Xeriscaping - Canadian Nursery Landscape Association
- 1. Landscape | O n S i t e s Xeriscaping of fertilizer and frequent lawn Objective: to explain the concept and basic principles mowing, to encourage longer, of xeriscaping. drought-tolerant turf. Monitor for disease and insect infestations, Training Materials: plants appropriate for xeriscape. to manage outbreaks early. A xeriscape does not have to be Lesson: Xeriscaping is the water wise gardens, as are a boring mono-culture of spiny concept of saving water in many annuals that originated in plants in rocks and gravel. With attractively landscaped areas. Australia and Africa. Remember careful planning a xeriscape can It is not necessarily a dry, rocky that plants with like moisture be a lush colourful garden with arid-looking landscape, but uses requirements should be grouped a diverse mix of plants - and several different principles to together. require a lot less water. create a striking landscape with reduced water requirements. 4. Turf areas, that require large Examples of xeriscape plants; Xeriscaping combines the Greek amounts of water, should be Trees: ash, honeylocust, word xeros – meaning dry, with minimized. Think of xeriscaping Kentucky coffee tree, catalpa, landscaping. as ‘less-lawn landscaping.’ A burr oak more drought-tolerant grass By definition, Xeriscape blend should be chosen for the Shrubs: pea shrub, cotoneaster, means some water applied in lawn in the spirit of xeriscaping. sea-buckthorn, juniper, well-controlled amounts and potentilla, sumac, yucca locations in the landscape. 5. Water the landscape efficiently. Make sure water only Perennials: Yarrow, thrift, 1. Through water-wise falls on landscaped areas. Water coreopsis, Echinacea, Gaillardia, planning and design, groups in early morning or evening to lavender, penstemon, of plants with similar cultural reduce loss from evaporation. Rudbeckia, sedum requirements (water, exposure) are placed together. Steep Adjust the watering times of Annuals: marigolds, zinnia, slopes that require greater automatic irrigation systems at cockscomb, verbena, portulaca, amounts of water are least once a month to meet the amaranthus terraced to reduced irrigation seasonal water needs. requirements. Install different irrigation zones 2. As in any healthy garden, soil for trees, shrubs and planting plays a vital role. Clay soils drain beds. Using water efficient drip very poorly, while sandy soils irrigation applies a low volume drain too quickly, so improving of water that will soak deeply the soil with the addition of into the soil. • Xeriscaping organic matter is necessary. 6. Mulching exposed soil areas is the concept 3. Native, or indigenous, plants will help keep soil cooler, retain of saving water are naturally adapted to local more water and reduce runoff. soils and rainfall, but xeriscape in attractively gardens can include other types 7. While xeriscape landscapes landscaped areas. of plants as well. Perennials are not no-maintenance, they and herbs that come from the often have reduced maintenance Mediterranean are suited to requirements. Avoid high levels page 122 Canadian Nursery Landscape Association
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