Drought-Tolerant Gardens

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Ample water is not a requirement for a beautiful garden. Water-conservation in the garden is very doable. Water-smart gardening can save time and money.

A drought-tolerant garden makes the most of the water it gets. “Xeriscaping” is a term used for growing naturally drought-adapted plants using water-saving methods.

A xeriscape does not need to look like a desert. A xeriscape can easily be mistaken for a well-watered garden.

How to grow a drought-tolerant garden

Here are some basic ways to grow a xeriscape, drought-tolerant garden:

Plant selection

Choose plants that don’t require a lot of water. Plants native to your region are a good place to begin; they are adapted to the rainfall in your region. Choose plants native to other regions of the world similar to where you live; they too will survive on the rainfall in your region.

Prepare the soil

Prepare the soil in your garden to hold water. Humus or soil rich in aged organic matter naturally holds water and is well-drained. Humus is dark brown or black and crumbly; it is not sandy or clay-like. Humus soil particles are sponge-like; they hold water and emit it slowly. Add aged compost or commercial organic planting mix to your planting beds to create a humus-rich soil. Add 6 inches of aged compost or commercial organic planting mix to your planting beds and turn it under to 10 inches; add more aged compost to the soil surface twice a year.

Group plants

Group plants together by their water needs. This will make watering easier. Group moisture needy plants together where the soil is naturally moist or plant them where they are shaded in the afternoon. The north side of a building or wall will be less dry than the south side. Group very drought-tolerant plants together as well; these can be watered occasionally rather than regularly. Group plants by their soil needs; some plants prefer sandy soil, others not.

Use the shade

In hot and dry regions use afternoon shade to protect plants that need more water than others in the garden. Midday to midafternoon is the warmest time in the garden and the time when soil moisture evaporates most quickly. Plants in pots and containers will need less water if they get afternoon shade.

Mulch around plants

Mulch will stem soil moisture evaporation and protect plant roots in hot and dry regions. Mulch will keep the soil cool. Mulch suppresses weeds which compete with ornamental plants for soil moisture. Aged compost or planting mix are good mulches which feed the soil. You can also mulch with chopped leaves, straw, and even gravel.

Drip irrigation

Drip irrigation is a good way to save water. Micro-irrigation lines and emitters deliver water directly to plants; water is not wasted on unplanted areas of the garden. Drip irrigation systems can be placed on timers to deliver water in cooler times of the day when there is less evaporation. If you don’t want to install an irrigation system, run hoses to planting beds and use water wands or hose-end sprinklers to deliver water exactly where plants need it.

Reduce lawn

Replace water needy lawns with flowers and shrubs. Lawn grasses are shallow-rooted and need more water more often than deeper-rooted annuals, perennials, and shrubs. Flowering groundcover plants mixed with perennials and shrubs can replace lawns. Replace large lawns with stroll paths and flower beds.

How to spot drought-tolerant plants

Many plants have evolved to conserve water; plant color and texture are often indicative of drought-tolerant plants. Here are some characteristics of plants that need less water:

• Silver or gray leaves
• Hairy or furry leaves
• Thick, waxy, and succulent leaves
• Small, fine-textured leaves
• Thorns

Drought-tolerant annuals and perennials

Drought-tolerant bulbs

Drought-tolerant vines

Drought-tolerant ornamental grasses

Drought-tolerant shrubs

Drought-tolerant trees