Water Wise Plants Can Be Soothing To the Spirit And The Water Bills
There are some less than accurate perceptions of all water-wise plants not being “user-friendly”—you know, sharp and pointy, not things you want to go touch, etc. Today I would like to put that idea to rest. I am writing about water-wise plants with magnificent fragrance— the delights of flowers and plants that smell good enough to eat—and how having a few of these in your garden will change your thoughts and have you heading for user-friendly, very low water use plants like lavenders and sages. Please know that we do not wish to overwhelm you with the fact that there are many hundreds more to choose from. These just happen to be some of my favorites. Check out the nurseries for many other choices.
Just outside my back door is a beautiful patch of French lavender Lavandula dentata that I planted a couple years ago in a hot spot that seemed totally unwilling to support any sort of reputable plant life. Trying lavender here seemed logical and appropriate, as I had installed other low water use plants close by that I thought looked nice together—and smelled great together. The other plants included Pineapple Sage Salvia elegans (the soft furry leaves smell just like ripe pineapple) with fire engine red, tubular flowers that start blooming in September and are still drawing hummingbirds at Christmas. Next to that is Cleveland Sage Salvia clevelandii, with brilliant cobalt blue flowers and almost sweet-smelling foliage. And they all get the same irrigation, about once a month. Being in this hydrozone where all plants get the same water and sun requirements makes taking care of this garden a snap.
Now about 3 years later, this is the best “fly-in” restaurant on the property for the hummers and their friends and on any given morning I can sit quietly watching these tiny bejeweled birds drop in for breakfast. In addition, the plants are alive with pollinators like orchard bees, bumblebees and of course, the humble little honey bees; if you freak out at the word “bee”, consider the fact that most pollinators, such as these bees, are gentle in nature and are not out to get you—just all that lovely pollen.
Speaking of lavenders now, they seem to cause many concern when it comes to how many are available (hundreds) and how to prune them. There are books totally devoted to this lovely fragrant plant but if you’d like to check out a good video clip on the ways to prune different forms—they can range from a tiny ten inches to about five feet—go to http://www.mountainvalleygrowers.com/Lavender.htm and get some great tips from my friend who grows 28 varieties! I still have sachets that I made ten years ago with my own lavenders that smell as dreamy as the day I put them in the bags.
There is lavender for every space, as long as there is sun—they do not like shade (all day), wet feet or being planted too early in spring. If you try to put them in the wrong place, you will be disappointed and so will they.
There is another group of aromatic plants that you can tuck in near the ones I have mentioned: Herbs! Although they are not all low-water use, most are and the hotter it gets, the happier they get. These “useful” plants provide nectar and pollen for our winged friends and good eats for us. I guarantee that once you plant herbs, you will be permanently hooked on the many positive benefits of fragrance in the garden. And as Luther Burbank put it so well, “Flowers always make people better, happier, and more helpful: they are sunshine, food and medicine to the soul.” Til next time, keep learning and earning your Blue Thumb.
Pingback: Water Wise Plants Can Be Soothing To the Spirit And The Water Bills | Blue Thumb
Very interesting post. Your own web site is swiftly turning out to be certainly one of my favorites.
I just posted this on Facebook. Thanks, Vicky!
You are welcome! Please feel free to pass the Blue Thumb message along–have you taken the “Blue Thumb Pledge” online at http://www.bewatersmart.info ?? Check it out! VB
Wow, your post makes mine look febele. More power to you!
after reading comments here, and today’s Bee article, I’m sold! But I’m a single parent on a budget. I have small area in my back yard that is half lawn and half garden I’ve already planted with indigenous hummingbird and butterfly attractants. my front yard (also not large) is all grass. Are there resources, websites, or programs that can help me transform on a budget?
Thanks!
Hi Jan, yes to all! There are some wonderful resources, websites, and programs available. One question often leads to another, so let me ask and offer:
First, I say, “good for you” for wanting to transform your landscape. I think being on a budget is a good thing! Yes, it can be challenging, but usually much more fun than just waving your hands and “poof”, like a fairy tale, the work is all done. That’s not nearly as rewarding as knowing that you made the decisions along the way and got to do the project just as you wanted to, within your own time frame and, yes, within your budget.
Programs – Who is your water provider? On the BeWaterSmart.info site, you can easily find this out under the “Why Conserve Water” heading. As a Mom, ask yourself, “Do I need a lawn for my family? How much lawn is enough for our activities?” Many of our region’s water providers offer incentive programs, such as, “Cash for Grass” or “Lawn Rebate Programs” for removing or reducing your thirsty lawn and replacing it with low water-use plants and other materials that are pervious (to allow water to soak through or around them and into your soil instead of the gutter). Some programs have rebates for smart controllers – some even have rebates toward the cost of the installation. Some offer rebates for equipment that can increase irrigation efficiency. Sacramento County offers rebates for the installation of a rain garden at http://www.riverfriendly.org. (There’s also an “Events” calendar where you’ll find educational programs listed.)
Workshops – It sounds as though you’re planning to do the work yourself (or most of it), right? This is often the least expensive route, but — and I say “but” followed by a long pause — think about what you’re comfortable doing and take the time to think about what your goals are for you and your family. This will guide you. There are a lot of “How To” resources available and free workshops (or nearly free) offered by water providers throughout the region. I always feel more confident about taking on a project after I’ve attended a workshop or two where I receive instruction from the experts and get to do some “hands on” work. I’d rather talk with others about their experiences and learn from them rather than creating my own – if you know what I mean. Here are just a few upcoming workshops:
• The University of California Sacramento Master Gardeners are hosting Harvest Day on Saturday, August 6th from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., at the Fair Oaks Horticulture Center, 11549 Fair Oaks Blvd. Oh! Did I mention that it’s free. (www.ucanr.org/sites/sacmg)
• The City of Folsom’s next workshop is on “Right Plant, Right Place”, August 25th at 6:30 p.m. For more information call 916-355-7252. Again free!
• Coming in August, the Roseville Utility Exploration Center will publish its Green Living Guide, a list of workshops on everything from efficient irrigation to vermicomposting – yes, those squirmy critters that are so great for our soil (www.roseville.ca.us/explore). Minimal registration fees and some are free! Beginning on September 10th and on the second Saturday of each month (please check the schedule for topics), they’ll give you an opportunity to “Ask the Expert” from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Okay, so now that you’re armed with information, knowing what you can and cannot physically or technically do yourself can save you a lot of money by preventing costly mistakes. For example, if you want to do the planting but know that your irrigation system needs to be upgraded, put your money toward hiring a qualified professional to do the “infrastructure” of the system – the trenches, pipes, etc. – the part that you want to make sure is done correctly so no water or money is wasted. On the BeWaterSmart.info site, you’ll find a list of Qualified Green Gardeners who have gone through a 10-week course to learn about resource-efficient and pollution-prevention landscaping. The list will include whether they are licensed contractors and their additional qualifications. Also refer to the California Landscape Contractors Association (www.clca.org) to find a licensed contractor in your area.
Resources – Here are a few:
• Take a look at the “Smart from the Start Landscaping” at http://www.h2ouse.org. This site has superb information about everything from designing a new water-efficient landscape to how to improve an existing landscape.
• On the BeWaterSmart.info site, under the Water Smart Gardening heading, there’s a wonderful Interactive Plant/Garden Database called “Water-Wise Gardening in the Gold Country.” It’s got much more than plants though. There many landscape examples to give you ideas for yours and be sure to check out the Garden Resources section.
How about this: I like to play a game called “Beautiful on a Budget.” This works for the inside as well as the outside of your home. Look through a magazine and pick out a landscape that speaks to you or even just one small area of that landscape. Although the landscape in the photo probably had a big price tag attached to it, what I like to do is to really look at each element that I like, set my budget, and then let the search begin. My goal is to find items or materials that look very close to what’s shown in the magazine – but for many dollars less – and recreate what I saw in the photo. Of course there are the usual second-hand stores that have great “finds” – don’t forget paint goes a long way from transforming a bench or table from boring to beautiful. If you have an old concrete sidewalk that’s cracked and uneven, break the concrete into large pieces and make a new stepping stone path. (You may need to rent a jackhammer. Remember “safety first”, so don’t be shy about asking for help.)
My motto: “Re-consider (keeping that old and tired something in your yard), Re-Use (or “re-purpose” by giving it a new use – like using that old toilet that you replaced with a High Efficiency Toilet that you got with a rebate (yes, a rebate) and use it as a planter, and Re-Cycle (if I absolutely can’t use it, make sure it gets recycled). Save money and add interest to your landscape by using salvaged items. Have you been to the Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore (www.shfh.org)? If you don’t find something today, check again soon because they’re always getting in new items. You can buy new and used construction materials (and all kinds of other things) at huge discounts.
Jan, is this enough to get you started? My Blue Thumb Blog partner, Vicky, always encourages me to “keep it simple” and since she’s the wonderful and wise woman that she is, I try to listen, but sometimes I just can’t help myself — I get excited that we have so many excellent resources at our fingertips, but I also know that it can be overwhelming. So, we’re here to help you and other BTBs wade through those over irrigated landscapes and the amount of information “out there.” Just take it one step at a time and write to us with your questions. Especially for those of us on a budget, changing our landscapes to be water-efficient will save us money and ensure we have the water our families need today and tomorrow!
CB
Your answer was just what I nedeed. It’s made my day!
great advice for homeowners.
contractors should also read this.
That way when you’re ready to find the right one they will know what to offer.
http://ServiceAGroup.com
160531 759673Wow, suprisingly I never knew this. Maintain up with excellent posts. 785125