Add Photo to Journal
|
|
| Photo Credit: Bailey Nurseries |
| Yarrow is highly drought-tolerant and comes in a variety of colors. (The most common is yellow.) |
In the mountain west and high plains, gardening can be a battle with cold, rapidly changing climate conditions and water-saving issues. But despite the difficulties, you can have a wonderfully lush and lovely landscape. Here’s how:
1. Choose the right drought-tolerant plants for you and your location. Natives are always a great place to start. Look for native plant displays at garden centers or check out nurseries that specialize in them. There are hundreds of great drought-tolerant selections out there. To get started, try blanket flower (Gaillardia), catmint (Nepeta), annual larkspur (Consolida ambigua), rugosa roses (Rosa rugosa), yarrow (Achillea), thyme (Thymus), columbine (Aquilegia) and lilacs (Syringa). 2. Group plants according to water needs. Put plants that need ample water together and close to the house, where you can keep an eye on them. Locate plants that need only moderate water together and a bit farther out from your home. And place species that need the least amount of water the farthest out, where you can basically let them be. 3. Harvest rainwater. This gets easier every year as more garden centers carry rain barrels and other products intended to capture this precious liquid that would otherwise run through your downspout and away from your landscape. You can have one, two or even three barrels – some systems even deliver water directly to plants.
|