A Water-Wise

Like many Central Oregonians, I had both selfish and altruistic reasons for ripping out the sad strip of grass between my curb and sidewalk and replacing it with native plants. The thin stripe of sod guzzled water and required more maintenance than anything else in the yard. And, despite watering, fertilizing, and mowing, the grass remained a sickly shade of green. My altruistic motivation was to use less water and become a better a steward of the land. More selfishly, I wanted to do less mowing and more playing. Many people are considering xeriscaping, landscaping with an eye toward reducing water use, for similar, equally valid reasons — both to create sustainable landscapes and to minimize yard work.

“Central Oregon is a lifestyle change,” said Chris Hart-Henderson, owner and landscape designer for Heart Springs Landscape Design, LLC. “People want to play outside. A water-wise yard allows them to live lighter on the planet and more simply. They can free themselves up from the usual chores associated with landscaping.”

The good news is that you can reduce water use and still have a beautiful yard. And, you can be just as successful whether you start from scratch or retrofit an established yard. You can also revamp your yard in one fell swoop or work on it in phases, making the transition as your time and budget allow.

Bend-area homeowner Susan Klarquist used Hart-Henderson’s expertise to help her develop a low-maintenance yard that will use less water each year as her native plants get established. Klarquist admits that the yard initially looked a little barren, because native plants do better when started in a small size. One year later, her plants are thriving and Karlquist is pleased with the results.

“We are impressed with how everything is growing,” Klarquist said. “We love the diversity of plants. Our yellow buckwheat is especially happy.”

To help give xeriscaped areas a more lush look, Hart-Henderson pairs native plants with what she calls native look-alikes.

“They grow quickly and are adaptable, stellar performers” she said. “These plants satisfy the homeowner’s initial craving to see plants in the ground.”

Catmint, a leafy perennial with showy purple flowers, is one of Hart-Henderson’s favorite non-natives.

“It’s a fast-grower, adaptable to both heat and cold,” Hart-Henderson said. “The perfect plant for a brown thumb.” Other faux native front-runners are threadleaf coreopsis, moonbeam yarrow, and Russian sage.

For native plants, Oregon State University Associate Professor Amy Jo Detweiler suggests wayfaring tree viburnum (cultivar Mohican).

“It has nice year-round interest — from leaves, to flowers, to fruit. Plus it’s a really easy plant,” she said.

Hummingbird mint and penstemons are also on Detweilers list of favored flowering perennials. For a deciduous tree, Detweiler recommends the serviceberry, which is ornamental, low maintenance and disease resistant. Her favorite water-wise conifer is the vanderwolf pyramid, an attractive limber pine.

If you want to reduce water use yet retain some turf for your kids or dogs, choose native or drought-tolerant grasses and take steps to make your lawn more water friendly.

“Use core aeration to break up thatch in your lawn, then apply a very fine compost over it. The compost will fill the holes, feeding the soil and increasing its water-holding capacity. You’ll be able to reduce your water use. It can work wonders,” Detweiler said. Then, balance out your water-intensive grass areas with more drought-tolerant plants, for a yard that is inviting without being wasteful.

When you do water, the garden-hose is still the most efficient method, because you can adjust the amount of water for each plant based on the needs of individual plants and the weather. However, most homeowners will want the convenience of an automatic irrigation system. If you choose this route, there are several ways you can minimize water waste.

First, divide your yard into ‘zones’ based on the water requirements of your plantings. Lawns do best with low pressure, low-angle sprinklers while trees, shrubs, and perennials are best served by drip systems, bubblers, and micro-sprays.

“Be cautious when designing drip irrigation,” Detweiler said. “You need to make sure the plant’s entire root area is covered, providing even, consistent moisture to the root zone.” Central Oregon’s sandy soils do not draw water horizontally, like clay and other soils. So, as your plants grow larger, expand your drippers to keep up with their size. Otherwise, plants will develop drought shock, making them vulnerable to insects and disease.

Also remember to adjust your irrigation system seasonally, decreasing water use in the spring and fall when plants need less watering. You can also install a rain shut-off device to avoid watering when Mother Nature does the job for you.

You can further maximize water use by incorporating organic material as you put plants in the ground to improve the soil’s water retention. A topping of mulch can help to keep the soil cooler and minimize evaporation. Mulch has the added benefit of reducing weeds and preventing erosion.

As you design your yard, consider using rock to create dry riverbeds that emulate water features without the water. Get creative designing false stream beds and inviting ponds. Rock gardens are another way to add interest and a great place to tuck groundcover, flowering plants and low-water succulents. Rocks add a beauty of their own and are maintenance-free year-round.

Before you jump into xeriscaping with both feet, make use of the many resources available. Local nurseries carry native plants and their staff can help you choose plants and give tips on how to care for them. You can also work with a landscape architect who specializes in sustainability to help you make smart plant and irrigation choices.

If you’re willing to do a little research, you can easily makeover your yard yourself. Oregon State University’s continuing education program offers water-wise landscape classes for both homeowners and landscape professionals. Their “Introduction to Xeriscaping in the High Desert,” publication can be downloaded at extension.oregonstate.edu.

No matter what motivates you, using plants that embrace the beauty and climate of Central Oregon is a reward in itself. The savings in time and resources will make your efforts all the more satisfying.