 years ago for the arid regions of the western United States. In the east, a modified version of xeriscaping can be used to conserve water during times of drought. It brings seven principles into play in the development and maintenance of your landscape.

Have a Plan!

Group plants based on drought tolerance. Choose drought tolerant plants for the sunniest areas of your landscape. Plants with greater moisture requirements should be planted in semi-shade or perhaps closer to the house or another water source.

Choose Your Plants Carefully

A few water-loving plants are fine, but place them close to the house and water. For gardens farther from a water source, native and introduced plants that thrive in dry conditions are best. There are many wonderful drought tolerant shrubs and perennials available for your full sun and shady gardens. These are mainly native species that have been hybridized into gorgeous cultivars. Some of these plants are drought tolerant once established, so you may need to water them at first, but gradually you can cut back.

Improve Your Soil

The more organic material you can work into the soil the better its moisture retention will be. Amend the soil before planting and use an organic mulch.

Mulch, Mulch, Mulch!

Organic mulch not only shades the soil, reducing evaporation by lowering the surface temperature, it also breaks down adding much needed organic matter to the soil. A three-inch layer of mulch is recommended when starting beds, and a yearly addition goes a long way in conserving water.

Practical Turf Areas

Plant only practical turf grass areas (aka LAWN). Keeping a lawn green requires a lot water and fertilizer. Adding more flower beds allows you to minimize your lawn area, using it mainly to create grassy avenues between your gardens.

Efficient Watering

Water slowly and gently over an 8-12 hour period to avoid water loss due to run off. Some clay soils can only absorb 1/4" of water per hour. Remember as your drought tolerant plants age, they will require less water.

Maintain Your Xeriscape

Proper maintenance of your gardens means proper watering, weeding, feeding, mowing, and pruning. It is especially important to mow your grass high. André recommends a mowing height of 3". This shades the soil and lessens evaporation. Maintain 2½"-3" of mulch on your garden beds. Do not prune plants heavily during times of water stress as this stimulates new growth which requires more water.

Drought Tolerant Perennials

Acanthus - Bears Breech
Achillea - Yarrow
Aegopodium - Bishop's Weed
Agastache
Aquilegia - Columbine
Artemisia
Armeria - Sea Thrift
Aster
Aurinia - Basket of Gold
Baptisia - Wild Indigo
Brunnera - Perennial Forget-me-not
Centaurea - Persian Cornflower
Ceratostigma - Leadwort, Plumbago
Chrysogonum - Green and Gold
Coreopsis - Tickseed
Daylilies
Delosperma - Ice Plant
Dianthus - Carnation
Echinacea purpurea - Coneflower
Echinops - Globe Thistle
Epimedium - Barrenwort
Euphorbia - Spurge
Gaillardia - Blanket Flower
Gaura
Geranium
Gypsophila - Baby's Breath
Helianthemum - Sun Rose, Rock Rose
Heliopsis - Sunflower
Iberis - Candytuft
Iris
Kniphofia - Red Hot Poker
Lamium - Dead Nettle
Lavandula - Lavender
Liatris - Blazing Star
Most Ornamental Grasses
Nepeta - Catmint
Oenothera - Sun Drops, Evening Primrose
Perovskia - Russian Sage
Phlox subulata - Mountain Pink
Platycodon - Balloonflower
Peonies
Poppies
Rudbeckia - Brown-Eyed Susan
Salvia - Sage
Sedum - Stonecrop
Solidago - Goldenrod
Stachys - Woolly Lamb's Ears
Stokesia - Stoke's Aster
Thymus - Thyme
Tradescantia - Spiderwort
Waldsteinia - Barren Strawberry

Drought Tolerant Shrubs

Buddleia - Butterfly Bush
Crape Myrtle (once established)
Hibiscus syriacus - Rose of Sharon
Hypericum - St. John's Wort
Ilex - Hollies
Juniper
Mahonia - Oregon Grape Holly
Potentilla - Cinquefoil
Pyracantha - Firethorn