Appropriate Plant Selection

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1. Select plants that require a minimal amount of supplemental watering.

Most Xeriscape plants will need no supplemental watering after an establishment period, unless there is an extreme drought. The establishment period after installation may require from 18 to 24 months.

Almost any plant can be used in a Xeriscape landscape if grouped according to its water needs. Annual and exotic plantings can be located in small, easily accessible areas to make maintenance easier. Irrigation can then be zoned according to plant water needs to make efficient irrigation possible.

Many native plants are well adapted to the natural soil and rainfall conditions of our area. They have protection mechanisms that cause them to go dormant during periods of stress. They may appear brown, but will turn green again when temperatures improve and it rains.

2. Choose a diversity of plant species.

Avoid planting large numbers of only one plant species, which can create a monoculture susceptible to pest or insect problems. (A variety of plant species occurs in nature, making more stable and diverse plant populations.)

The abundance of Xeriscape plants - trees, shrubs, perennials, groundcovers, vines and grasses - available in the nursery industry make it possible to choose plantings which give color and interest (flowers, fruits, berries, and foliage) year-round.

3. Buy from reputable suppliers and nurseries.

Well-established plant suppliers know the exact sources of their plant materials. Information on where plants are nursery-grown or field-dug should be available.

For field collected specimens, environmentally sound collection techniques should be used and permission of the land owner obtained. Rare plants should never be collected from the wild.

Field-dug specimens should be "heeled in." (This means allowing plants to acclimate for a period of time before selling and replanting.)

4. Use Texas-Grown plants if possible.

This cuts down transportation costs and increases the viability of plant materials.

The Texas Department of Agriculture has a consumer awareness program which labels plants "Texas Grown" with a special tag. Look for these tags and ask for Texas Grown plants when ordering plants.

A list of plants suitable to our climatic region can be obtained from the City of Austin Water Conservation Program in the Environmental and Conservation Services Department or the Agricultural Extension Service. See Resource section.

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