WATERWISE GARDENING

If you want a colourful garden in spring and summer now (March - May) is the time to plant your shrubs, perennials and annuals.

* Planting in autumn will allow your plant to establish a good root system over the winter. The winter rains will quench their thirst when they most need it, leaving you with strong mature plants, with good root systems that will withstand the dry summer onslaught.

* The Western Cape has a Mediterranean climate which means hot dry summers and (hopefully) mild wet winters. Therefore, especially at the moment with chronic water restrictions, you should select plants that suit this climate. You don't have to limit yourself to indigenous plants; there are plenty of plants you can plant that originate from other parts of the world with similar climatic conditions to ours.

* Remember water restrictions don't mean that you have to give up gardening or that you can only use waterwise/drought tolerant plants. You can still use annuals to brighten up your garden in small patches. Prepare your ground well with compost, use mulch and it won't take up too much of your time to keep your plants strong and healthy.

* Visit our list of waterwise plants.

* Visit the websites below for more information on gardening in drought conditions;

http://www.mediterraneangardensociety.org http://www.dripirrigation.ca http://www.coloradogardening.com http://www.thewaterwisegarden.com http://www.xeriscape.org

Gazania Gazoo Red Ring
Gazania Daybreak Bronze
Gazania Gazoo Orange
Gazania Gazoo Vanilla
Gazania Gazoo Yellow
Gazania Gazoo Mix
Gazania Daybreak Pink Shades
Penstemon Rondo Mix
Marigold Inca Orange
Marigold Inca Yellow
Marigold Inca Gold
Marigold Inca Mix
Marigold Janie Flame
Marigold Janie Primrose
Marigold Janie Tangerine
Marigold Janie Yellow
Marigold Lemon Drop
Marigold Aurora Fire
Marigold Aurora Orange
Marigold Aurora Light Yellow
Marigold Durango Mix
Marigold Durango Yellow
Marigold Durango Tangerine
Marigold Durango Red
Marigold Durango Bolero
Marigold Disco Mix
Alyssum Easter Bonnet Deep Pink
Cosmos Ladybird Yellow
Cosmos Giant Sensation Mix
Cosmos Psycho White
Cosmos Dwarf Sensation Mix
Cosmos Sonata Mix
Cosmos Ladybird Orange
Penstemon Electric Blue
Alyssum Snow Crystals
Alyssum Easter Bonnet Lavender
Alyssum Easter Bonnet Violet
Alyssum Easter Basket Mixed
Alyssum Aphrodite Mix
Stachys Lanata
Vinca Pacifica Carmine Red
Vinca Pacifica Lilac
Vinca Pacifica Mix
Vinca Pacifica Peach
Vinca Pacifica Pink
Vinca Pacifica Polka Dot White
Vinca Pacifica Burgundy
Vinca Pacifica Rose Punch
Vinca Pacifica Pure White
Vinca Pacifica Deep Orchid
Vinca Pacifica Lipstick
Vinca Pacifica Apricot
Vinca Pacifica Blush
Godetia Azalea Flowered Mix
Godetia Charivari Mix
Cerastium Tomentosum
Cleome Mix

2005-03-10 10:07:21