Water conservation and the best drought resistant plants
ECO GARDEN
After two wet summers, you may think it a bit of a joke to be thinking about droughts and water conservation.
But we will get long dry periods at some stage and there will always be a need to conserve water.
So how do we go about it and what are the best plants to choose?
No matter how much you try to conserve rainwater, however many water butts you have, there comes a time when the plants need watering and there is no stored water left.
Grey water, the used water from the washing machine, bath water, or the washing up bowl, is another option unless it has some harsh chemicals in it, but for many of us this is not an easy option. Carrying the washing up bowl outside to splash a few plants is about the only thing we can do in this respect. It is possible, though, to divert grey water from baths and washing machines and in countries like Australia it is built into the design of new houses.
So, the only easy way is to store water in as many water butts as you can manage to fit near roofs where there is rainwater run-off, and then to think of ways of gardening that goes with a drought, not against it.
Passiflora caerulea, the passion flower – a real survivor in dry conditions
Many of us love our pots and containers and they do look attractive. But compost dries out quickly in a pot, and the plants get very thirsty. Think about decreasing the number of containers you have, and plant more in the borders instead – perhaps making more flower beds near the house if it’s possible to fill with plants that can find deeper, damper soil more naturally.
Perennials are less thirsty than annuals, as when their roots have plunged quite deeply into the soil and become established, they won’t need constant watering. The advice is to plant them in a large hole and fill it up with water before back filling. Once they are established, don’t keep watering them, or their roots will not seek the deeper, damper soil beneath. Small annual bedding plants constantly need water, so are not such a good buy in this respect.
Our choice of drought resistant plants Passiflora caerulea, the passion flower Jasminum officinale, the white jasmine Osteospermum jucundum Panicum virgatum, a medium size grass Hebe Santolina Artemisia ‘Powis Castle’ Ptelea trifoliata ‘Aurea’, the hop tree
Many drought tolerant plants have silver leaves that reflect the sun’s rays. Some have leaves and stems with a coating of fine hairs which help to trap any available moisture. Plant silver-leaved plants such as lavenders and santolina in April, as these are sun lovers and less hardy.
Add organic matter to the soil before planting which will stop plants drying out quickly. Don’t add fertiliser as this can encourage lush growth which may flop in summer, need extra water and may not be strong enough to withstand frosts later in the year.
Plants originating from the Mediterranean, Australia and places like Mexico are a good bet, obviously, for they have adapted to the harsher conditions of hot sun and little rain. Palms are one choice, and ‘australis’ in a botanical name is a good clue as to their drought resistance, hence Cordyline australis would easily go on the list, but so would Trachycarpus fortunei.
Small shrubs that are happy in dry conditions include artemisia, hebes, and the sacred bamboo, Nandina domestica. If you want bigger shrubs, go for an olearia, a ceanothus or an Arbutus unedo, the strawberry tree which looks lovely but whose fruits are inedible.
Grasses are a popular choice and very useful, giving structure and shape to a border, and come in all sizes. A small grass such as Pennisetum alopecuroides could go nearer the front of a border, while a Stipa giganteum will be a stately presence at the back, growing to about 2.5m (8 ft) with a spread of 1.2m (4ft).
So there is a lot of choice, and many of these will be very good in a sunny spot of the garden, even if there is no drought.
Effective back pain relief for gardeners 32
01422 839 493
www.hotties.co.uk Country Gardener
Garden
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56