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Years ago when there was a seven-year drought in California, many municipalities offered incentives for starting water-wise gardens. Do you love to travel? Don't have an irrigation system? Is your garden huge or has many trees? In many areas, record-breaking droughts have resulted in mandatory water rationing and incentives for water-wise landscaping that uses minimal irrigation. Cutting down on or eliminating thirsty turf grass, and introducing drought-tolerant plants is a good start.
Depending on your planting zone and with a little research, there are really a lot of blooming plants out there that are low maintenance. Once they are established, they don’t need much water.
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FLOWERS:
Yarrow
Salvia
Lupines
Coreopsis
Sedum (All types)
Portulaca (All types)
Lavender
Sage Herb
Coneflower (Echinacea)
California Poppy
Globe Thistle
Russian Sage
Orange Day Lily
Lamb's Ears
SHRUBS:
Oleander
Butterfly Bush
Blue Star Juniper
Barberry
GRASSES:
Zebra grass
Mexican feather grass
Purple fountain grass
Blue oat grass
Porcupine grass
Blue fescue
TREES:
Ginkgo Biloba
Shagbark Hickory
American Elm
Hawthorn
Consider these factors when choosing a plant for drought-tolerance, whether it's a tree, a shrub, a ground cover, or a perennial:
Competition for Resources
When you plant under trees, the available resources are scarce because a tree not only blocks sunlight and rainfall, it also takes a lot of water for itself. Weeds and other vegetation can also rob water from a new plant.
Sun Exposure
Always pay attention to sunshine requirements and/or tolerance when planting. You may think of full-sun plants when you hear mention of drought-resistant plants, but there are also suitable plants for dry shade. Moreover, not all sun-lovers tolerate excessive dryness.
The Soil Type
A drought-resistant plant in a wonderfully loamy soil may struggle during a dry spell if it's growing in sandy soil (through which water pours quickly, as through a sieve).
Save as much water as you can. Look for plants that don’t require much water. Why not use rain barrels and misters in the garden and landscaping to help conserve water and save on your water bill.
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