There are several words in the landscape lexicon that refer to a plant’s water needs: xeric, drought tolerant, low-water, native, and water wise.
“Water wise” does NOT mean you never need to provide extra water to the plants. It does mean using plants that require less water and are well adapted to our climate.
The most important concept in water wise landscaping is grouping plants with similar water needs in the same areas. Unlike strict xeriscape plant selection, with water wise landscaping you can have a weeping pussy willow if you really want it. You just don’t want to put it in the center of a group of plants which require (and thrive) with less water. Additionally, irrigation zones need to be specific to both the plant selection and the micro-climate in that area. One drip irrigation zone that runs the entire perimeter of the house doesn’t account for the shade on the north and sun on the south.
You can be water wise without changing a thing in your landscape! Get to know your irrigation timer and plan to adjust it regularly. Your goal when watering is to water deeply and infrequently. Your watering schedule should follow a bell-curve in the same way as the summer temperatures. Watch your plants for signs of drought stress (drooping or curling, dropping leaves, scorched leaves, yellowing leaves) and adjust your watering schedule as soon as you see the stress.
Tolerating turf grass that turns yellow-brown in mid-summer is also water wise. The grass isn’t dead, it’s just dormant and will return to green when both the air and the soil temperatures drop. I try to balance my tolerance for brown grass with my tolerance for a high water bill.
A water wise landscape is really a water wise gardener! Be attentive to the weather and don’t water when it’s raining. Watch for leaks or breaks in your hoses or irrigation system. Watch the plants and check soil levels and don’t water if you don’t need to. Finally, if you are considering a new landscape or landscape renovation, choose appropriate plants for our area. Let me know if you need help with plant selection!
