By Chris Winslow
Although we have enjoyed some rains and cooler temperatures this year, drought conditions remain with us, and as we enter these oven-hot months, I notice my life has a certain repetitive rhythm to it: water all day long at the nursery, drive home… and more watering!
With all these hours spent holding the hose, I’ve had ample time to reflect on which plants are doing the best during these arid times.
There are seven trees which stand out: Monterrey oak, Texas persimmon, Texas mountain laurel, Chinese pistache, Chinquapin oak, mesquite, and Chitalpa. They all seem to thrive on little or no water at all. They were established trees when I moved to the property in 2001, and all are native except the Chinese Pistache and the Chitalpa – which I find loaded every day with a profusion of flowers that the hummingbirds love.
Some perennials and grasses that are holding their own: Mexican feather grass, miscanthus (maiden grass), muhly grass, blackfoot daisy, lantana, thyrallis (golden showers), Salvia gregii (cherry sage), Mexican bush sage, Copper Canyon daisy, four-nerve daisy, and esperanza.
Perhaps the showiest plant of all is pride of Barbados. Flowering daily throughout the summer, they are providing the butterflies with much needed nectar.
On the herbal side, rosemary, Mexican mint marigold, garden sage, and Mexican oregano seem to be doing just fine with infrequent, deep waterings.
We can’t forget the yuccas and agaves. No water – no problem. I planted an Agave americana (century plant) out by my front gate 3 years ago and without any extra water it has turned into 15 plants!
For annual color, tops are vinca-periwinkle, with purslanes and moss-roses in second place.
For another opinion, I consulted with Jerry Hinton, a landscaper in South Austin. Here’s Jerry’s list: Mexican mint marigold, Mexican oregano, Mexican feathergrass, santolina, dwarf Barbados cherry, thyrallis, silver bush germander, yaupon holly, silver ponyfoot, and Gregg’s dalea.
With a little planning and a great number of drought tolerant and heat hardy plants to choose from, one could most certainly create a beautiful and water conserving landscape.
Happy gardening everyone!
If you have a question, send it to me via email: iathyme@yahoo.com. (Please put ‘Ask Chris Winslow’ in the subject line.) Or mail your letter or postcard to: Ask Chris Winslow. It’s About Thyme: 11726 Manchaca Road, Austin, TX 78748
www.itsaboutthyme.com
