In Greek, xeros means dry, so xeriscape have a meaning as garden that requires very minimum water.
Ideally, xeriscape gardens still need water, although far fewer in number than the garden generally. Plants that used were also native plants that still living in an area, lets say area that has a normal rainfall.
Here’s a short tips for make xeriscape garden successfully:
1. Recognize the characteristic of the garden area
Spend some time to observe the existing areas. How do climatic conditions in the area, how dry and how the source of water for its watering. Imagine if certain plants are in the area. Imagine all the activities that can be done in the garden, including maintenance activities. Determine the design in accordance with the needs and potentials.
2. Perform soil improvement
There are places that are too hot and there is shaded places. There are also soils that will flood by water in a long time, whether it was flooded by rain water or by waste water of watering garden. Perform soil drainage improvement by make an appropriate drainage system. It’s also important to see whether the addition of compost on the soil surface can inhibit evaporation of water and increase soil fertility.
3. Choose plants that require less water than usual
Types of plants is not limited to the cactus plant or succulent plants, but also can be used in other types of plants that require less water than other types. The main requirement in the selection of plants is the type of plants that local or still grows in the surrounding environment.
And the existence of the garden can be combined with the type of garden in general that require more water as long as we can harmonized its design compatibility between the two.
The types of plants that may be used include: Groundcover types: Aloe sp., Lantana sp., Plumbago zeylanica, Zamia furfuraceae, and others. Types of Shrubs: Euphorbia sp.; Sansevieria sp.; Adenium sp.; Agave spp.; Alamanda schotti; Gardenia volkensii; Hibiscus sp.; Kalanchoe spp.; Jasminum sambac; Nolina recurvata; Portulacaria Afra, Plumbago auriculata, Nerium oleander, and other . Tree Species: Bauhinia sp; Caesalpinia pulcherrima; Dracaena sp; Ficus carica, Ficus macrophylla, Ficus palmeri; Ipomea arborescens; Morinda citrifolia; Delonix regia, Erythrina sp.; Casuarina equiseifolia, and others.
4. Carefully place and create an area of grass
How and where the grass was placed in a garden may significantly reduce the amount of water required at the time of irrigation. The presence of grass also requires more water and maintenance activities of the other plant species. But if we do a grouping of grass may also improve the efficiency of water use a watering routine. And do not forget, choose the type of grass that are resistant to sandy or solid condition and drought in the long term.
5. Use other types of garden elements
Another element that can be used are ornamental sand or gravel for dry garden, or a variety of ornamental rock garden, both serve as steps stone, tumbled stone, and others. There are no restrictions in the choice of elements other than plants. As long as they do not require much water and still be able to drain the water as well as may inhibit evaporation of water from the soil, the type of element can be used.
6. Perform proper maintenance
Appropriate maintenance activities include watering precise and efficient, manage schedules and how long the watering, mulching, organic fertilizers, and other. An objective to be achieved is a garden condition that remains lush but clean.
