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Appropriate Plant Selection No strategy creates more controversy than telling people what to plant in their yards and gardens. On the plant selection section of this Web site is a list of common urban landscape plants and their potential water use based on the location of the garden in the state. Use of this type of independent evaluation mechanism also includes additional inputs such as fertilization, pesticides, etc. which impact runoff and the amount of irrigation needed to "water in" the additives. Use of an independent evaluative tool such as the PlantSelector eliminates many arguments over plant lists in ordinance or rule making situations.Advance work with plant nurseries and retail nurseries is advised before implementing any plant selection strategy. A normal landscape has a lifespan of 5-7 years so water savings actions need to take into account the design and replanting of current landscapes. The PlantSelector database is regionalized so that the order in which plants are presented to you varies with the locality. The landscape plants in the database have each been rated by a team of plant experts knowledgeable about the best plants for their region. Another factor important to the success of plants in the landscape is light exposure. Blooming plants flower profusely only when day length and amount of sunlight is right for them. Therefore, sun and shade placement of plants is an essential consideration. Hardscape reflects both light and heat, so plants with little heat tolerance should be placed away from walls and fences, particularly southern or western exposures. Trees and shrubs can be placed strategically to shade western sun and to shield air conditioning units, cutting back on energy use, which in the long run also cuts down on water use by the energy provider. Shade tolerant plantings under natural shade cover reduces water needs and are part of a water wise strategy. |
