Nationwide, Americans use more than seven billion gallons of water per day to water lawns and gardens. That’s enough water to fill more than 10,700 Olympic-sized swimming pools! Look for drought-tolerant plants to help reduce your outdoor water use.
Water Guzzlers: Plants with dark, glossy, large leaves tend to require more water because more leaf surface area results in greater heat absorption and water loss. Tropical plants with soft, fleshy trunks also require lots of water because they usually have high water content – the banana tree is 90 percent water!
Water Savers: Look for native plants with small light-colored or silvery leaves and a hairy texture. These plants generally hold on to water and reflect light. Good choices include rosemary, lambs ear and lavender. Also try to choose perennial plants (plants that live for several seasons) rather than annuals. Perennials generally grow longer and deeper root systems that can better withstand drought conditions.
View the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center’s Recommended Native Plants List for Washington: www.wildflower.org/collections/collection.php?collection=WA.
Seasons: Spring, Summer
(Sources: National Geographic Green Guide. “Plants that will suck your yard dry.” http://www.thegreenguide.com/home-garden/garden/drought-resistant-plant; EPA WaterSense program. www.epa.gov/watersense)
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