When the forecast doesn’t predict a substantial amount of rain, watering your yard and garden can be costly and requires daily attention. There are quite a few options for drought-resistant landscaping that will greatly reduce the amount of water that your yard will need to be healthy and happy.
Cacti and Succulent plants come in a wide variety and require very little water. Don’t let the classic image of a cactus throw you—your yard doesn’t have to look like a desert! Examples of beautiful plants such as Aloe and Yucca are available at www.succulent-plant.com. If you’re comfortable watering periodically, there are a variety of low-maintenance shrubs, trees, groundcover and plants that don’t require frequent watering and thrive in Alabama. You can purchase these drought-resistant options from local retailers like Southern Homes and Gardens, with locations in Montgomery and Wetumpka, Alabama. Some popular choices include Boxwoods, Juniper, Lantana… even beautiful Alabama Azaleas are hardy and drought-tolerant.
For a comprehensive list of drought-resistant landscaping options, including large canopy and non-canopy trees; deciduous and evergreen shrubs; vines; ground covers; annuals, biennials and herbaceous perennials; herbs and ornamental grasses, visit the Alabama Cooperative Extension website. Their online listing includes both native and non-native plants that flourish in the Alabama climate.
Cut the Grass
You can also consider placing large rocks and gravel strategically around your yard for an attractive, low-maintenance means to take up space and add character. A wide, gravel walkway between flower beds will reduce the area that requires watering and will allow you to move about freely with buckets and wheelbarrows without worrying about harming your lawn or garden.
If you feel your yard would look appropriate with less lawn-area, talk to a landscaper about removing some of your grassy turf and replacing it with expanses of no-maintenance gravel and shrubs. These areas are perfect for outdoor furniture, lighting, and barbeque grills—no deck required. The remaining lawn area can be replaced with Bahia grass, Tall Fescue, or another drought-resistant type of sod such as Bermuda. These are all grasses that are best suited for long periods of hot weather and moderate rainfall—perfect for Alabama and other parts of the South. For more information about what type of grass might be best for your yard, visit www.american-lawns.com.
