Drought Resistant Landscaping by Novation Landscaping and Irrigation

http://novationlandscapes.com With the record setting Texas drought many lawns, shrubs and trees have suffered and wilted and even died altogether. Going forward it is smart to realize that there are great looking alternatives to plant that can well stand the intense weather conditions we have experienced and are likely to see again. There are many different types of drought-tolerant plants available. Some popular succulents are sedums, agave, aloe and hens and chicks. Drought-tolerant perennials include rosemary, Russian sage, coneflower, moonshine yarrow and statice. Shrubs that are drought-tolerant include lavender, coyote bush and Mexican sage. And if you would like a drought-tolerant groundcover, some choices are lambs ear, ice plant, and moss pink. Plants that are drought-tolerant typically have certain physical characteristics. The leaves are succulent with a waxy coating or hairs on the leaf surface. Succulent leaves are thick because that is where the plant stores water. The waxy coating helps to reduce evaporation, and the leaf hairs reflect sunlight. Other drought-tolerant plants have small leaves or leaves that are divided into narrow segments. These types of leaves reduce evaporation because of the small area exposed to sunlight. Silver or gray leaves help to reflect sunlight off of the plant. Fuzzy leaves or thorns help to shade the plant and reduce evaporation. When it comes time to place new plants in the soil, always make sure you soak the plants in water thoroughly. Since the plants are new, they have not had time to develop the extensive root system of a mature plant. If possible, plant in the evening or on a cloudy day. You will need to water the new plants more than usual for the first few weeks, but take care not to overwater. As they mature, you only need to water frequently enough to keep the plants healthy. Once you have the plants in the soil, place about 1 inch of mulch on the ground around the plants to conserve water