Page 6 - Landscape SA 104

WATER WISE LANDSCAPES

Landscaping

with succulents

Succulents are low or no water use plants that have thick fleshy leaves and stems with
the ability to adjust moisture levels during dry or poor conditions. Most succulents
reduce their water loss through transpiration with the formation of waxy leaves.

South Africa is in the midst of a water crisis, one which will only Succulents are able to adapt to seasonal changes quite
get worse unless we all start focusing on reducing our demand effectively and sometimes show red and orange highlights on
for water. Have you considered how to ensure your gardens and their leaves in response to these changes.
landscapes, as well a those of your clients, are water wise?
The adaptive mechanisms used by many succulents has
One of the solutions to maintaining a successful low water resulted in an incredible variety of interesting leaf forms and
use garden lies with the humble succulent. Succulents use plant shapes, including paddle leaves, tight rosettes, and bushy
very little water but can also save you time and money. They or trailing columns of teardrop leaves. In South Africa, we have
can be almost maintenance-free but provide a wide variety many species that fall within these categories, such as Bulbine,
of distinctive shapes, colours, and sizes to suit any garden or Carpobrotus, Aloes, Crassula, and Delosperma.
landscape. Also, if you or your clients are the travelling types,
succulents will put your mind at ease, as they require very little For more information on the care and maintenance of
care. indigenous succulents, visit the
Water Wise website, or have a look
By using succulents in your garden you can ensure that your at the resources on offer by the
garden remains green and colourful all year round. In fact, South African National Biodiversity
there are many indigenous aloes that flower specifically during Institute (SANBI).
the dry and cold winter periods.

www.randwater.co.za and click on the Water Wise logo
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON WATER WISE, PLEASE CONTACT US ON: 0860 10 10 60
4 Landscape SA • Issue 104 2021