The summer time heat and dry weather have moved in. Questions come to mind about plants in the landscape and how to keep enough water around the root systems so that they will stay healthy. As these concerns arise another point comes up, water conservation!

Water conservation is an important environmental issue because population growth, most of it urban, is placing more and more strain on area water supplies. Water conservation is everyone's responsibility. Records show that as much as 60 percent of all household water used during the summer months is used outdoors with a large percent of it going into the landscape. Unfortunately, much water is often wasted because of over watering, applying water at the incorrect time of day, not knowing how to water, and the water requirements for southeastern ornamental plants and turfgrasses.

Water efficient landscaping will become the preferred way to design, install and maintain landscapes in future years. If you look around today, you will see water conservation/Xeriscaping already in effect. Some people consider the term "Xeriscaping" to mean cactus gardens or a barren landscapes. This is not true. A xeriscape is nothing more than a traditional landscape made water efficient. We are seeing larger plant beds that sweep around the yard and reduced areas of actual grass.

Here are brief xeriscaping concepts as they apply to North Carolina.

Planning and Design

A xeriscape design calls for dividing a landscape into three water-use zones: low, moderate and high. Plants in low water-use zones require little or no supplemental water after they are established. Plants in moderate zones require some supplemental water in hot, dry periods. High zones are limited areas in size where plants receive optimum water levels at all times. These high zones are typically high visibility areas.

Irrigation

Keep irrigation areas small. As these areas decrease in size, water-use efficiency increases. Drip systems or microsprinklers are more efficient than over-head sprinklers.

Shade

Use shade to reduce water loss. Shade, whether from plants or structures, cools the landscape and reduces water loss. A shaded landscape can be as much as 20 degrees cooler than a landscape in full sun. Radiating heat from drives, patios, decks and walks increase water loss.

Improve the soil

Cultivate large areas of soil when planting ornamental plants or turfgrasses. Digging a hole larger around than the plant reduces compaction, and improves infiltration of water and essential nutrients into the soil.

Mulch

Mulching conserves moisture around the root zones of plants. Mulching not only conserves water but helps prevent weeds that compete for water.

Native Plants

Many of our plants found naturally in the Piedmont area are drought tolerant plants. Other drought tolerant plants are also widely available at garden centers. A short list of drought tolerant plants include:

• Crape Myrtle
• Elaeagnus
• Cedar
• Chinese/Japanese Hollies
• Glossy Abelia
• Juniper
• Ornamental Grasses

Check out the following for more information:

• Wise Water Use in Landscaping
• Managing Lawns & Gardens to Protect Water Quality
• How to Plan and Design a Xeriscape
• Extensive List of Drought Tolerant Plants
• Fertilizer Techniques to Preserve Water Quality

Mark Blevins , Horticulture Agent

http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/gaston/