Some useful tips to make your garden more waterwise:
1) Choose indigenous, drought tolerant, disease resistant plants where possible.
2) Declare war on weeds as they complete with plants for water.
3) When laying out new beds, group plants according to their water requirements.
4) Water and fertilise plants only when needed because this promotes strong root systems. Too much water results in weak growth and increases the need for pruning.
5) Plant low-maintenance perennial herbs e.g. rosemary, thyme, lavender, sage and lemon grass.
6) Plant grasses like Cape restios (Elegia spp).
7) Condition your beds with compost. Soil that is rich in organic material retains water longer.
8) Use plenty of mulch.
9) Plant sun-loving thirsty plants in east facing beds where they will get morning sun and will stay moist for longer.
10) Water trees and large shrubs directly by installing a pipe that runs through the soil and down to the roots.
11) Build up the edge of garden beds to prevent water run-off.
12) Make sure your garden is benefiting from rainwater by channelling the water from drives and paved areas into the garden beds.
13) When planting add water absorbent granules.
14) Create windbreaks with plants to conserve water in windy areas.
Plants suitable for water-wise Gardens.
| Herbaceous perennials Anchusa capensis Arctotis sp Artemesia afra Asparagus densiflorus Asystasia gangetica Cineraria saxifraga Cliffortia ferriginea Dymondia margaretae Felicia aethiopica Felicia echinata Gazania spp Geranium incanum Helichrysum argyrophyllum Helichrysum cymosum Hermannia pinnata Hypoestes aristata Leonotus leonorus Pelargonium betulinum Pelargonium cucullatum Pelargonium peltatum Pelargonium suburbanum Pelargonium tetragonium Pelargonium tomentosum Plectranthus fruticosum “James” Plectranthus neochilus Scabiosa incisa Scabiosa africanaShrubs Acmadenia heterophylla Agathosma ovata Agathosma serpyllacea Barleria obtusa Bauhinia galpini Buddleja auriculata Buddleja salviifolia Carissa macrocarpa Chrysanthemoides monilifera Coleonema album Erica baccans Erica bauera Erica versicolor Erica verticillata Eriocephalus africanus Euryops pectinatus Leucadendron salignum Nylandtia spinosa Phylica pubescens Plumbago auriculata Polygala myrtifolia Protea repens Rhus crenata Rhus glauca Salvia africana-caerula Salvia africana-lutea Salvia chameleagnea Strelitzia reginea Tecomaria capensis |
Trees Acacia karoo Aloe barbarae Brachylaena discolor Celtis africana Cussonia spicata Dais cotinifolia Diospyros whyteana Erythrina caffra Kiggelaria africana Olea europaea subsp africana Rhus pendulina Sideroxylon inerme Strelitzia nicolai Syzigium guineense Tarchonanthus trilobus Trichelia emetica Virgilia oroboides Widdringtonia cedarbergensisBulbs Agapanthus praecox Aristea major Babiana spp Brunsvigia orientalis Clivia miniata Freesia alba Gladiolus alatus Haemanthus sanguineus Kniphofia linearifolia Lachenalia aloides Ornithogalum thrysoides Veltheimia bracteata Watsonia borbonica Restio Succulents |
Thanks for the useful list. Will be by your nursery soon.