Perennial Garden Designs for Drought

Location

• The location of drought-tolerant gardens needs to be chosen based on the amount of sun necessary for each plant. Purchase plants based on the amount of sun or shade in the area in the course of a 24-hour period. Choose areas of full sun and light, partial shade for sun-seeking plants and denser shade for perennials that burn or need more water when exposed to full sun. (Your local garden center will have sun-requirement info on virtually any plant you wish to grow.) Newly-planted xeriscape gardens need additional water until all plants are established.

Soil Quality

• Water-wise, perennial gardens perform efficiently when plants are selected based on the quality of your soil. Most drought-tolerant perennials have a need to be planted in well-draining soil. Native perennials typically tolerate native soils or poor soil conditions, while non-natives are best planted in soil specifically recommended for the plant. If your soil needs a boost prior to planting your garden, enhance existing soil with compost, mulch or whatever minerals are necessary for your selected plants.

Plant Choice

• One of the most important aspects of designing a perennial water-wise garden is plant selection. Healthy perennials provide seasonal displays year after year. Select from native or non-native perennials that offer variations in bloom color and overall plant texture. Consider tall-growing native grasses as a centerpiece with creeping flowering plants towards the outer edges of the garden. Another option is to plant taller plants towards the back of the garden to act as a screen or background for medium to small plants towards the front.

Color

• Use flower or plant color as a guide to garden design. Select two or three complementary (or contrasting) colors and plant flowering perennials based on that theme. If vibrant color is desired, select only plants that offer richly-colored flowers. Take the opposite route if pastel colors are more to your liking. Select plant colors that tie together a visual theme in your yard. Neat swatches of color appeal to some gardeners, while others prefer a more natural, random-placement approach.