Perennials, Annuals & Water Savings

Gardening Tips for Water Savings

• One of the best ways to save water in the garden is to prepare deeply dug flower beds and incorporate organic matter into the soil. The addition of organic matter to your soil will enhance its ability to retain moisture. It is wise to prepare the garden beds in full, rather than preparing areas of the garden only at the time you intend to plant.

Mulching for Water Conservation

• Adding a layer of organic mulch such as bark, leaf mold or pine straw will aid in garden water conservation and gives an attractive look to garden beds. The added benefits of adding a top layer of organic mulch to your soil are that it provides nutrients to the plants and it acts as a great weed suppressant.

Drought-Tolerant Annuals

• Filling your garden beds with annuals adds instant color to your landscape -- though generally only for one season. There are a variety of drought-tolerant annuals to choose from, including ageratum, calendula, California poppy, geranium, marigold, moss rose, petunia, statice and verbena.

Drought-Resistant Perennials

• Many drought-resistant perennials have silvery or gray-green leaves, as the light color of the leaves reflect the sun's rays. Plant your perennials in April to ensure that they're well-established before the summer heat. Some examples of typical drought-resistant perennials are euphorbia, brachyscome, gazania, heliathus and nemesia. Unlike annuals, perennials survive for more than one season.