Here in the UK summer water restrictions are becoming more common place, with hose pipe bans a regular feature of the British Summer. As a landscape gardener in the UK it's important to recognize this and adapt our garden design service to suit the changing needs of our climate and indeed our clients.
The problem with many new gardens is they are over planted and the soil retains little water, this means the garden requires watering more often especially in the summer. This problem can be fixed fairly easily by loading the soil with lots of compost. A compost rich soil tends to retain more water and encourages plants roots to be more healthy, this in turns reduces the amount of water needs to sustain them,
Once the soil is optimized with compost, it's important to consider the placement and balance of your plants. Plants that require little water can be placed together on one side of the garden, with our thirstier plants on the other side of the garden. This layout ensures that you do not waste extra water on plants that simply do not require it. Once this is complete, it's worth considering installing a drip irrigation system, this is a great method of optimizing water use, as water is dripped slowly into the plants meaning they won't saturate and they will absorb a higher percentage of the water under normal watering.
You might also consider the types of plant you use, as different plants require different amounts of water. If you want a good shrub that doesn't use up more than its share of water, look for Heavenly Bamboo. It is not only tolerant of droughts, but looks rather decorative in any garden. Herbs such as rosemary are useful in preparing meals, and are rarely thirsty, so worth considering also.
If you are planing to install water features, it's important to ensure its sealed well with no leaks, but you might also consider what plants you put in nearby it, as the extra moisture in the air can aid plant growth.
If you're trying to find flowers that will still be lush and beautiful despite the lower amounts of water, look for penstemon varieties like Garnet, Apple Blossom, Moonbeam, and Midnight. You can attract hummingbirds and butterflies with varieties like Cosmos and Yarrow. The best part about all these plants is that they don't look rugged and withstanding, but they sure are. Your neighbors won't be saying "Look at them, they downgraded their plants just to withstand the drought. What fools!" Instead they will be marveling over how you keep your flowers so beautiful in the midst of the watering regulations.
One of the best drought resistant plants is Lavender. A large group of Lavender looks unbelievably gorgeous in your garden, and hardly requires any water to flourish. Pineapple sage is another personal favorite. It is a 2+ foot shrub that smells strangely of pineapple. It's another major attracter of hummingbirds, and the leaves are also useful to add taste to drinks.
So if you are trying to create a great landscape gardener design, and you're dealing with a drought or ever tightening watering regulations, I suggest you try some of the things I've mentioned. Even if you're just trying to conserve water or be generally more efficient with it, I think you'll still be able to benefit.
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About Me: David is a highly experienced UK based Landscaper Gardener, with over 14 years creating beautiful gardens David knows a thing or two about gardens!
Homepage: http://www.addingtons.net
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