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Perennials do require a bit of maintenance. You’ll need to pluck out spent blossoms and dead leaves. |
Add bulbs for successive bursts of seasonal color.
Perennials are especially well-suited to various methods of drip irrigation.
Flower lovers rejoice! You can still enjoy vivid seasonal color while cutting your
water use 65-70 percent. This landscape shows you how. First, as recommended along
the Planting Path, we’ve chosen our plants wisely, with an emphasis on water-thrifty
species.
Next, as suggested on the Irrigation Path, we’ve grouped our plants according to
their water needs, locating thirsty traditional species and water-thrifty species
in separate irrigation zones. Finally, we’ve used sub-surface drip tubing to water
all but the turf area.
Keep in mind that perennials do require a bit of maintenance—plucking spent blossoms
and dead leaves, for instance. So you may want to limit these blooming beauties
to high-visibility areas. Use the principles of good landscape design to fill in
elsewhere with drip-irrigated shrubs, waterwise turf and handsome hardscapes.
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Choose your perennials wisely. Start with water-thrifty species like penstemon, lavender and agastache. |