PRINTED MARCH 2006

Creating a water-efficient garden

Bulbs/Corms

Most bulbs/corms are suitable.

Some of the more hardy bulbs/corms are: Watsonias,

Chinkerinchee and Knysna lily (Cytanthus), Moreas, Amaryllis,

Freesias, Ixias, etc. Several Agapanthus species although not

bulbs are drought-tolerant and make excellent ground covers.

Annuals

Very few annual plants can survive drought for long periods,

but with MULCHING, and careful selection of the many varieties

available, one can have a very good display,

Ground preparation

Mulching and composting have the following benefits:

conserves soil moisture and reduces evaporation of water

prevents soil erosion and run-off and retains maximum water

reduces weed growth and thereby saves water

absorbs heat and keeps the soil cool beneath

reduces the fluctuation in temperature

improves the soil condition and nutrients

during compost decomposure

Straw, bark chips, gravel, pebbles, exposed aggregate, nut shells

and leaves are other materials which can be used for mulching.

Soil water retention is vitally important to a plant’s ability to

utilise water. Try using a soil-wetting agent to help the soil retain

and absorb the water which is applied to it.

Watering

Grey water or the water one discards in the home is often

wasted, instead of used in the garden. Many people have

devised ways of catching bathwater and rainwater which

can be recycled and used in the garden.

During water restrictions people are only permitted to water

the garden on a specified day (depending upon the level of

restriction), before 10:00 in the morning or after 17:00 in

the evening.

Watering early in the morning allows less water to be lost

through evaporation, Certain plants develop fungi, if watered

at night, e.g. mildew on roses and zinnias or rust on lawns,

A PROPERLY DESIGNED irrigation system could save up to 30%

of water used. Always override your irrigation system if it rains.

Encourage deep roots by watering for longer periods but less

often. This applies particularly to lawns.

Conclusion

It is important to realise that a water-wise garden planted now,

will continue to yield benefits not only in the immediate years,

but 40 or 50 years hence, when water scarcity will be even

more severe.

The challenge to us all is the optimal use of water in our gardens

as a way of life and the most effective means to this end is to

avail ourselves of the enormous floral wealth of indigenous

plants available here in the Western Cape.

Saving water is a way of life

Saving water is a way of life

nysknjvs

Shrubs

There are many attractive drought-tolerant shrubs of

varying sizes, shapes and textures which will provide a

framework for the garden or a screen of protection for

more lower growing shrubs, perennials and ground covers.

Successful gardens are planned, using a mixture of shrubs,

perennials, bulbs and climbers, with similar soil and water

requirements, which will also provide you with a year-round

display. Some of the many tough, attractive shrubs are:

*Bauhinia galpinii (Pride of the Cape), *Brachylaena (good

for seaside gardens), *Buddleia, *Coprosma (mirror plant),

*Myrtus, *Ochna serrulata, *Portulacaria, *Raphiolepsis

and *Viburnum tinus.

Smaller shrubs which provide a link between taller varieties and

perennials because of their bushiness, can act as ground covers

depending on their natural growth. Try some of these drought-

resistant species:

*Barleria, *Cistus, *Carissa, *Coleonema, *Helicchrysum,

*Rosmarinus (rosemary), *Salvia africana, *Sutherlandia,

*Dimorphotheca cuneata (bride’d bouquet), *Euphorbia

mauritanica, *Hermannia stricta (desert rose), *Sutera

grandiflora, *Lavandula dentata (lavender), *Westringia

variegata, *Eriocephalus (wild rosemary), and many more.

Perennials and succulents

The following are some well-known species:

*Gerbera jamesonii (Barberton daisy), *Kniphofia uvaria (red

hot poker), *Aloes, *Gaura, *Arctotis, *Crassulas, *Euphorbia,

Felicia, *Lampranthus, *Pelargoniums, *Dietes and Sanseviera.

Ground covers

Good ground covers are Lampranthus, Erigeron Osteospermum

(especially in coastal areas), Carpobrutus and Sutera. To add

colour, try bulbine caulescens which has attractive yellow

flowers. Gazania grows with little attention and the absolute

minimum of water.

Grass

Very highly recommended buffalo grass (Stenotaphrum

secundatum) with its broad, deep green leaves is especially

suitable for lawns in sun or shade, requiring less water and

maintenance. Royal Cape, a fine grass from the Cynodon family

is also worth growing. Lawns generally require more water than

shrubs. It would be a good idea to assess how much lawn area

one actually needs as one’s water consumption can be reduced

through using paving, gravel or aggregate, especially where

people frequently walk.

Creepers and vines

Creepers and vines can form an important aspect in any garden

as they can always provide a good cover for screening, pergolas

and backdrops.

Bougainvillea needs no introduction but the indigenous

(Cape Honeysuckle) *Tecomaria, and Plumbago are also well

known. The Geranium, Pelargonium peltatum, Jasminum

multipartatum, *Gelsemium jasminoides, Senecio tamoides

(canary creeper) are other examples of the potential and

attractiveness of this group.

Introduction

The water consumed from municipal connections in our towns

and cities for gardening purposes amounts to an estimated 36%

of all domestic water consumed. This is a staggering amount for

a country whose average annual rainfall is only 497 mm.

The dry Cape Town summer only serves to aggravate the

problem of water scarcity.

In order to conserve water in the garden, and still have a

good display, plants that can withstand prolonged periods

without watering should be grouped together, We, as gardeners,

need to familiarise ourselves with the large variety of drought-

tolerant plants which can be successfully used in our water-wise

gardens.

Besides our large selection of indigenous plants, there is

an extensive selection of drought-tolerant plants, which

are often overlooked by gardeners when making a selection.

The indigenous plants available to us have developed by nature

to cope with the dry local conditions, and are therefore infinitely

suitable for a water conserving, water-wise garden. While some

plants detailed in this leaflet are not indigenous, many are and

your local nursery will only be too pleased to offer further advice.

(Look for the water-wise label)

Trees

There are many beautifully shaped trees, such as the *Acacia

Karoo, *Rhus Pendulina, *Rhus Lancea, *Dodonea Ongustifolia

(sand olive), *Sysigium Cordtina, Olea (olive), *Cussonia (cabbage

tree), etc. that are more tolerant of drier conditions,

Before planting, check to see if you have a suitable position in

your garden to accomodate its mature size, height and shape.

*Indigenous *Indigenous *Indigenous

Saving water is a way of life