Q/A column – for release May 17, 2009

Dan Culbert - Extension Horticulture Agent  

Droughty Garden & Shrubby Groundcover:

 How Does Your Garden Grow?

Drought Tolerant Gardening

Drought, drought and more drought ...what do we plant in a drought that can we use it for food? ~ Joan

One of the basic rules for Florida Friendly landscaping is to get a plant well established and then step back and let Mother Nature take its course.  During a drought, it is not the time to even think about adding new plants to the landscape.   The combination of intense sun and lack of rainfall will cook them well before they get established.  Please do visit your favorite garden center – they really need your business.  Go ahead and purchase those plants that you know will do well in your location.  But keep them stored under the shade of a tree, inside a screen patio or on the north side of your house until the rains begin.  Check them daily and add water with a hose as needed, being sure to follow watering restrictions. 

As far as edible gardening is concerned keep a constant vigil on those plants in the garden that are still producing.   Using soaker hoses or drip tape systems along with lots of mulch will conserve the water that you will need to apply.  It’s unlikely that any new garden plantings will have much success, so hold off and begin your plans to solarize your garden before next fall’s planting time.  Here’s a link to more on soil solarization: http://okeechobee.ifas.ufl.edu/News%20columns/soil.solarization.htm

About the only plant that I can think of that has edible qualities and will hold up to drought is the Prickly Pear Cactus – they do produce an edible fruit at the base of the flowers, but normally this plant flowers later in the year.   Here’s a link for more on Prickly Pears: http://okeechobee.ifas.ufl.edu/News%20columns/Prickley.Pear.htm

 

Arboricola as a Groundcover

I have a circular drive with dwarf Ficus around the perimeter and red rock on the ground.  A friend of mine is recommending Arboricola ‘Trinette’ as colorful ground cover that is low maintenance.  Is this a good application for this plant? ~ Thanks, George -   PS- Go Gators!!!

Arboricola is a very versatile plant that can be used for variety of uses, but I would suggest that it is not suitable as a real ‘groundcover’.  Arboricola can grow tall; it can stretch to several feet if left unpruned.   While it does tend to spread outwards, it does not creep along the ground surface as a true groundcover without a lot of constant pruning needed to keep it a foot or less in height.

If you are seeking a “bedding plant” that can be maintained at a height of 1-2 feet, with regular pruning the Arboricola can be a possible choice.  It is a non-native plant, but is drought tolerant once established, and if using the Trinette variety, the landscape bed can have a splash of yellow with the green foliage of this plant.

Here’s a link to more about this plant: http://okeechobee.ifas.ufl.edu/News%20columns/Arboricola.Trinette.htm .  Good Luck!

Send your favorite garden question by fax (863-763-5901), email (okeenews@newszap.com) or drop it off at the Okeechobee News office (107 SW 17th St. Suite D, Okeechobee, FL 34974).  Be sure to include your name and phone or email address in case we need more information.  Clear digital photographs may also be submitted.  Do not drop by actual plant specimens.  We reserve the right to edit all questions for space.   If you have additional questions on your Florida Yard, see our webpage http://okeechobee.ifas.ufl.edu, send us an email okeechobee@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 with Master Gardeners from 1 to 3 PM on Tuesday afternoons.  Go Gators!!

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