Episode: #8 21/10/2006
Presenter: Sue McDougall

Some of the best gardens all over this state are also water wise and while in Perth we have the luxury of turning the reticulation on twice a week, spare a thought for those people who garden in the country. If it hasn?t rained there is no water for the garden so correct plant selection is paramount to the success of a garden.

The theme for this week has been water and with the promotion that Water week has had we should all be a full bottle on saving water. The Water Corporation is working to ensure the continual supply of water for WA and all of us need to do a little bit in our own backyard to reduce our consumption. It is the old saying think nationally, and act locally that is going to make a difference in the long run.

Not many people think of Cyclamens (Cyclamen Hybrid Cultivar) as being water wise plants, but they shoot away at the beginning if autumn with the first sign of rain and flower continually through the colder months and into spring. Then when it starts to warm up they die back staying dormant in the soil over the heat of the summer under a thick layer of mulch the bulb stays cool.

The Blue Margaurite daisy flowers (Felicia amelloides) brilliantly at this time of the year and not much kills it. After it has finished flowering, just trim about 1/3^rd of the foliage off and it quickly shoots away with great new growth.

If you have a spare spot in the garden, look for those plants that are on the Waterwise Plants for Perth Programme. The plants that have made it onto this list are tough exotics and natives, that when established only require occasional watering during summer.

Many of you may be familiar with the large leaf Coprosma (Coprosma propinqua ?Matai Magic?) that was so trendy in 80?s. It was tough, but fell out of favour when cottage gardens became popular. Well they are back better than ever with some outstanding foliage colour.

Maitai Magic is a small leaf variety and it could be used for hedges or multi planting in the garden and it would give the African Box a run for its money.

Mirror Bush Rainbow Surprise (Coprosma repens ?Rainbow Surprise?) will grow up to 1.5m high in full sun or part shade. The more light it gets the more it will colour up and I can see this one planted around a pool in a tropical garden.

A garden club member contacted the Gurus wanting some planting ideas for her beach house, the criteria being it needed to survive on its own.

Coprosmas are one of those rare plants that will tolerate coastal conditions and Evening Glow develops a gorgeous glossy foliage.

If you would like more inspiration, or would like your garden questions answered join our online garden Club.

The Water Corporation
http://www.watercorporation.com.au/