| (Find out more at a Water Efficient Workshop)
Appropriate plant selection means selecting plants that not only are compatible with the design but also are well suited to the planting site and local environment. It involves selecting plants according to the soil type and light level of the site. Ideally, the plants you select should be adaptable to local fluctuations in temperature and soil moisture.
Drought tolerance is important in a water efficient landscape. However, it should not be the only criteria used to select plants. Junipers, for instance, are extremely drought tolerant, but they cannot tolerate wet soils or heavy shade.
Native plants are not necessarily the most drought tolerant. Even though a plant may be native to the area, it may not adapt to an adverse new environment (microclimate). When forced to grow in a harsh new environment, native plants can become a high-maintenance nightmare.In addition to the adaptability of a plant to the site, other important criteria to consider include:
- Mature size and form. Will the plant remain in scale with the rest of the landscape as it matures, or will it likely overgrow the site and compete with other plants for space, nutrients and water?
- Growth rate. Slow-growing dwarf shrubs and ground covers used around the base of the home require little routine pruning.
- Texture. Is the leaf texture fine, medium or coarse, and does it combine well with the adjacent plants?
- Color. Is the flower or foliage color compatible with other plants or the background color of the building?
- Functional use. Is the plant suitable for the location and intended purpose; i.e. under low windows, along the perimeter of the property as screening hedge, or as a ground cover?
Select healthy, vigorous plants. Examine the root system for well-developed roots throughout the root ball and an abundance of small white roots (absorptive roots) along the exterior of the root ball. Examine the leaves and stems for insects or diseases and avoid plants that are weak or appear unhealthy.
When selecting plants for a water efficent landscape, keep in mind this important fact: plants don't save water, people do. The plants we select do not save water; our ability to locate them in the landscape appropriately and to manage them properly determines their water needs. Match the water-use zones with the condition of the planting site. For instance, place high-water-requiring plants in areas of the landscape that stay moist and low-water-requiring plants in areas that stay drier naturally.
Any ornamental plant or turfgrass presently on the market can be used in a water efficient landscape. In fact, you may be surprised to learn just how many plants can thrive without any supplemental water once they are established. The key is to identify the water needs of the plant you select, and then group it in the landscape with other plants having a similar need for water. By doing this, supplemental irrigation can be applied most efficiently and only to those plants that require it. The result is maximum water conservation in the landscape.
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