Improving Your Landscaping

Posted on: 1 May 2016

Gardening enthusiasts will be the first to tell you that being green in the outdoors is just as important as being green inside the home. Our planet wouldn't be as healthy without plenty of flora to create oxygen for us to breathe. So even in drought conditions when water is at a premium, it doesn't make sense to do away with green plants altogether. Instead of replacing your parched dry lawn with gravel, consider these options for drought-tolerant plants that will enhance the beauty of your outdoor space no matter how much water is available.

Agave

Agave succulents are native to Mexico, and do well in climates like Texas. It's a perennial, so you only have to plant it once. Agave are not cacti plants, but they are very much like them. The flowers come out once in their lifetime, and then the original plant dies, but suckers develop from that flower, acting as a root system that grows a new plant.  

Hens and Chicks

The official name for this succulent is Sempervivum, but you likely know it by its vernacular, hens and chicks. Hens and chicks can grow in just about any size container, so if you're into container gardening, this succulent is a good choice. But it also grows extremely well in gravely, sandy conditions, so it's perfect for states like California, where mandatory bans on water are often enforced. There are over 3,000 varieties of hens and chicks and many of them produce very vibrant, colorful flowers. These can be a showy addition to any garden.

Forsythia

Forsythia is not only drought-tolerant, but cold tolerant. In cooler months, it simply goes into dormancy. When spring finally arrives, it flower erupts from its seemingly barren branches into a showy, yellow display of flowers that lasts for weeks. The rest of the time, its abundant green leaves provide plenty of privacy, making it perfect for planting near fences and along property borders. One of the best features of forsythia is that it requires little more than a quick trimming after the blossoms have fallen.

No matter how you decide to plant your garden, you will do well to keep water restrictions in mind. One of the best ways to do this is to install a timer on your sprinkler installation system. This will ensure that your drought tolerant plants aren't overwatered, and that you won't be in violation of any water restrictions that may be announced.