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Plant Life By Valerie Easton
The Few, The BraveStalwarts, they took the heat and kept on going
A PLANT'S THIRSTINESS determines its place in the pecking order of popularity these days. In our rush to be eco-gardeners, everyone's first question seems to be, "But is it drought tolerant?" Remember when we used to ponder clarity of color, foliage texture, fragrance? All those sensory attributes are now secondary to a plant's ability to withstand weeks and weeks of relentlessly clear skies and sunshine. Can you tell I grew up in Seattle, a connoisseur of misty, gray days? Drought tolerance is a label no more exact than climate zone numbers, and much influenced by soil and aspect. Is a plant subject to wind or reflected sunlight, both of which increase its need for supplementary water? Does your soil retain water or drain freely? Is the plant in full sun all day or refreshed by afternoon shade? No matter how self-sufficient a plant may grow up to be, it starts out no more able to fend for itself than a young child. Both need plenty of attention at the beginning. I've received many questions from readers flabbergasted when neglected plants shrivel up and die after months without a drink of water. What went wrong? They'd expected these now deceased plants to be bulletproof, to perform without nurture from the get-go. Remember that the drought-tolerant catchphrase might be considered the plant-world equivalent of "Just do it." The troupers we salute Shrubs and trees: The evergreen Pernettya mucronata with its bell-shaped flowers, rock roses (Cistus and Helianthemum sp.), spireas, hardy fuchsias, rugosa roses, grevilleas and abelias. I've had reports that all kinds of ceanothus carried on, despite some yellowing of leaves. Rosemary and lavender withstood the drought well, as did our native huckleberries, vine maple and snowberry. One gardener raved, "Osmanthus looks fresh as a daisy and sprawling with nary a drop of water all summer." California barberry (Mahonia pinnata 'Ken Howard') and vine hill manzanita (Arctostaphylos densiflora 'Sunset') combine handsome evergreen foliage with drought tolerance. All the smoke bushes persevered. Heaths and heathers that did especially well were Calluna vulgaris 'Firefly' and Erica x darleyensis 'Mary Helen.' Perennials: Along with sedum, agapanthus topped several lists. Hardy geraniums, especially the rambling, purple-flowered 'Anne Folkard,' seemed drought-proof, though some were pretty tattered by September. How many plants can be described as looking "choice" in late August, yet that's the word chosen by one gardener for the tall, sword-shaped leaves of Eryngium pandanifolium. Sneezeweed (Helenium ssp) and Lobelia tupa were long-flowering, as were abutilons, which have flowers resembling hybiscus and are borderline tender. Thanks to Stacie Crooks, Daniel J. Hinkley, David Laskin, Linda McDonald and Lee Neff for sharing their experiences and expertise. One good thing about this dry summer is the clarity it's brought to the discussion. With little or no rain from the end of June until nearly the last day of August, and precious little then, un-thirsty plants are clearly called out. My Whidbey garden is a good test, because no plant has been in the ground longer than 18 months. I do water, but sparingly. I'm impressed by the durability of Loropetulum chinense, a burgundy-leafed shrub so lovely I expected it to be thirsty. Also, the groundcover ajuga remained robust and glossy in a dry, sunny spot. And I couldn't believe Daphne x transatlantica 'Summer Ice,' which cools the garden with white variegation while wafting fragrance from its tiny, starry flowers. This shrub never faltered all summer and last year bloomed until Thanksgiving. But while my many carexes kept on going, other gardeners despaired over them. Just goes to show that despite the hype, drought tolerance often comes down to thoughtful cultural practices and that reliable old mantra of "right plant, right place." Valerie Easton is a Seattle freelance writer. Her e-mail address is valeaston@comcast.net.
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