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Xeriscape Gardening News #40 - Xeriscaping Across the U.S.
Reprinted with permission:
Subject: Xeriscape Gardening News #40 - Xeriscaping Across the U.S. Xeriscape Gardening News from High Country Gardens Issue #40 - March 2003 David Salman, Chief Horticulturist -------------------------------------------------------------- Welcome to our Monthly E-Zine. For live links to plants and products mentioned in the articles, use the web version of this newsletter found at: http://highcountrygardens.com/nl/nl40.html ------------------------------------------------------------ In This issue: + Xeriscaping Across the U.S. + Soil Preparation for Optimum Drainage + Plant Profile: Agastache "Blue Fortune" + Pre-Planned Gardens + Internet Specials + Employment Opportunity ------------------------------------------------------------ ----------- Support Our Sponsor ------------ Get a 64-Page Drip Irrigation Catalog from DripWorks--at no cost! Great products, low pricing, free technical support and design service. Let us design the perfect irrigation system for your home, garden or farm. Your plants will experience robust, consistent growth by delivering water at a slow, regular rate with our high-quality systems. Pond liners for large water containment ponds or small garden ponds are available for immediate shipping. Order your catalog at http://www.dripworksusa.com/catalog.html or call 800/522-3747. Website: www.dripworksusa.com ------------------------------------------------------------ Xeriscaping Across the USA: The Have’s and the Have-Nots As the 2003 planting season approaches, water availability across the United States is a mix of good and bad news. The Eastern U.S. is in the grips of a vicious winter with record snows, and as this region’s reservoirs, lakes and river levels return to normal, the outlook for ample irrigation water looks good. Meanwhile, in the Intermountain region from New Mexico to Montana, snowfall has been scant and many areas are looking at watering restrictions--some perhaps for the second year in a row. For the “have” gardeners in the East, this season is ideal for replacing thirsty, drought damaged landscapes with more water-smart plantings. After all, even xeric plants need adequate rainfall and irrigation to establish their extensive roots and become resistant to heat and drought. (See Washington Post Article.) For the “have nots” in the West, this will be a challenging time. Those of us with existing xeriscapes will still have nice yards. But others whose drought-stricken yards are damaged, undertaking a complete replacement could be chancy. There may not be enough water to establish new plants. Instead, smaller plantings of xeric perennials and preparations for larger scale changes can be undertaken. Following is a quick review of the key Principles of Xeriscaping (water-smart gardening): 1) downsize water intensive turf areas, 2) use appropriate plants, 3) improve the soil, 4) use mulches, 5) irrigate efficiently, 6) capture rain and snow run-off and 7) maintain your landscape properly to minimize water use. Whether you are a “have” or “have not” gardener this season, planning your conversion to a water-smart landscape is wise for an overall environmental concern. Water is fast becoming a precious resource worldwide. When you consider your own yard, take appropriate steps. Traditional lawn-dominated landscapes use water equally on all parts of the yard. A xeriscaped yard saves water by budgeting its use and prioritizing how much water the different areas of a yard will receive. This is accomplished by zoning water use. Visualize your yard as an archery target with your home as the center. The “oasis” zone is the part of the yard that surrounds the house, porch and patio. These visually important areas are the focal point of your landscape. This is where you should place any water features such as ponds and fountains and plant your most water intensive greenery. The “transitional” zone is the next ring out as you move toward the edges of your lot. Use moderate to low water-use plants here. The “xeric” zone encompasses the furthest, least frequently used and seen parts of your yard. This is where you plant the most xeric plants that rarely need supplemental water after becoming established. In dry times, a zoned landscape conserves water by needing less. When water restrictions occur, watering is concentrated on the “oasis” area of the yard. For maximum water savings, reducing the square footage of your lawn should be your first step. Particularly in the Western U.S. replacing water intensive Kentucky Blue Grass with native turf grasses, water-thrifty Dwarf Fescue blends or groundcovers will result in dramatic water savings. Using native turf grasses also reduces lawn care expenses and lawn chemical and fertilizer use in all parts of the country. In many commercial and residential landscapes, lawns are not functional (kid’s play areas) and are used only as green groundcovers. A lawn can be replaced with herbaceous and woody groundcovers where foot traffic is not an issue, and with native turf grasses where it doesn’t get intensive foot traffic or kids’ play. In rural areas, homeowners with larger properties are re-establishing prairie grasses and wildflowers around their homes. Converting old lawns to native Blue Grama or Legacy® Buffalo Grass turf is water intensive during the first growing season. For “haves” in regions where there are no watering restrictions, this season is the time to do it. For “have nots” in areas with water restrictions planting Buffalo Grass plugs or sowing grama grass seed as replacement lawns must wait. But all is not lost. New perennial beds can be carved out of lawn areas, sprinkler systems can be reconfigured to accommodate a smaller lawn while portions of the lawn that you plan to replace can go dry. Alternately, Kentucky Blue Grass can be removed and replaced with xeric groundcovers (Snow-in-Summer, Hardy Plumbago and groundcover Speedwells). Or if watering is permitted at least twice a week plant low growing woody plants (Gro-low Sumac, Gray Santolina and various groundcover junipers). When it is time to plant more xeric (water-smart ) plants, educate yourself about the wide variety of native and adapted plants that are suited to your region, climate and soil type. One key to the use of xeric perennials is to make sure that soil drainage is adequate. Many native plants like Beardtongues (Penstemon) require fast draining soil. When planting in areas of the U.S. that typically receive more abundant rain and snow, examine your soil for its clay content and test the drainage (see the following article). If clay soil is what you have to work with, then be sure to select clay-loving plants like Buffalo Grass, Poppy Mallow (Callirhoe) and the European sage cultivars (Salvia x sylvestris 'Blue Queen' and Salvia nemerosa 'May Night'). As a practical matter, the use of xeric plants that require quick drainage will be confined to smaller bermed (mounded) areas and raised beds. A well designed water-smart yard or commercial landscape is not only more water efficient, but less labor intensive. At the same time smaller swatches of water intensive turf allow us to plant more perennial flowers, trees and shrubs. This adds beauty, color and shade to surroundings while creating a more environmentally friendly place for songbirds, hummingbirds, butterflies and beneficial insects. So whether you are a “have” or “have not” this planting season, there are many positive steps you can do to move toward a more water-smart landscape. David Salman Chief Horticulturist ------------------------------------------------------------ Soil Preparation for Optimum Drainage One of the cultural requirements of xeriscape plants is the soil has excellent drainage. In some cases this is easily accomplished while in others it will take a considerable amount of work to improve the drainage. The effort it takes, though, will be worth it if you want healthy plants, trees and lawns. Having a loose soil that is well drained will not only retain the appropriate amount of moisture but will also provide sufficient pore space so plant roots get enough air. Pore space is the space between solid particles. How do you tell if you have good drainage? A simple test is to dig a hole about 12 inches deep and 6 inches wide. Fill the hole with water and allow it to completely drain. Then, fill it a second time. Observe how long it takes to drain. If it takes more than 8 hours, you have a drainage problem. Many drainage problems occur due to a high percentage of clay particles in the soil. However, there are other possibilities including soil that has been compacted because of foot or vehicular traffic. Springs in the vicinity or a high water table will also slow drainage. In the Southwest, another likelihood for poor drainage is the presence of caliche, a white or light colored layer of soil in which the soil particles have been cemented together by lime (calcium carbonate, CaCO3). When planting in soils with a caliche layer, it is necessary to “punch through” this water impermeable layer by digging deep holes into the non-caliche soil below. The first step in creating well-drained soil is determining the texture and composition of your soil. Texture refers to the proportion of sand, silt and clay in the soil. Sandy soil drains rapidly but also dries out quickly. Clay soil drains poorly and sometimes remains waterlogged. One remedy that improves the texture of most soils is the addition of organic matter, with compost being the most commonly used amendment. Compost is typically incorporated in a ratio of 1 part compost to 2 parts existing garden soil. Any organic matter will continually decompose so more must be added on a regular basis. If clay soil is the problem, the addition of compost may not be enough. You may need to add generous quantities of coarse sand or crusher fines, the end result of screened crushed rock. Do not add fine sand as that will result in a concrete-like consistency. Gypsum is also sometimes added to improve the texture of clay soil. As it breaks down, gypsum helps the clay particles lump together, improving the circulation of air and water. Greensand is another additive that helps improve the texture of clay soil. But you need to consider that the use of gypsum and Greensand will take time to effect a change. For native plants that demand great drainage, immediate fixes like berming (mounding) the soil with the addition of coarse sand or creating a raised bed is a good solution. As the soil in beds with added compost or gypsum become more water permeable, drainage sensitive plants can then be added. As you continue to add organic matter to your soil, beneficial organisms such as earthworms will appear and gradually become more numerous. These creatures are Nature’s best soil aerators and as a bonus, their castings are an excellent fertilizer. Earthworms prefer soils that are moist, not too wet or too dry. Don’t forget to use mulch in hot arid areas. The mulch will moderate the soil temperature and will help retain water in sandy and loamy soils. It will help prevent cracking that occurs in clay soils and minimize the chance of tiny roots being exposed to the hot sun. Always be alert for areas where drainage problems still occur. If a plant dies, examine it to see if the roots have rotted. After a rain, observe standing water in any garden spot. If drainage problems persist in some areas and defy correction, you might consider using containers or building a raised bed. Mary Ann Walz Garden Writer ------------------------------------------------------------------ Plant Profile: Agastache x ‘Blue Fortune’ The genus Agastache is a member of the huge Lamiaceae or Mint family, and are commonly known as Hyssop. It’s a genus of about 30 species, and has become quite popular of late due to its many properties such as being cold-tolerant, drought tolerant, long blooming and aromatic. Some gardeners describe the scents as being like root beer, licorice and bubble gum. The plant is a favorite of butterflies and humming birds. Pronounced “a-gah-sta-kee” or “a-gah-sta-kee” the name comes from Greek word agan, meaning very much, and stachys, meaning spike. Literally, the name refers to the numerous stalks of flowers on one plant. These plants like the full sun and any well drained, neutral to alkaline soil. In northern Mexico and the southwestern US many species grow in arid higher altitude areas and are quite cold hardy, some even to USDA zone 5. It’s best transplanted when temperatures are warm. Though a member of the mint family, Agastache won’t take over the garden. They grow in clumps and don’ t spread. They bloom beginning in mid to late summer continuing into the fall. With an average height of 18 inches, ‘Blue Fortune’ is known to be about three feet high. This superb hybrid is a relatively new introduction from Europe and is proving to be a robust, non-stop bloomer. The husky 5" long flower spikes are a mesmerizing powder blue, and the large green leaves are striking with their silver undersides. ‘Blue Fortune’ is a rich nectar source for butterflies and bumblebees. Later in the season, as the plant matures, a light mint scent develops in the flowers. Like Korean Hyssop (Agastache rugosum), this cultivar will also perform well outside of the West in the wetter winter climates of the Midwest and East. "Blue Fortune" is suited for zones 6-10. Try planting it with cherry-red Salvia x ‘Maraschino’. ------------------------------------------------------------------ Pre-Planned Gardens Unsure how to design a pleasing, long blooming perennial garden? Concerned about clashing colors? Don’t fret, try our pre-planned garden collections. Your neighbors will think you had them professionally designed just for you! Our Pre-planned garden collections are the easy way to add a color-coordinated, low maintenance perennial garden to your yard. Designed by professional designers with years of practical gardening experience, the gardens use some of the thier favorite flowers. All of these gardens use easy-to-grow perennials that are well suited to a wide range of soils, climates and growing conditions. We have many different designs suitable for many different gardening preferences, including the new “The Inferno Strip Garden” (for hot, dry narrow beds), the “Jumbo Waterwise Garden,” the “Big Easy Waterwise Garden,” the “Hot and Sunny Cottage Garden,” the “Butterfly Paradise Cottage Garden” and the “Colors and Textures Garden” that is a perennial/ornamental grass garden. Each garden collection comes with an easy-to-follow planting diagram (with maintenance hints for each plant) and our 16-page planting & soil preparation guide. ------------------------------------------------------------------ Internet Specials Visit our site each week for new sale items. Sometimes we have a bumper crop of plants that we want to make sure get used. Other times we have specials on products we want to pass on. To see what's special this week, go to: http://www.highcountrygardens.com/sh...class=specials ------------------------------------------------------------------ Employment Opportunity Work with great people--gardeners! High Country Gardens, the catalog division of Santa Fe Greenhouses is currently interviewing for Customer Services Representatives. Customer service, phone and computer skills necessary. Horticulture background a plus. Full and part time seasonal positions available. Call 505-428-7383, fax 505-438-9552 or e-mail http ------------------------------------------------------------------ ----------- Support Our Students ------------ Responsible Water Use Symposium - March 29, 2003 The Longwood Graduate Program will host their 12th annual Symposium, "Responsible Water Use in the Garden." The daylong event will be held at Winterthur, An American Country Estate, near Wilmington, DE. The symposium will focus on water-wise gardening, from selecting beautiful plants and proper garden design to easy maintenance techniques and tips for conserving water. For more information please call 302-831-2517 or visit online at www.udel.edu/LongwoodGrad. ====== To send this newsletter to a friend, just forward this issue to your fellow gardeners and they can subscribe by visiting our website at http://www.highcountrygardens.com/ Send comments, questions and reprint requests to the editor at: ?Subject=Fee dback Copyright 2003 by High Country Gardens, Inc. To subscribe to Xeriscape Gardens News Send e-mail to or visit our web site http://www.highcountrygardens.com/ You are currently subscribed to gardens as: To unsubscribe send a blank email to To change your address just unsubscribe at your old email address and then re-subscribe with your new one. |
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