Bringing a water-wise garden onto a patio or porch is as simple as finding drought tolerant container plants. Container planting with drought tolerant flowers, herbs and shrubs can keep you from watering in between rains and not waste precious resources. For drought tolerant container choices that are perennial (those having more than one growing season) good plant choices include society garlic, fairy fanflower, oysterplant and common rue.
Table of Contents
Society garlic, also known as Tulbaghia violacea, is from the amaryllis family and is a drought tolerant perennial that grows well in containers. It is a pretty plant with gray-green leaves and lilac flowers in a clump form grass-like growth pattern. It can reach 2 feet in height. Society garlic prefers light soil with full sun for best flower growth but it tolerates partial shade. Propagate by rhizome division. It is hardy in USDA hardiness zones of 7 through 10.
The fairy fanflower plant, or Scaevola aemula, is from the scaevola family and is an evergreen fast-growing perennial. It grows 20 inches high with thick leaves and white, blue or lilac flowers. It prefers full sun or light shade with loose sandy soils. Propagate by seed, or cuttings. Fairy fanflower is hardy in USDA hardiness zones of 9 through 11.
The oysterplant, otherwise known as Tradescantia spathacea, is from the spiderwort family and is an easy to grow evergreen perennial. It is a succulent herb with sword-shaped dark green leaves and white flowers. Both seed and flowers are produced year round. Oysterplant prefers any moist soil type with light shade but tolerates drought and bright sun. Propagate by cuttings, offsets or seed. It is hardy in USDA hardiness zones 9 through 11.
Common Rue, or Ruta graveolens, is from the citrus family of plants and is an evergreen perennial shrub-form herb. Leaves are long and fleshy, aromatic, and spoon-shaped. Flowers are yellow, small and come in the summertime. Common rue prefers sandy soil and full sun. Propagate by cuttings or seed. It is hardy in USDA hardiness zones of 4 through 9. Rue may blister the skin in extreme sun; caution should be taken when handling the plant by wearing gloves.
These four drought tolerant perennials work well in containers and can be a nice way to start a water-wise garden that is both portable and changeable with ease. Always amend the soil in the container to fit the plants for best growth. Change up containers with different textures and colors for a fast fun way to create a new visual affect.
Most homeowners have probably spent hours looking at the different types of garden seeders. You may have even come across…
When it comes to vehicle lovers, cleaning their cars on a regular basis is essential to maintaining the paint job's…
Gas chainsaws are the perfect tool for a variety of outdoor tasks, including chopping up logs for firewood, clearing brush…
A home can be a daunting project, one that takes some time and energy to maintain. With hard work, determination,…
Today ginger is grown all over tropical and subtropical regions in Asia, in parts of Africa and South America, and…
Onions are one of the most popular vegetables in the world, and growing onions is a snap in the home…