Water-Wise Gardens

May 29, 2008
By: Pamela Nobles

Using water judiciously does not mean having less greenery, but it does mean putting more thought into plant selection and garden design. Fortunately, giving more consideration to what and where to plant can result in an even better garden than might be imagined. No longer are water-wise gardens considered lesser landscapes; these days gardeners know that the desire to reduce water usage can inspire fabulous plant combinations, year-round interest and gardens that people want to live in. Strategies that can lead to a beautiful – and water-conserving – landscape are three-fold: group plants with similar needs; use compost to help retain soil moisture; and use water judiciously. There are many plants that absolutely can be less work for the gardener with more compliments from your neighbors, friends and family. So for those people that don’t always have time with their busy schedules to water you can still come home from work after a long day and find your yard just as beautiful as the day before without all the fuss. After years of gardening, intense preparation of the soil, adding the needed nutrients for those plants that I surely thought would survive without water made me know that I needed to delve into this gardening more seriously after spending all that hard earned money. I’m one of those visionaries with a creative mind, so I’m always looking for ways to enhance the beauty of my yard whether it be a sunny or shady location. This also keeps me challenged, as well as, my husband and too, it means less area to mow! Living out of town in the country on one of those dusty roads during those dry seasons, can be a bit unsightly. However, the first area you’d see coming into my driveway is the mailbox as the house sits back off the road. So I set out to capture ‘the eye of the beholder’ by choosing to make a large oval garden area that would do just that! I chose the hardy, vigorous, sprawling Lantana (many varieties) and the Mexican Sage bush (both perennials) that were mulched with the proper nutrients where the water does not evaporate from the soil surface as quickly. Now there are many others to choose from, such as; the Buddleja (butterfly bush), Gaura bush, Coreopsis, Verbena, Russian Sage, Lavender, English ivy, Achillea (Yarrow), Bee Balm, Coral Bells (Huechera), Hosta to name a few where you can design and landscape an area close to the home, along the driveway, or around some of your favorite trees. Now let me say this, don’t make the mistake of thinking that just because the above mentioned plants are considered "drought tolerant plants" means they can survive without water. No plant can survive without getting them established first. Give them a few weeks to get acclimated to the soil by saturating those thirsty root systems with a drink of water. Sun on windy days will dry out and scorch leaves, whereas plants may easily tolerate the same sun without the winds. Either way when the heat index is high you can be sure that it will zap the moisture out of the plants much quicker. Also, if you choose to put these plants in containers, whether it be terra cotta, plastic, wood, or wrought iron using sphagnum moss, they will require watering more frequently due to evaporation. There are great benefits to gardening in containers because you have the ability to move them around and be versatile. Tip of the week: Cover the holes of your container with window screen wire to prevent your soil from escaping through when watering. If I can be of any help to you, please feel free to call me at 592.2522. Til next time blessings be multiplied to you, Pamela