naturallivingalliance.myfreeforum.org

admin · Posted: Sat Jun 23, 2007 8:17 pm Post subject: Xeriscaping information

While I was posting the article in the biodiesel forum, I realized that Wikipedia probably had some information on Xeriscaping. And indeed they do:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xeriscaping

We are waiting for our local Xeriscaping expert to post an article; she said one is coming.

We all need to look at water issues. We've taken for granted that we have plenty of water in Florida, but as they build more houses, more people use more water, and our water resources will be strained (no pun intended).

NanC · Posted: Sun Jul 08, 2007 5:30 am Post subject: FL Xeriscape Plants

Two year experience: Firespike (red blossoms) and Plumbago (blue) do very well as xeriscape plants in my yard, and both were just a cane stuck in the ground with no bed preparation. Yaupon Holly, and Cherry Laurel, Elderberry and Oakleaf Hydrangea (white) are three shrubs that are Florida natives. Passionflower and Scarlet or Golden Milkweed are also good xeriscape choices. All these attract buttterflies. Beautyberry (purple) and Shrimp plant (orangish red and white) and Poke Weed (small pink--grows very fast each Spring, dies back to ground each Winter) like shade. Lantana and Penta seem to tolerate draught very well in my yard, too. Palmettos are made to even thrive through occasional fire and provide tons of wildlife support. And of course, oak trees are a jungle of habitat support too. Pine trees give great acidic soil conditions for azalea, blueberries, and blackberries. Camphor trees attract swallowtails. If citrus is planted, it hosts Giant Swallowtail larvae and passionflower hosts the Florida State Butterfly, the Zebra Longwing.
NanC