Page 55 - Intra Muros September Issue 2025

GARDENING

Guidelines to successful xeriscaping
Follow these points to create a modern, environmentally
sustainable and low-maintenance garden feature or
entrance:
• Begin by deciding on the look and theme you want, and Xeriscaping - reduced water usage
then assess the current plants in your garden. Remove
thirsty plants and keep the drought-hardy, xeric ones. Xeriscaping explained as reduced leaf size, far-ranging or
• Decide on a focal point and see which existing pots or Pronounced zeer-e-skay-ping, this deep root systems for penetrating
features will work with the new design. Keep it simple creative gardening technique is soil in search of water.
and minimalistic for great impact. less of a mouthful than it sounds.
• Accessorise focal points with grinding stones, large Simply put, it is intentionally Top plant picks for
rocks, water features, pots, statues or wall art. designing a landscape to minimise xeriscaping
• Always work with height at the back and shorter watering, reduce maintenance Spekboom, Golden Sedum,
plants or décor towards the front. Go for structure and and optimise a garden’s Whale’s Tongue Agave, Jelly Bean
minimalism. seasonal longevity. A common Plant, Verbena species, Rosemary,
• Choose different structures such as wood, steel and misconception is that this method Blue Fescue grass, African Daisy,
concrete together with plants to make an impact. is all about cacti, succulents and Desert Spoon, Madagascar Palm,
• If your style is more formal, work with symmetry and gravel, but there is much more to Tree Aloe.
even numbers like twos or fours. For more informal it. Marionette Hoffman from Plant
gardens, work with odd numbers, for instance, three Paradise in Pretoria explains: “This In smaller gardens, make use
different pot heights. new ‘lock up and go’ movement of smaller xeric plants that are
• A high-quality weed guard (not plastic) is essential and encourages people to opt for this still colourful enough to make a
will contribute to moisture retention in the soil. It will style as it provides a beautiful strong impact.
also help to prevent soil erosion. garden with lots of colour but less
• Any soil covering or mulching is also a must to protect maintenance. Go for bigger pots where a
the roots of plants, help with moisture retention and mixture of succulents can be
attract insects and wildlife. Jargon check: Xeric plants are those planted for a pop of colour.
• Plant low-maintenance plants that are hardy, evergreen which have developed a number of
and remain neat in winter and summer. possible strategies for coping with *Article and photos courtesy of
low moisture environments, such Life is a Garden

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