Water Wise Plants Rescue Parched Gardens by Susan McCoy

"Drought is as common as thunderstorms and hot summer days," says Dr. Don Wilhite, founder of the national Drought Mitigation Center in Omaha, Nebraska. "It's part of all climates," Wilhite continues. "The key is being prepared."

Unfortunately, the drought in the Southeast is predicted to last well into 2008 in more than three-fourths of the region. The good news is gardening is still allowed in most areas. The key is in knowing what to plant- and where.

The water shortages in many parts of the Southeast have resulted in imposed water restrictions, and these water bans have communicated misconceptions that landscaping is non-essential. But, for Mary Kay Woodworth, vice-president of the Georgia Urban Agricultural Council, landscapes are essential in protecting our delicate eco-system.

"Lawns, ground covers and vegetation are crucial to managing ground water and assist in retention, filtration and purification of a watershed," Woodworth asserts.

Today's consumers want an eco-wise garden which is low-maintenance, attractive, and drought resisyant, but they need help selecting colorful plants which conserve water and thrive during drought conditions.

Follow these simple rules to assure that you can conserve water, garden responsibly and still have a beautiful yard this summer!

1. GET IN SHAPE! The key to gardening is conditioning: conditioning the soil, applying mulch, and picking high-performance plants. Use at least 2" of mulch to retain soil moisture; use soaker hoses or drip irrigation with timers; and cut back annuals and perennials during dry spells. They'll bounce back sooner.

2. PLANTS THAT DRINK RESPONSIBLY. Look for plants that are pre-selected to save water, like the new "Water Wise" Plant Collection at Lowes. Water Wise, created by Costa Farms, is a water conservation program highlighting annuals and perennials, shrubs and trees that use much less water while providing lots of color, blooms, and greenery.

3. THE RIGHT PLANTS FOR THE RIGHT SPOT. Choosing plants which are drought resistant yet splash your landscapes with bold color, heady fragrance, and create interesting architectural boundaries is a gardeners dream. Experts like Joe Lamp'l, host for PBS Garden Smart says, "Using the right plant in the right place is always the best strategy to save water in the landscape."

He suggests using plants that hug the ground and have thick succulent foliage that are better suited for dry soils and drought conditions. Look for water conserving bedding plants -like Purslane, Blue Daze, and Lantana - which provide excellent ground cover, add interest to rock gardens, and bedazzle containers.

4. FORM CLIQUES. Group together plants that provide bold color, dramatic curb appeal, and visual excitement! Cost's Water-Wise Shrubs and Trees, personally selected by professionals, provide wonderful borders, shade, and texture, and are stunning accents to your poolside, deck or patio. Colorful Cosmos add beauty to your flower bed or cutting garden, while stunning verbena trailing over rock walls, creates a dramatic, yet water-saving effect.

5. CONTAIN YOURSELF. Container gardening saves water and is visually appealing. Group plants according to complementary colors which boost design appeal. And try adding succulents to your garden landscape. They're able to survive arid regions through their efficient and water-storing capabilities, easy to grow, and are trendy. With their versatility ranging from containers to hillside gardens, succulents and cacti add year-round visual beauty.

"Water Wise plants have rescued the drought-weary consumer with exceptional choices for landscaping," says Jose Smith, CEO of Costa Farms. “A little bit of Water-Wise wisdom will go a long way to help homeowners have beautiful yards and still conserve water."

The new Water Wise collection, easily identified by the label, was developed for Lowe's and is being released across the Southeast this spring.

For a complete description of Costa's water conserving plants, visit www.Learn2Grow.com/WaterWise.


About the Author

Well known in gardening circles, SUSAN McCOY is a garden trend spotter and founder and president of the Garden Media Group, a public relations and marketing firm specializing in the lawn & garden industry and one of the top 10 PR agencies in Philadelphia. For more than 18 years, GMG has promoted plants and products to the outdoor living and green industries, generating consumer awareness and driving consumer demand for new plants and green products.