Save every drop so we have water to live

Importance of water

Photo: Contributed

Xeriscape can be dramatic and colourful, lush and beautiful, all while conserving water.

Our stunning Okanagan Valley, with its sparkling lakes and semi-arid climate, faces an increasingly-precarious water future.

Despite being surrounded by what appears to be abundant water, the Okanagan Basin is among Canada’s most water-stressed regions. Its residents use more than twice the national average of water per capita. As climate change intensifies and population growth continues, a fundamental shift in our relationship with water is essential.

The Okanagan's unique challenges stem from its geography and climate. While visitors marvel at expansive lakes, the reality is more complex as our region receives far less annual precipitation than the nearby “Wet Coast.”

Our watershed must support agriculture, tourism,and growing communities, creating intense competition for a finite resource. During summer months, when water demand peaks for both residential and agricultural use, supply dwindles as the snowpack diminishes, storage reservoirs dry up and temperatures skyrocket.

Climate models predict longer, hotter summers, reduced snowpack and more variable precipitation patterns, threatening water security. The window for proactive adaptation is narrowing. That is where xeriscaping enters as a powerful solution.

Far from the misconception of sterile rock and gravel gardens, xeriscaping is the art of creating vibrant, low-water landscapes adapted to local conditions. The approach embraces seven principles—thoughtful planning and design, soil improvement, efficient irrigation, appropriate plant selection, mulching, limited turf areas and proper maintenance.

The benefits extend well beyond water conservation. A well-designed xeriscape can reduce outdoor water use between 50% and 75%, delivering immediate savings on water bills.

Xeric landscapes require less maintenance, so you can say goodbye to weekends previously spent mowing, fertilizing and fighting weeds. Native and drought-tolerant plants establish deeper root systems, creating resilience against both drought and disease. They also enhance local biodiversity by providing habitat for pollinators and birds.

In some jurisdictions, such as Kelowna, financial incentives make the transition even more appealing. Many Okanagan municipalities offer rebates for removing thirsty cedar hedges and installing water-efficient landscapes.

The initial investment typically pays for itself within a few years through reduced water bills and maintenance costs.

The aesthetic possibilities are boundless. Drought-tolerant perennials like Lavandula angustifolia (English Lavender), Salvia nemorosa “Caradonna” (Perennial Sage) and Achillea millefolium (Yarrow) offer stunning and colourful blooms and textures

Native grasses can provide movement and winter interest planted amongst carefully-placed boulders and decorative gravels, which can add structure and visual appeal year-round. A thoughtfully-designed xeriscape garden evolves through the seasons, offering changing colours and textures while maintaining water efficiency.

The Okanagan Basin Water Board and local governments support the Okanagan Xeriscape Association’s workshops, demonstration gardens and a website crammed with information in blogs and articles, with photos, to help you transition to xeriscape. It includes an extensive, searchable plant database of hundreds of drought-tolerant, climate-resilient plants.

Local nurseries increasingly highlight native and drought-tolerant options. The transition can begin small—perhaps replace a portion of lawn with a water-wise garden bed, then expand as your confidence grows.

As we face climate uncertainty, water conservation becomes not just an environmental choice but a community responsibility. When Okanagan residents collectively reduce water consumption, they contribute to long-term water security for agriculture, which remains an integral part of our economy and our lives. They also help to maintain adequate environmental flows in streams and rivers, protecting fish species and reducing pressure on infrastructure, potentially avoiding costly upgrades to water treatment and delivery systems.

Xeriscaping represents more than a landscaping trend but is more a philosophical shift in how we inhabit this remarkable valley. It acknowledges that true stewardship means adapting our preferences to ecological realities rather than forcing inappropriate landscapes into our environment. It recognizes that sustainability and aesthetics can— and should—harmoniously coexist.

The Okanagan’s future water security will be determined by choices made today. By embracing the principles of xeriscape and water conservation, residents can ensure that the valley’s lakes and streams continue to define this special region for generations to come. Each drop saved is an investment in a more-resilient, sustainable future where the Okanagan’s natural splendour remains its defining characteristic rather than a memory of what once was.

Interested in beginning your xeriscape journey? Visit the OXA’s plant sale May 10 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 840 Old Vernon Road in Kelowna. We will have a member’s-only pre-sale on Friday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., so consider becoming a member for this and other valuable benefits outlined at okanaganxeriscape.org.

We will have Xen and Wild Bloom Nursery in attendance with master gardeners on site to field your gardening questions. As in years past, OXA will represent the Make Water Work campaign at nurseries throughout the Okanagan Valley in the coming months, so watch for it next at Sandhu Nursery in Osoyoos May 18.

The Okanagan Xeriscape Association is grateful for the ongoing financial support of the Okanagan Basin Water Board and is proud to be collaborating on the Make Water Work campaign. Check out the Make Water Work plant list at www.makewaterwork.ca.

Sigrie Kendrick is a master gardener and executive-director of the non-profit Okanagan Xeriscape Association.

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.

Drought-defying beauty: Three red perennials for the water-wise garden

Put your garden in the red

Photo: Contributed

Echinacea "Red Ombre" is a dramatic new red perennial that is very drought-tolerant and will be available at OXA’s spring plant sale May 10.

We all have favourite colours, even though all colours are favourites in garden flowers and they all “go together” like nowhere else.

One of my favourites is red. We will have three stunning red perennials available for purchase at the Okanagan Xeriscape Association’s upcoming annual spring plant sale—Penstemon “Riding Hood Red,” Achillea “New Vintage Red,” and Echinacea “Red Ombre.”

These perennials offer gardeners a perfect combination of drought-tolerance and vibrant colour that can transform any water-conscious landscape from ho-hum to spectacular.

Penstemon is a North American native plant often called Beardtongue, but it’s usually purple. This has been cultivated into the spectacular “Riding Hood Red” variety that brings dramatic crimson tubular blooms to the garden from late spring through summer.

Growing 24 inches to 30 inches tall with a compact habit, this cultivar produces a profusion of ruby-red flowers on sturdy stems above glossy, lance-shaped foliage.

What makes “Riding Hood Red” exceptional is its remarkable drought tolerance once established. Its deep taproot system efficiently mines soil moisture, allowing it to thrive in poor, rocky soils where many other perennials struggle.

This extensive root system also provides excellent erosion control on slopes and banks. Hummingbirds find the tubular blooms irresistible, creating a garden that’s not just water-wise but bird-friendly.

The deer-resistant quality of penstemons adds further appeal for those of us dealing with deer pressure. “Riding Hood Red” requires little maintenance beyond cutting back spent flower stalks to encourage re-blooming and a late winter trim of dead foliage.

Yarrow or Achillea has long been a staple of water-conscious gardens, but Achillea “New Vintage Red” elevates this humble plant to garden star status.

This compact yarrow reaches just 12 inches to 14 inches tall, making it perfect for front-of-border placement where its rich ruby-red flat-topped flower clusters create a striking visual statement from early to mid-summer

The “New Vintage Red” cultivar maintains the legendary drought tolerance of its species while improving upon flowering intensity and colour retention. Unlike older red yarrow varieties that quickly fade to pink, this selection holds its deep red hue throughout its blooming period.

The feathery, aromatic foliage of this Achillea serves multiple purposes in the xeric garden. Its finely divided, fernlike leaves minimize water loss through evaporation while creating an attractive silver-green ground cover that naturally suppresses weeds.

The plant’s extensive but shallow root system makes it exceptional at harvesting even minimal rainfall, while its ability to spread gradually helps maintain soil moisture by reducing exposed soil.

Pollinators, especially native bees and butterflies, flock to the umbel blooms, and as an added bonus, the flowers dry beautifully on the plant, extending visual interest well into fall.

And then there’s the Echinacea. This striking coneflower variety represents the cutting edge of Echinacea breeding. “Red Ombre” produces large, daisy-like flowers with a gradient of colour in each flower head: intense red petals that fade to softer berry tones toward their tips, creating a dimensional colour effect that appears to shift throughout the day as light conditions change.

Growing 18 inches to 24 inches tall with strong, upright stems, “Red Ombre” blooms prolifically from midsummer into early fall.

Its drought tolerance comes from the impressive taproot that characterizes all coneflowers, allowing it to access deep soil moisture even during extended dry periods. While this cultivar may require slightly more water during its establishment than the other two plants discussed, once established it displays remarkable resilience during drought.

The stiff, slightly-hairy foliage reduces water loss through transpiration, and its native prairie genetics make it well-adapted to harsh conditions found here in the Okanagan, including intense heat, cold, and poor soils.

Beyond its water-wise properties, ‘Red Ombre’ offers exceptional habitat value. Butterflies and bees visit the flowers during bloom time, while birds flock to the seed heads in fall and winter if the spent flower heads are left on the plant.

These three red-flowering perennials demonstrate that xeric gardening need not sacrifice beauty or impact.

By combining different bloom times, Penstemon in late spring, Achillea in early summer, and Echinacea in mid to late summer, gardeners can create a succession of red blooms that provide continuous colour, while using minimal water resources.

Their varied heights, textures, and forms work together to create a drought-resistant garden that’s as visually compelling as it is ecologically sound.

Visit our plant database on our website at www.okanaganxeriscape.org for information on other species that flourish in areas of hot afternoon sun and poor soil.

As in years past, OXA will represent the Make Water Work campaign at nurseries throughout the Okanagan Valley and in the coming weeks will be onsite to answer any of your gardening and xeriscaping questions.

Mark your calendar to attend OXA’s plant sale May 10 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 840 Old Vernon Road in Kelowna. We will hold a member’s only pre-sale on Friday, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., so consider becoming a member for this and other valuable benefits outlined on our website.

The Okanagan Xeriscape Association is grateful for the ongoing financial support of the Okanagan Basin Water Board and is proud to collaborate on the Make Water Work campaign. Check out its Make Water Work plant list at www.makewaterwork.ca.

Sigrie Kendrick is a master gardener and executive-director of the Okanagan Xeriscape Association.

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.

Plants that thrive in the shadows: Conquering the challenges of dry shade gardening

Made in the shade

Photo: Contributed

A shade-loving, drought-tolerant perennial to be offered at the OXA spring plant sale is this dramatic Aralia cordata 'Sun King' (Japanese spikenard).

Finding plants that thrive in dry shade is one of gardening's most formidable challenges.

These difficult spots are often located beneath mature trees or along north-facing walls or fences and present a double handicap. Not only do these areas receive minimal sunlight but plants must often compete for precious moisture. Yet, with careful selection of adaptable plants, even these challenging areas can become garden highlights.

The difficulties of dry shade gardening start with photosynthesis itself. Plants need light to manufacture food, and those receiving less must adapt their growth patterns accordingly. Many shade-loving plants evolved in woodland settings with naturally moist soil that offsets reduced light. But in dry shade, plants face not only minimal sunlight but also fierce root competition from established trees and shrubs that greedily siphon available moisture.

Beneath trees the dense canopy above may prevent rainfall from reaching the ground, while established root systems quickly absorb what little moisture does arrive. The resulting environment challenges even experienced gardeners.

Successful dry shade gardening requires both proper preparation and careful plant selection

Amending your soil with organic matter improves moisture retention and soil structure. Regular mulching helps maintain moisture levels, while occasional deep watering during establishment gives plants their best chance at success.

Included in our upcoming Okanagan Xeriscape Association spring plant sale will be three remarkable cultivars, which have proven their worth in conquering these difficult conditions. Each brings unique attributes that allow them to not merely survive but flourish where others fail.

Polemonium pulcherrimum “Golden Feathers” (Jacob’s ladder) stands out with its striking foliage featuring finely divided, ferny leaves in brilliant variegated gold that brighten even the darkest corners. This cultivar reaches a modest eight to 10 inches tall, with a width up to 14 inches, making it perfect for edging or in container plantings.

In late spring, delicate purple flowers rise above the foliage, creating a stunning contrast with the golden leaves. Polemonium “Golden Feathers” is hardy in Zones 5 to 9.

What makes “Golden Feathers” exceptional for dry shade is its remarkable drought tolerance once established, combined with a preference for partial to full shade. Unlike many golden-leaved plants that scorch in direct sunlight, it maintains its vibrant colour without fading throughout the growing season.

The herbaceous perennial Heuchera sanguinea “Snow Angel” (Coral bells or Alumroot) offers season-round interest. Its heart-shaped foliage with light green leaves is dramatically speckled with creamy white variegation.

This Heuchera variety forms an attractive mound, approximately 12 inches tall and wide and is zonally appropriate for planting in the Okanagan.

In early summer, slender stems rise above the foliage, carrying delicate pink bell-shaped flowers that are favoured by hummingbirds but seldom nibbled by deer. The flowers of Heuchera “Snow Angel” make an interesting cut flower with a long vase life.

“Snow Angel” succeeds in dry shade thanks to its adaptable nature and shallow root system that can capture surface moisture before it evaporates. The thick, leathery leaves reduce transpiration, conserving precious water reserves during drought periods. This cultivar demonstrates reliable drought tolerance once established and thrives in a wide range of soils.

Perhaps most impressive is Aralia cordata “Sun King” (Japanese spikenard), a bold architectural plant that brings tropical drama to shaded areas. This Japanese spikenard cultivar features compound leaves in luminous gold that seem to glow in dim light.

Growing four or more feet tall and wide, it creates dramatic structure and should be located in the middle or back of your shade border. In middle to late summer, tiny white blooms appear, followed by dark purple inedible berries.

The flowers of Aralia “Sun King” are attractive to bees and other pollinators with the foliage unappealing to deer. “Sun King” was awarded 2020 Perennial Plant of the Year by the Perennial Plant Association.

“Sun King” conquers dry shade through several adaptations. Its extensive root system can access deeper water sources beyond the reach of competitors and the large leaves efficiently capture available light.

Despite its tropical appearance, this perennial demonstrates surprising drought tolerance once established, requiring only occasional supplemental watering when grown in a shady location.

These three exceptional cultivars demonstrate that dry shade locations needn't remain a garden wasteland. With thoughtful plant selection and proper care during establishment, even these challenging areas can be transformed into vibrant, textured spaces that contribute to the garden's overall beauty.

By embracing these adapted plants, gardeners can convert previously problematic areas into new opportunities for creative expression.

Visit our plant database on our website at okanaganxeriscape.org for information about other species that flourish in areas of dry shade.

•••

• As in years past, OXA will represent the Make Water Work campaign at nurseries throughout the Okanagan Valley and will be onsite to answer any of your gardening and xeriscaping questions.

• Mark your calendar for OXA’s plant sale on May 10 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at 840 Old Vernon Road. We will be having a member-only pre-sale on Friday, so consider becoming a member for this and other valuable benefits outlined on our website.

• The Okanagan Xeriscape Association is grateful for the ongoing financial support of the Okanagan Basin Water Board and is proud to be collaborating on the Make Water Work campaign. Check out the Make Water Work plant list at makewaterwork.ca.

Sigrie Kendrick is a master gardener and executive-director of the Okanagan Xeriscape Association.

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.

Welcome to spring and a new gardening season

Start to spring in the garden

Photo: Judie Steeves

Pycnanthemum "Smokey Mountain"

The Okanagan Xeriscape Association celebrated the official start to spring with the first Dig with Sig volunteer event recently in the greenhouse, as we began potting-up plants for our upcoming plant sale.

Spring is an exciting time for gardeners and our annual spring plant sale is a highlight of the season.

I’d like to describe some of the new cultivars which will be available for purchase at our May 10 sale. Three outstanding perennials recently potted up include: Anacyclus “Silver Kisses”, Pycnanthemum “Smokey Mountain”, and Oenothera “Twilight”. All deserve special attention for their remarkable drought-tolerance and beauty. These plants offer gardeners resilient options that thrive with minimal irrigation while providing both visual interest and ecological benefits.

Anacyclus “Silver Kisses”, a member of the daisy family, has emerged as a must-have ground cover for water-wise landscapes. Its finely dissected, silvery-gray foliage creates a striking carpet-like appearance that remains attractive even when not in bloom. The delicate, ferny texture provides excellent contrast to bolder plants in the garden.

Come spring, this Mediterranean native bursts into flower, producing an abundance of white daisy-like blooms with distinctive red undersides. These cheerful flowers hover just above the foliage, creating a floating effect that attracts pollinators while requiring minimal moisture. Its silvery foliage isn’t just ornamental, but is a drought adaptation that reflects sunlight and reduces water loss.

A deep taproot allows Anacyclus “Silver Kisses” to access moisture far below the soil surface, making it remarkably resilient during extended dry periods. Once established, this perennial requires very little supplemental irrigation. Anacyclus “Silver Kisses” tolerates poor, rocky soils and thrives in heat that would wither less adaptable plants.

Its compact growth habit, reaching two to four inches tall, with a spread of 12 to 18 inches, makes it perfect for rock gardens, border edges and container plantings where irrigation may be limited.

Pycnanthemum “Smokey Mountain”, commonly called “mountain mint,” delivers unexpected drought tolerance from a genus typically associated with moisture-loving plants.

This North American native combines the aromatic qualities of the mint family with remarkable heat and drought resilience.

The Smokey Mountain cultivar produces silvery bracts that surround tiny white flowers, creating a misty, smoky effect in the garden from midsummer through fall. This perennial reaches 24-36 inches tall, forming an upright, bushy clump that requires no staking despite its height.

What makes this perennial exceptional for xeric landscapes is its adaptability. Once established, the deep root system efficiently utilizes available soil moisture, allowing it to sail through dry periods that would stress many other plants

Its aromatic foliage contains natural oils that reduce water loss, and simultaneously deters deer while attracting beneficial insects.

Gardeners will appreciate that unlike its mint relatives, Smokey Mountain is well-behaved in the landscape, forming tidy clumps rather than aggressively spreading.

This self-sufficient perennial thrives with minimal care in full sun to partial shade, making it versatile for various garden locations where irrigation might be limited.

Oenothera “Twilight”, a selection of evening primrose, brings dramatic twilight displays to any water-wise garden.

As dusk approaches, its satiny lavender-pink blooms unfurl in a fascinating display that continues throughout summer into early fall.

The drought tolerance of Twilight evolves from its heritage in the American Southwest. Its slightly succulent leaves store moisture, while a substantial taproot searches deeply for available water.

This perennial typically reaches 12 to 18 inches tall and wide and possesses exceptional heat tolerance, performing better during hot, dry spells than in cool, wet conditions.

Its drought adaptations include a reduced leaf surface that minimizes transpiration and specialized cell structures that efficiently store water.

Beyond water conservation benefits, Twilight adds wildlife value to the xeric garden as its nectar-rich flowers attract pollinating moths, filling an ecological niche often overlooked in garden planning favouring butterfly gardens.

These three exceptional perennials demonstrate that water-wise gardening needn’t mean sacrificing beauty or garden performance.

By incorporating Anacyclus “Silver Kisses”, Pycnanthemum “Smokey Mountain”, and Oenothera “Twilight” into the landscape, gardeners can create resilient, ecologically-responsible gardens that thrive through challenging conditions, all while delighting the senses.

Visit our website at okanaganxeriscape.org for information about where you can next meet up with representatives of the Okanagan Xeriscape Association. As in years past, we will be representing the Make Water Work campaign at nurseries up and down the Okanagan Valley and will be onsite to answer any of your gardening and xeriscaping questions.

Mark your calendar for OXA’s plant sale May 10 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at 840 Old Vernon Road. We will host a member’s-only pre-sale on Friday, so consider becoming a member for this and other valuable benefits, as outlined on our website.

The Okanagan Xeriscape Association is grateful for the ongoing financial support of the Okanagan Basin Water Board and is proud to be collaborating on the Make Water Work campaign. Check out its Make Water Work plant list at makewaterwork.ca.

Sigrie Kendrick is a master gardener and executive-director of the Okanagan Xeriscape Association.

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.