Catharanthus roseus ? An Annual Flowering Plant That Can Save You A Lot Of Water
Posted on August 5, 2008 - Filed Under Gardening | Leave a Comment
The limiting factor in growing annual flowers in Mediterranean gardens is their high consumption of water. Catharanthus roseus, (Madagascar Periwinkle), can be grown on about a quarter of the water needed by most annuals.
One of the main drawbacks of growing annual flowering plants in Mediterranean and other dry climate regions is their excessive water consumption. Annuals in hot, dry summer areas require water based on at least 6mm a day, which is 6 liters per square meter. Over the year, this can amount to more than a cubic meter of irrigation water for every meter square ? an unviable and unacceptable rate, unless the area planted with annual flowers is reduced to a minimum. Catharanthus roseus however, can be successfully grown, creating a lovely carpet of color, on a third, perhaps a quarter of that amount, thereby saving you much water and expense.
Garden irrigation ? Why It?s So Important To Grow And Water Different Plant Groups Separately
Posted on May 1, 2008 - Filed Under Gardening | Leave a Comment
In dry climate gardens, a professional irrigation system is a pre-condition for successfully growing the garden plants and managing water responsibly. It also makes good design sense.
Effective irrigation and efficient water management are about supplying suitable quantities of water to the garden plants, at the right intervals. Both these parameters differ in accordance with various groups of plants. Trees and shrubs of tropical origin may thrive on soil conditions that are almost permanently moist, while species from dry climates invariably prefer the soil to dry out somewhat between the waterings. Herbaceous flowering plants need to be watered frequently, while under such a regime, herbs are liable to suffer from a lack of air in the root zone.