UF/IFAS Okeechobee County Extension Service

458 Highway 98 North

Okeechobee, FL 34972-2578

Phone: (863) 763-6469

E- mail: okeechobee@ifas.ufl.edu 

June 6, 2007

Feature Article - for release the week of June 10, 2007

Angela Sachson – Florida Yards & Neighborhoods Program

Drought-Tolerant Beauties

Now that the drought of 2007 is officially worse than previous droughts, a slow recovery is predicted.  Water managers tell us we are under phase III restrictions, which mean watering is allowed only one day a week.  It may be time to re-introduce ourselves to terms like Xeriscaping, Native Plants, and Conservation.

Xeric landscaping is landscaping aimed at conserving water.  It is now the norm in western states.  Xeriscaping^tm is a copyrighted term of the Denver Water Board; in Florida, the term “Florida-Friendly landscaping” includes using good water conservation practices in our Florida Yards.

Although Florida is not as arid, as say, Colorado, we do have a very dry season every year.  And we also have water shortages.  The concept of Xeriscaping^tm uses natural systems and native plants as a model for your Yard.  

Native plants have been flourishing in our droughty/rainy seasonal climates for longer than we can imagine. Native plants may be thought of as spindly weed-like things with inconspicuous flowers and tiny leaves.  But some drought-tolerant natives include un-weed-like beautyberry, mimosa, fire bush, milkweed and sea grape.

Three Florida Yards & Neighborhoods principles come to mind in drought: 

*       Right plant, Right Place: choose plants according to site conditions and group them according to light and water needs.

*       Water efficiently.

*       Mulch to keep moisture in and weeds out.

Even mindful of water restrictions, I find myself wanting to water at least some thirsty plants every day.  They wilt and I water. To stay in compliance I use “grey” water from the shower.   But as I look around my yard and neighborhood, many plants look happy to forego the watering ritual, even in this severe drought. 

Some drought tolerant plants

Here are some plants I have noticed laughing at the drought:

Shrubs:  Plumbago - both blue and white forms are thriving.  Bougainvillea is happy to be growing in the dry soil.  Crape Myrtle can be shrub or tree but, once established is very drought tolerant. So is Wax Myrtle.  These plants are also happy in the rainy season! 

Ornamental Grasses:  these are staunch survivors in drought and come in hundreds of forms.  Water-storing cactus and succulents seem designed for drought. Groundcovers like Perennial Peanut, Portulaca and vining Mimosa (Sensitive Plant) like it dry as do most herbs.

Flowering annuals and perennials:  there are lots of these plants that thrive in heat and drought, including Salvia, Lantana, Coreopsis, Coneflower, Periwinkle and Josephs Coat (Amaranth) that come in many beautiful shapes and sizes and colors. You could create a whole landscape using only one of these species, but diversity itself is another principle of a Florida Friendly Yard.

I have noticed that the ferns in my shade garden are less thirsty than the flowering plants.  Most plants that thrive in shade are pretty drought tolerant except, of course, impatiens.

This is Powderpuff Plant  (Mimosa strigulosa) a spreading native groundcover that has very low water requirements. Be certain not to choose its look-alike relative, Cat Claw Mimosa, which loos similar, but is an invasive weed with thorns. Photo: Dan Culbert, UF/IFAS

Yucca Plants are very drought tolerant. Photo: Dan Culbert, UF/IFAS

 Watering Plants – new and old

And, before I run out and replace all my thirsty plants with drought-tolerant species, I need to remind myself that newly transplanted plants require extra water for a time. 

How much extra water is needed to get plants started?  One rule of thumb is 6-months for a gallon container, one-year for a three-gallon container plant, and six to 12-months for each inch in trunk diameter for newly planted trees.  Seeds need to stay moist, and plants in pots—especially clay pots—need more frequent watering than those planted in the ground.

There are some other things to do which will help.  Make sure your gutters run on to soil and not concrete.  Raise the cutting height of your lawnmower.  Taller grass develops deeper roots with more water holding capabilities.  Water turfgrass and bedding plants only when they look stressed. 

Don’t do anything to promote plant growth—like fertilizing or pruning.  Consider installing a drip irrigation system and also build a rain barrel.  Watch for a rain barrel workshop coming to an extension office near you!   While our local rainy season began on May 14, we can still get our rain barrels installed in June.

I’ve placed more information on our Okeechobee web page, http://okeechobee.ifas.ufl.edu.  If you need additional information on drought tolerant landscaping,  please email us at okeechobee@ifas.ufl.edu or call us at 863-763-6469.  Local residents can stop by our office at 458 Hwy 98 North in Okeechobee, and visit our Okeechobee County Master Gardeners from 1 to 3 PM on Tuesday afternoons.  GO GATORS!

Trade names, where used, are given for the purpose of providing specific information. They do not constitute an endorsement or guarantee of products named, nor does it imply criticism of products not named. The Florida Cooperative Extension Service - Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer authorized to provide research, educational information, and other services to individuals and institutions that function without regard to race, color, sex, age, handicap, or national origin.  Florida Cooperative Extension Service / IFAS / University of Florida.  Larry A.  Arrington, Dean. Last update: 06/07/2007.  This page is maintained by Dan Culbert    

references

Florida Yards & Neighborhoods Program.  A Guide to Florida-Friendly Landscaping (SP-191). Gainesville: Florida Cooperative Extension Service, 2006 (3rd Edition).    http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/fyn/handbook.pdf

Planting a Drought Tolerant Landscape.  Starke: UF/IFAS Bradford County Extension Service, 2007.  http://bradford.ifas.ufl.edu/drought_tolerant_landscape.shtml

Sachson, A.   "Right Plant, Right Place Florida Friendly Bougainvillea Has Everything-- Looks, Personality."  Okeechobee: UF/IFAS Extension Service,  5/9/07. http://okeechobee.ifas.ufl.edu/News%20columns/Bougainvillea.htm