Hot & Dry Solutions

Gardening in Hot & Dry Environments

Putting it Together 

A few carefully placed shade trees will provide welcome relief from persistent sun, especially in the outdoor living areas. Boundary shrubberies or fences will help protect from hot, drying winds. 

Choose shrub and flower combinations to compliment the style and colour of the house. Use colourful perennials, annuals and ground covers to fill in and offset the intensity of blue southern hemisphere skies. Many of the structural plants such as Aloe, Agave and Yucca, now so popular, will add drama to the garden. 

Trees for Structure and Framing 

• Ash (Fraxinus) 
• Banksia
• Eucalyptus
• Gleditsia 
• Judas Tree (Cercis)
• Olives
• Silk Tree
• Thuja, Cupressus 
• Wattle (Albizzia) 

Climbers for Adding Interest 

• Bougainvillea (frost sensitive) 
• Boston Ivy & Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus) 
• Clematis armandii and hybrids 
• Honeysuckle (Lonicera) 
• Star Jasmine (Trachelospermum) 
• Stauntonia 
• Ornamental grapes (Vitis) 
• Wonga Wonga Vine (Pandorea) 

Shrubs for Screening, Background and Shelter 

• Australian Rosemary (Westringia) 
• Berberis Helmond Pillar 
• Bottle Brush (Callistemon)
• Californian Lilac (Ceanothus)
• Corokia including Geentys Green, cheesemanii, Yellow wonder
• Grevillea victoriae including G.Robin Hood, G.Robyn Gordon
• Leucadrendon, Protea
• Mint Bush (Prostanthera)
• Rock Rose (Cistus)
• Satinwood (Pheballium)
• Teucrium 
• Viburnum varieties 

Ground Covers - the Best Competition for Weeds 

Shrub groundcovers 

• Coprosma, Muehlenbeckia 
• Grevillea Bronze Rambler, G.Gaudi Chaudi 
• Manuka (Leptospermum ground covers eg Huia, Merinda, Red Falls) 
• Juniper procumbens 

Perennial ground covers 

• Agapanthus 
• Gazania 
• Grasses, Sedges and Ice Plants 
• Lamb’s Ear (Stachys) 
• Lithodora Grace Ward 
• Sedum Autumn Joy, Stardust 
• Silverbush (Convolvulus cneroum) 
• Verbena 

Perennials for Colour & Texture 

• Aloe 
• Day Lilies 
• Euphobia 
• Marguerite Daisies 
• Pelargoniums 
• Reed Grass (Calamagrostis) 
• Pride of Madeira (Echium) 
• Succulents 
• Senecio 

Annuals, Colour for Borders and Containers 

• Alyssum, Californian Poppy, Celosia 
• Calendula, Cosmos, Marigold, Nasturtium 
• Petunia, Portulaca, Shirley Poppy 
• Salvia, Sunflower, Snapdragon 
• Verbena, Zinnia 

Bulbs 

• Babiana 
• Nerine 
• Sparaxis 
• Tritonia 
• Watsonia 

Landscaping and Accessories 

Use structures to create shade for outdoor living (pergola, gazebo). A water feature with running water gives a ‘cool’ feeling to the garden. Choose pots and ornaments to complement the colourful and bold style. 

• Pots - To suit your house style - terracotta, glazed, stone. 
• Ornaments - Modern sculptures, quirky pieces, stones, driftwood. 
• Paths - Pavers, tiles, brick, timber. 
• Structures - Pergola, gazebo, barbecue 
• Boundaries - Wide shrub borders, timber, brush, or wrought iron fencing. 

When to Plant 

Autumn is the best time to plant the framework of trees and shrubs and get the roots well established before the harsh conditions of the following summer. The widest selection of trees and shrubs are available in the autumn and winter months. The selection of perennials and annuals is much greater in the spring and summer. 

Planting can be done whenever plants are available, provided regular watering is carried out. 

After Care 

Shrubs require trimming back after flowering. Perennials need dead heading (spent flowers removed) during flowering and then trimming back when flowering is complete. 

Water as required in summer. Mulch in early spring and autumn.