When talking about landscaping with plants that need little water, the first category that comes into mind is the shrub and its various sub-species. However, even there are several other plants that require little or no water at all. If you are a landscaping designer, you should know that each type of plant has its own requirements and hence it’s upon you to learn what each one of them wants. You also have to take into account the specific needs of the individual plant and its environment.
One such plant which requires little water is the rock roses or the rock garden. These can be potted plants as well. To begin with, they make beautiful border garden arrangements as they come in such a large variety of colors and shapes that no two rocks will ever look the same. However, they are best used when they are planted in a one foot square garden.
A desert plant is another plant that needs little water. The taller varieties like the desert plant are best planted in large, deep, wide areas while the shorter varieties like the desert poppy are best planted in small shallow containers. The flowers of the desert plant are usually small and yellow in color; while the foliage landscape of this plant is long and elegant. It should be planted in a sunny location, not directly behind a fountain or a swimming pool as the bright sunlight would burn the leaves of the plant. The best time to plant this is during the spring or late summer.
If you are planning to landscape in an area which is often subjected to different types of climate including hot and humid summers as well as droughts, then you might want to choose the best drought-tolerant plants for your landscaping needs. The plants that need little water to survive are the shrubs, vines, and ground covers. The best drought-tolerant plants for landscaping on commercial property are cacti, junipers, and ocotillo. However, you must check with your local extension office in your County or City to see what the drought status is where you live.
The plants that need little water to survive include ferns, hydrangeas, and even desert plants. The ferns can be grown in full sun or partial shade depending on whether you live in Arizona, California, or Florida and the type of ferns you have will depend on the size of your yard. Hydrangeas should be planted in full sun. Desert plants such as cacti and junipers do well in partial shade and should be planted at least three feet away from each other if you are going to use pesticides on them.
Zamioculcas are low-maintenance plants that love full sunlight and do well in drought areas. They can be planted in any area of your landscape with a little care. In full sunlight, they will reward you with blooms throughout the summer. The leaves and flower heads change colors in the fall, but return to their bright color in the spring.
The ZZ plant is a very easy plant to grow especially when given partial shade in containers. In containers, it will grow tall, due to the tubular shape of its leaves. If you give your plant enough room, it will develop a straight shape of three to four feet. It produces blooms similar to Easter lilies.
The ZZ plant is very easy to keep and loves full sunlight. If you are growing it indoors, you can prune it during the winter and thin out the middle of the year. If you are trying to grow it outdoors, you should not over water it. It does well in poor soils, especially when given rich soil. You should give your plants good soil and fertilizer at your local summerwind’s nursery.