Xeriscaping

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Xeriscaping

Details: Created on Friday, 07 December 2012 14:03

Xeriscaping

Xeriscaping is a landscaping technique aiming to reduce water usage and hence conserve water resources.

The term is a portmanteau for dry-scaping (xeros is Greek for “dry”).

It is suitable for areas that lack adequate water resources and climatic zones that are characterized by prolonged drought periods. It offers therefore an alternative way to traditional gardening which is ideal for the climatic conditions of the Cycladic islands.
The chosen plants must have low water requirements and be in harmony with the surrounding natural environment.
The choice of native plants reduces the reliance on chemical supplements and treatments. Furthermore, various techniques are used to minimize water loss through evaporation.

Xeriscaping works well on hard and rocky surfaces which can come to life by contrasting them with rich and vibrant looking plants.

Advantages

Xeriscaping helps conserve valuable water.
Protection against drought.
Minimizes need for maintenance.
Maximal exploitation of rainwater.
Xeriscapes are interesting and unusual landscapes.

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FAQ

Why did the seeds not germinate? +
The seeds may have been planted during the wrong season when conditions were not adequate. If aged seeds were used, they may have had reduced germination power. Finally, the seeds may have dehydrated or rotted as the result of insufficient or excessive watering.
What is the best time of the year for planting? +
A good time for planting is autumn, when rain is plentiful and temperatures lower. The plant has then time to develop its roots during winter and will be ready to grow well in spring. However, plants that are sensitive to cold weather (e.g. hibiscus) should be planted in spring.
When should I plant vegetables? +
During autumn and winter we plant cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, rocket salad (rucola), beets, lettuce, spinach, leeks, chicory, endives and carrots. In the spring we plant tomatoes, courgettes (zucchini), aubergines, peppers.
Which plants bloom all year round? +
While most plants bloom during a specific season, some varieties can flower longer under the right weather conditions. Some plant examples with long flowering seasons are geraniums, ivy-leaf geraniums, felicia, gaura, polygala, hibiscus, lavender, impatiens, gazania.
Which plants tolerate shade? +
Examples of plants that grow well in the shade include angelicas, pittosporum, ruscus, rhaphiolepis, ivy, as well as the flowering plants vinca and impatiens.
Which plants are wind resistant? +
Many plants that do not grow too tall and have hard leaves are resistant to wind. Examples of wind resistant plants are tamarisk, eucalyptus, araucaria, pine, angelica, atriplex, melaleuca, metrosideros, chamaerops, canary palm, washingtonia, myoporum, carissa, geraniums, pelargonium, westringia and many herb varieties like e.g. rosemary.
Which plants do not need pruning? +
Pruning is generally not necessary for slow growing plants like pittosporum, rhaphiolepis, dwarf polygala, metrosideros, phillyrea and mastic tree.
Which plants are resistant to drought? +
All plants need access to some water, especially during their early development stages when they grow their roots. Plants with low water requirements are cacti and succulents, many aromatic plants, geraniums, ivy-leaf geraniums, some grasses and several native plants like lentisk, esparto, rhamnus (buckthorn), alfalfa.
Which plants are best for hedges? +
Some hedging plants that are also suitable to the climate in Cyclades are oleander (nerium), angelica, myoporum, melaleuka, bamboo, atriplex, metrosideros, capensia.
Which plants grow well in coastal areas? +
Some examples of plants that grow well near the coast are cacti and succulents, angelica, araucaria, oleander, elaeagnus, pine, tamarisk, fig tree, mastic tree, metrosideros and carissa.