Xeriscaping Is NOT Zero-scaping!

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Xeriscaping Is NOT Zero-scaping!

This might seem like an odd topic to cover here in the southern Great Lakes region, but it really isn't, if you stop to think about it. We are all familiar with the rain patterns that this region develops every summer. After months of steady and abundant rains, summer usually brings an end to the regular and sufficient rainfalls. I know we have all done supplemental watering, so the subject of xeriscaping is not one exclusively for those who live in the traditionally arid regions of the country. We can all benefit by doing a bit of xeriscaping ourselves, too.

As the title suggests, xeriscaping doesn't have to be a big zero in our garden themes. Toss out those preconceived notions of rocks and yuccas, hens-and-chicks! Although these are admirable plants for the xeriscaped garden, these are not the only choices available. You might be surprised at the plants that you already have growing in your garden that qualify as good xeriscaping plants!

Before getting into good plant choices for xeriscaping, there are a few principles to keep in mind before running off to the garden center to shop or before planting anything:

Xeriscaping is based on the principle of water conservation. While xeriscaping doesn't totally eliminate the need for watering in the driest part of the summer, it will considerably decrease the frequency for watering.

Before setting out one plant, check out your soil. If you have heavy clay or sand, work in compost, peat, and other soil improvements. While many of the plants used in xeriscaping will grow in a leaner or less friendly soil, you will have better success and a wider range of plants to choose and grow if you start with a good foundation soil rich in organic material and nutrients.

Mulching is a must! In the xeriscaped garden, a layer of mulch will keep soil moisture steady, it will definitely help to conserve soil moisture, and it will also help to steady soil temperatures. Replace and rejuvenate mulch as it starts to break down.

Select compatible plants. Choose plants that have similar light, soil and water conditions. For example, a rhododendron growing next to lavender would not be a good combination. Rhododendrons require more water, acid soil, and less direct light exposure while lavender prefers a well drained to almost dry soil, more alkalinity, and a full, sunny exposure.

Use proper supplemental watering techniques. Drip emitters and low-pressure bubblers or soaker hoses are worthwhile watering tools. They use considerably less water than sprinklers, save time and money, and are a good return on your investment.

Keep weeds to a minimum. Weeds take up valuable moisture and nutrients. By eliminating weeds in the existing planting bed and by mulching and promptly removing weeds that might crop up, there will be less competition for water and nutrients in the garden. You will also notice that as the garden evolves over a few years time, the need to weed will decrease.

That said, here are some good choices, some of them obvious, some of them surprising, for the xeriscaped garden:

Monkshood	Thrift	Italian Bugloss
Butterfly Weed	Yarrow	Basket-Of-Gold
Columbine	Peonies	New England Aster
Ajuga	Hardy Cactus	Canterbury Bells
Liriope	Daylily	Coreopsis (all types)
Lamiastrium	Yucca	Vinca
Sweet William	Harebell	Spring flowering bulbs
Delphinium	Sulphur Flower	Moss Rose, Portulaca
Gayfeather	Bearded Iris	Perennial Cornflower
Zinnia	Shasta Daisy	Gaillardia, Blanket Flower
Marigold	Sunflowers	Garden Phlox
Penstemon	Mexican Sunflowers	Perennial Baby's Breath
Veronica	Oriental Poppy	English Lavender
Pincushion Flower	Black-Eyed Susan	Sedum, Stonecrop
Candytuft	Iceland Poppy	Dwarf Crested Iris
Goldenrod	Hens And Chicks	Silvermound Artemesia
Annual Salvia	Perennial Salvia	Pearly Everlastingt
Sea Pink	Lamb's Ear	Foxtail Lily
Lamb's Ear	Gas Plant	Bleeding Heart
Primula	False Lupines	Sweet Violet
Mexican Hats	Thyme	Santolina

This list is by no means complete, yet is very extensive! As you can see, there are many choices of plants that can be used in the xeriscaped garden for a beautiful, lower-maintenance, water and cost-saving garden. Try to xeriscape when you garden, and I think you will be pleased with the results!

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