Water, as we all know, is a very precious commodity. There is no living being that can exist without it; the plants either. However, maintaining a lush green garden does not always have to depend on whether we give it constant watering, but on the correct choice of species.
For this reason, if we do not want to worry about the rains or the irrigation, and incidentally we want to take care of the water resources of the area, xerogardening is our best option.
What is xero-landscaping?
Image - Flickr / Vilseskogen
The term xerojardería translates as garden without water, although in practice it is not so. The truth is that it would be better translated as a garden whose plants that form it are able to live well only with the water they receive when it rains. This water is a very limited resource, but nevertheless only agriculture uses 65% of what is available, or what is the same, of what is collected in lakes, aquifers, freshwater rivers, swamps, etc. .
With this global warming in many areas of the world we are witnessing an extension of dry periods and droughts, summers that start earlier and end later, and rains that become more and more concentrated, but much more intense. Water is always welcome, but when it falls in a torrential way the plants can hardly take advantage of it, since a good part of that liquid ends up in the sea.
So, we must be aware that, If we want to enjoy a healthy garden, we have no choice but to be very aware, and increasingly, of the climate.
The xerojardines began to be created in the United States at the end of the XNUMXth century, specifically in the 80s. California, Texas, Florida or Arizona, states where drought is a recurring problem, were the first states to host such gardens.
They came to Spain later, in 1991; But unlike what has happened in the US, where the National Xeriscape Council was founded in 1986 and many educational programs were carried out, here xerogardening is given importance but not what it deserves, despite the fact that our resources water are scarce.
What are its principles?
Basically, having a xero-garden is having a garden with plants that do not need irrigation, or very little, and in which everything possible is done to save as much as possible. For all these reasons, the principles of xerogardening are:
Garden planning and design
It is important here to decide what use is going to be given to the garden, where the sun rises and sets, if the land has slopes, what type of vegetation there is in the surroundings, where the hedges will be placed, what will be done to counteract the wind if it was blowing strongly, where the plants are going to be placed, etc. The more information that is collected, the less risk of future problems there will be.
Soil study
Have to know what are the characteristics of the soil, its texture, its drainage, its pH. The type of plants that are planted in it will largely depend on this.
Correct selection of plant species
If we want to play it easy and safe, autochthonous plants are ideal to have in a xerojardín, since they are the ones that have adapted to living in the conditions of our area. But if we are looking for something that is original, we will have to investigate which are those that live in places with climates similar to the one we have.
Grass is a beautiful green carpet, but it consumes a lot of water. Consequently, it is better not to put it, or in which case plant it only in the most showy areas of the garden.
Another option is to look for alternatives, such as planting foot-resistant grasses.
Like pine bark. This will help reduce water loss from the soil by evaporation.
Proper maintenance
This implies avoid the use of chemicals as much as possible, and pruning. These will be carried out only when they are strictly necessary.
7 plants for xerogardens
Getting a low or no maintenance garden will not be difficult if you put plants that live in similar climatic zones. But if you need help, here are some of the most recommended:
Albizia julibrissin
Known as the silk tree or acacia of Constantinople it is a beautiful deciduous tree that reaches 15 meters in height. In spring it produces very decorative pink flowers, and it resists frosts down to -7ºC.
Cupressus arizonica
Known as Arizona cypress or arizónica, it is an evergreen conifer that reaches a height of 25 meters. Its leaves are dark green or bluish, depending on the variety and / or cultivar, and it resists up to -18ºC.
Known as date, it is a normally multi-stemmed palm (with several trunks) up to 30 meters high with bluish-green pinnate leaves. It produces fruits, dates, which are edible, and it resists up to -10ºC.
Known as rose of Syria, It is a deciduous shrub or tree about 4 meters high that produces flowers of various colors, such as white, red, purple or pink. It resists frosts down to -10ºC.
Known as curly lavender or toothed lavender, it is a subshrub or shrub 30 to 45 inches tall that produces purple flowers in summer. It is capable of resisting up to -6ºC.
It is known as the mother-in-law's seat or barrel cactus, and it is a plant with a globular or spherical stem armed with long, sharp spines of a magnificent yellow color. It can reach a height of up to 1 meter, and resists weak frosts down to -4ºC, although it prefers milder climates.
Known as ivy, it is an evergreen climber that can reach over 30 meters in height if you have the right support to climb on. Its leaves are its main attraction, since they can be green or variegated. Resists up to -7ºC.
