Creating A Water-Efficient Garden: Saving Water Is A Way of Life - Capetown, New Zealand

1. Watering early in the morning allows less water to be lost
Bulbs/Corms through evaporation, Certain plants develop fungi, if watered
at night, e.g. mildew on roses and zinnias or rust on lawns,
Most bulbs/corms are suitable.
Some of the more hardy bulbs/corms are: Watsonias, A PROPERLY DESIGNED irrigation system could save up to 30%
Chinkerinchee and Knysna lily (Cytanthus), Moreas, Amaryllis, of water used. Always override your irrigation system if it rains.
Freesias, Ixias, etc. Several Agapanthus species although not Encourage deep roots by watering for longer periods but less
bulbs are drought-tolerant and make excellent ground covers. often. This applies particularly to lawns.
Saving water is a way of life
Annuals Conclusion
Very few annual plants can survive drought for long periods, It is important to realise that a water-wise garden planted now,
Creating a
but with MULCHING, and careful selection of the many varieties
available, one can have a very good display,
will continue to yield benefits not only in the immediate years,
but 40 or 50 years hence, when water scarcity will be even
water-efficient
more severe.
garden
Ground preparation The challenge to us all is the optimal use of water in our gardens
as a way of life and the most effective means to this end is to
Mulching and composting have the following benefits: avail ourselves of the enormous floral wealth of indigenous
plants available here in the Western Cape.
conserves soil moisture and reduces evaporation of water
prevents soil erosion and run-off and retains maximum water
Saving water is a way of life
reduces weed growth and thereby saves water
absorbs heat and keeps the soil cool beneath
reduces the fluctuation in temperature
improves the soil condition and nutrients
during compost decomposure
Straw, bark chips, gravel, pebbles, exposed aggregate, nut shells
and leaves are other materials which can be used for mulching.
Soil water retention is vitally important to a plant’s ability to
utilise water. Try using a soil-wetting agent to help the soil retain
and absorb the water which is applied to it.
Watering
Grey water or the water one discards in the home is often
wasted, instead of used in the garden. Many people have
devised ways of catching bathwater and rainwater which
can be recycled and used in the garden.
During water restrictions people are only permitted to water
the garden on a specified day (depending upon the level of
restriction), before 10:00 in the morning or after 17:00 in
the evening.
PRINTED MARCH 2006

2. Introduction Shrubs Ground covers
The water consumed from municipal connections in our towns There are many attractive drought-tolerant shrubs of Good ground covers are Lampranthus, Erigeron Osteospermum
and cities for gardening purposes amounts to an estimated 36% varying sizes, shapes and textures which will provide a (especially in coastal areas), Carpobrutus and Sutera. To add
of all domestic water consumed. This is a staggering amount for framework for the garden or a screen of protection for colour, try bulbine caulescens which has attractive yellow
a country whose average annual rainfall is only 497 mm. more lower growing shrubs, perennials and ground covers. flowers. Gazania grows with little attention and the absolute
The dry Cape Town summer only serves to aggravate the Successful gardens are planned, using a mixture of shrubs, minimum of water.
problem of water scarcity. perennials, bulbs and climbers, with similar soil and water
requirements, which will also provide you with a year-round Grass
In order to conserve water in the garden, and still have a display. Some of the many tough, attractive shrubs are:
good display, plants that can withstand prolonged periods Very highly recommended buffalo grass (Stenotaphrum
without watering should be grouped together, We, as gardeners, *Bauhinia galpinii (Pride of the Cape), *Brachylaena (good secundatum) with its broad, deep green leaves is especially
need to familiarise ourselves with the large variety of drought- for seaside gardens), *Buddleia, *Coprosma (mirror plant), suitable for lawns in sun or shade, requiring less water and
tolerant plants which can be successfully used in our water-wise nysknjvs
*Myrtus, *Ochna serrulata, *Portulacaria, *Raphiolepsis maintenance. Royal Cape, a fine grass from the Cynodon family
gardens. and *Viburnum tinus. is also worth growing. Lawns generally require more water than
shrubs. It would be a good idea to assess how much lawn area
Besides our large selection of indigenous plants, there is Smaller shrubs which provide a link between taller varieties and one actually needs as one’s water consumption can be reduced
an extensive selection of drought-tolerant plants, which perennials because of their bushiness, can act as ground covers through using paving, gravel or aggregate, especially where
are often overlooked by gardeners when making a selection. depending on their natural growth. Try some of these drought- people frequently walk.
The indigenous plants available to us have developed by nature resistant species:
to cope with the dry local conditions, and are therefore infinitely Creepers and vines
suitable for a water conserving, water-wise garden. While some *Barleria, *Cistus, *Carissa, *Coleonema, *Helicchrysum,
plants detailed in this leaflet are not indigenous, many are and *Rosmarinus (rosemary), *Salvia africana, *Sutherlandia, Creepers and vines can form an important aspect in any garden
your local nursery will only be too pleased to offer further advice. *Dimorphotheca cuneata (bride’d bouquet), *Euphorbia as they can always provide a good cover for screening, pergolas
(Look for the water-wise label) mauritanica, *Hermannia stricta (desert rose), *Sutera and backdrops.
grandiflora, *Lavandula dentata (lavender), *Westringia
variegata, *Eriocephalus (wild rosemary), and many more. Bougainvillea needs no introduction but the indigenous
Trees (Cape Honeysuckle) *Tecomaria, and Plumbago are also well
known. The Geranium, Pelargonium peltatum, Jasminum
There are many beautifully shaped trees, such as the *Acacia Perennials and succulents multipartatum, *Gelsemium jasminoides, Senecio tamoides
Karoo, *Rhus Pendulina, *Rhus Lancea, *Dodonea Ongustifolia (canary creeper) are other examples of the potential and
(sand olive), *Sysigium Cordtina, Olea (olive), *Cussonia (cabbage The following are some well-known species: attractiveness of this group.
tree), etc. that are more tolerant of drier conditions, *Gerbera jamesonii (Barberton daisy), *Kniphofia uvaria (red
Before planting, check to see if you have a suitable position in
your garden to accomodate its mature size, height and shape.
hot poker), *Aloes, *Gaura, *Arctotis, *Crassulas, *Euphorbia,
Felicia, *Lampranthus, *Pelargoniums, *Dietes and Sanseviera.
Saving water is a way of life
*Indigenous *Indigenous *Indigenous