Drought Tolerant Garden
Purpose
The garden is intended to provide an aesthetically pleasing presentation of plants which are able to tolerate drought conditions.Habitat
The garden features five beds separated by gravel-edged stone pathways.The five beds are built on land which is terraced on a north to south slope, thereby providing for level planting areas - although the land itself has a substantial gradient. As such, the south end is not subject to accumulated water draining from the upper level.
The entire garden is exposed to full sunlight, with the exception of a narrow band on the east side which is partially shaded by a boundary privet hedge.
The soil in the garden was amended prior to planting by adding a quantity of grit. The entire area was then covered with landscape cloth and mulched with a minimum 5 cm of gravel.
Plants are established by insertion through slashes made in the landscape cloth. In addition, some containers are used, particularly for vulnerable plants such as cacti.
Watering is by irrigation system. During 2003 watering was 15 minutes per week.
History
The garden was designed by Peter Symcox and Lee Stempski and constructed and planted in July and August 2003 by staff and students of the Pacific Horticulture College.Gardening activities were restricted to general maintenance and observation from September 2003 to Spring 2004.
Features
The drought tolerant garden seeks to provide examples of several plant families, from trees and shrubs to perennials and annuals.A variety of plants traditionally considered to be drought tolerant are featured, such as cacti, succulents and hardy Mediterranean herbs.
In addition are plants normally more associated with moist conditions, such as Achillea, Bellamcanda and Diascia, are also included for experimental purposes.
By the same token, the garden presents plants requiring fertile soil, or poor soil, or gritty soil, all in the same locale.
During the garden's first year the summer was hot and dry. Most of the plants thrived in this climate irrespective of individual moisture or soil requirements.
The summer was followed by a very wet and frosty winter, during which several plants died, in particular the cacti and sedum.
One of the challenges for a drought tolerant garden in Victoria will be to foster plants which can survive with virtually no water in the summer and excessive water and frost in the winter.
During 2004 experimentation will be made with additional plants and also with greater use of containers where plants need more care in the winter.