Drought Tolerant Gardening & Water Wise Planting

Those who love living in California because they love year round gardening could be disappointed by the recent hike in local water bills and the State’s demand that residents water only on certain days of the week. However, for the creative gardener, the one who really likes to get dirt under his finger nails, can make a few small changes in their garden plant material and save money on those water bills at the same time.

Garden lovers can still have luscious green plantings in their landscape using drought tolerant plants and trees. They can be an encouragement to their neighbors and friends as well as the growing community of concerned citizens by showing off a beautiful water wise garden. Just imagine a garden filled with imaginative plant and tree choices that change with the season and create beauty and serenity in a garden. Many ground covers are just as beautiful as a nice green grass lawn and provide a change in aesthetics but keep that desirable green lush look.

Planting Succulents can Make a Huge Difference in your Water Bill

Go to the “out of the way” garden shops that specialize in succulent garden varieties like Solana Succulents in Solana Beach. Be sure to think that “small will grow big” when purchasing your succulents. Buy the smallest containers available. Most succulents are easy to propagate after they bloom so they can also be a fun plant to instill in children or those new to gardening the concept of recovering from the earth new plants that help beautify the earth.

Think about the color scheme you want to have in your garden. From shades of grays to greens to pinks to oranges to yellows, to whites there are succulents and their blooms that will provide a wide display of interest to any drought tolerant landscape.

Be careful in purchasing local grasses unless a wilder look to the landscape is desired. Many are beautiful during their bloom season but then need to be cut back radically during part of the year. Left to grow untrimmed the grasses can quickly take over a garden and become unsightly. Better to look for herbs you can enjoy in the garden as well as in the kitchen. Many herbs are beautiful blooming specimens to look at but also wonderful in a pot of stew or chopped into a salad dressing.

There are many herb growers who will take time to assist you in knowing how to care for your herbs, when to cut for the kitchen and when to trim down for the season. Pearsons Gardens is located in the North County area of San Diego and is worth the drive to visit. Just call ahead to be sure they are open or order from them online.

The Butterfly Bush and the Lions Tail

These two favorite bushes will brighten any drought tolerant landscape with white, purple, bright orange and yellow blooms that attract butterflies and hummingbirds to extract their sweet nectar! The Butterfly Bush can be allowed to grow into a mid size tree with proper trimming. The Lions Tail produces long lasting upright blooms on long twig like stems that add great color to your garden or an unusual mix to any floral display.

Drought tolerant trees can be purchased at local nurseries and include the African Sumac, the Scrub Oak and the Podocarpus in tree and bush form.

There is no reason to have a brown yard just because irrigation water is being rationed.

There are just so many colorful water-wise options of plant material available.

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