What bushes and grass are the most drought resistant?
Question:I need to plant shrubs. In the direct sunlight. Watering is an issue. Every summer we are on severe water restrictions.
What are the best plants,bushes and grass in the sun and little water?
Answers:
typically, any native australian plants are good for what your after, and as a bonus, they'll attract the wildlife, which is always enjoyable when sitting in your yard ( i find anyway).
The best thing to do would be to go to your local garden store and ask what plants best suit your requirements and area. Or, you could look it up on the internet or get a book on the subject.
Texas sage bushes are beautiful and drought tolerant. They are mid-sized, with fine silver leaves and masses of tiny purple flowers in the summer. You can neglect these bushes and they'll still be strong and beautiful!
I'm in north central Texas. Our summers are "hot' with relentless hot sun. Watering restrictions all time. Around my pool I used to have bushes. No more. Took them all out.
Planted cactus and yuccas. Covered the ground with landscape rock. Went out to west Texas and collected rocks that I could lift to the back of my truck from along side a country road. Set them all around on the landscape rocks.
I don't water that area at all. They are drought resistant and use very little water. I did the same thing with the bushes in the front of the house. Low maintenance and it all looks great.
The cactus bloom with beautiful lemon colored flowers and the yucca bloom with white!!
Native plants that are common to your locale will be your very best bet. I live in Florida and am amazed at how well my lantana does with total neglect!! Beach sunflower is another drought-resistant plant that spreads and flowers constantly.
Check with your local County Extenson office or Home Depot or Lowe's in your area...
Lavender plants require very little water and will grow into decent sized shrubs. The fact that they bloom, are fragrant, and supply cut flowers are a bonus! I planted two lavenders in full sun late last spring (they were in 4" pots), and watered them once a week or so during the summer. This spring they leafed out huge (probably 4' in diameter) and I haven't watered them once since the last rain we had in late May (and it's been hot - 85-90+ most days). They look great and not thirsty at all.
Good luck!
Stop by your public library and pick up a few books on xeriscaping and some on growing native, drought resistant plants. I used a lot of these kinds of plants in South Texas.
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