Selecting a

waterwise
mediterranean garden.
Perth’s climate is very similar to a Mediterranean C O N V E RT I N G A N E X I S T I N G G A R D E N
climate. This means there are many types of TO B E C O M E WAT E RW I S E
Mediterranean and appropriate Australian plants that
The most important factor in converting an existing
have similar water and cultivational requirements and will
garden is rationalising landscape treatments and plants to
mix well together.
create areas that require similar amounts of water - Drop
What’s right for your garden will depend on the
Zones. Think carefully about how you want your garden
size of your garden and the overall effect you’re
to function and look, then work towards having higher
looking to achieve.
water use planting around prominent and heavily used
For your Mediterranean garden to be a success, you
areas and lower water use treatments elsewhere. You
will need to consider soil improvement, mulch and
may need to rearrange plants to achieve this.
irrigation plus the amount of water that each plant will
Shift the plants from one place to another, according
require which is categorised by ‘Drop Zones’ that you can
to water use, replace with new ones. Consider your lawn
refer to on the back of this leaflet.
areas carefully and have the minimum you need to create
S O I L I M P RO V E M E N T, M U L C H
the appearance and accommodate the functions you
A N D I R R I G AT I O N .
require. Narrow strips of lawn are particularly difficult to

Soil improvement should be carried out for all water efficiently.

planting to enhance plant growth and maximise If you have an existing irrigation system, you may be

water retention. able to alter it by amalgamating existing sections or

All planted areas should be mulched, preferably with adding new ones to suit the re-arranged garden. A new

a dark coloured material such as ‘Pine and Peat’, to controller may give you greater flexibility in the delivery

dramatise the effect of the planting. of water. Your irrigation supplier can advise you on this.
Your irrigation system should be designed so If it is not possible to change your system satisfactorily,
that each Drop Zone (and the lawn if used) can you may be able to re-arrange the planting to suit it. Soil
be watered independently. improvement around new plants, and mulching to all
garden beds will help too.

REMEMBER THAT BY INVESTING IN WATERWISE PLANNING AND PREPARATION

The water requirements of Mediterranean plants can be Gold Coin, , ASTERISCUS. Low growing, grey-green leaves,
classified into two Drop Zones, with Drop Zone One requiring yellow daisy flowers.
less water than Drop Zone Two. Kalanchoe, KALANCHOE. Medium to small succulents, many
Mediterranean plants are a selection of plants that are well with showy flowers.
suited to long hot dry summers. Your Waterwise Garden Centre *Lantana, LANTANA. Wide range of shapes and flower colour
may have an even wider range and can help you in making your available.
selection. *Lavender, LAVANDULA. Wide range of species and cultivars.
Once established these plants should not be watered more *Lippia, PHYLA. Alternative to grass in full sun to light shade.
frequently than every 4 to 7 days. Native Fuchsia, CORREA. Small bush, bird attracting flowers in
Those marked * are able to go much longer between waterings. winter.
*Pride of Madeira, ECHIUM. Open evergreen woody shrub, grey
green leaves, blue spring flowers.
*Rock Rose, CISTUS. Generally small open shrubs with large
1 poppy-like flowers.
D

E
O P-Z O *Yucca. Long, often pointed leaves in clumps, white summer

N
TREES R
flowers, several available.
*Carob Tree, CERATONIA. Large shade tree, shiny foliage,
females produce pods.
*Cockspur Coral Tree, ERYTHRINA. Small branching tree,
bright red flowers. 2

E
*Crepe Myrtle, LAGERSTROEMIA. Showy flowers in range of O P-Z O

N
R
colours, ornamental trunk.
TREES
*European Fan Palm, CHAMAEROPS. Small, often clump- Indian Bean Tree, CATALPA. Deciduous, large leaves, white
forming palm. summer flowers.
*Judas Tree, CERCIS. Many slender trunks, deciduous, very Irish Strawberry Tree, ARBUTUS. Dark foliage, cream flowers,
showy spring blossom. colourful fruits.
*Olive, OLEA. Usually small tree, grey-green leaves, several Powton, PAULOWNIA. Deciduous, fast growing, light blue
cultivars available. flowers in spring.
*Wattle, ACACIA. Wide range available including foliage forms.
SHRUBS
SHRUBS Blue Potato Bush, SOLANUM. Bright green leaves, blue/purple
Bougainvillea. Upright woody shrubby climber, massed colourful flowers spring and summer.
flowers in summer.Wide range. *Bottlebrush, CALLISTEMON. Easily shaped, showy bird
*Ceanothus. Small dark green leaves, deep blue flowers. attracting flowers, wide range available.
*Guichenotia. Open habit, grey leaves, pinky-purple flowers *Broom, CYTISUS. Wide range, colourful pea flowers.
spring and summer. Butterfly Bush, BUDDLEIA. Wide range available, fast growing,
Lion’s Ear, LEONOTUS. Semi deciduous, slender dark green attracts butterflies.
leaves, orange flowers in warmer months. Euryops. Open shrub, grey-green foliage, yellow daisy flowers.
*Oleander, NERIUM. Wide range of flower colours, caution *Myrtle, MYRTUS. Glossy dark green aromatic foliage, white
needed with leaves and sap. spring flowers.
*Plumbago. Clusters of blue flowers throughout the warmer
months. PERENNIALS, SMALL SHRUBS,
*Pomegranate, PUNICA. Deciduous, ornamental flowers and G RO U N D C O V E R S & C L I M B E R S
fruit, a few forms available. *African Daisy, DIMORPHOTHECA. Spreading habit, large daisy
*Rosemary, ROSMARINUS. Fragrant foliage, blue flowers for flowers.Wide range.
most of the year. *African Lily, AGAPANTHUS. Clumping choice of large or small,
*Wax Flowers, CHAMELAUCIUM. Wide range including many blue or white flowers.
Geraldton waxes. Coneflower, RUDBECKIA. Small short lived plant, showy daisy-
*Wormwood, ARTEMISIA. Clump forming, silver-grey foliage like flowers.
plant. *Dampiera. Several species and cultivars. Ask your nursery for
assistance.
PERENNIALS, SMALL SHRUBS, Diosma, COLEONEMA. Small bushes, long flowering, several
G RO U N D C O V E R S & C L I M B E R S cultivars available.
*Agave. Clump forming large leaved succulents, wide range Geranium, PELARGONIUM. Fast growing, very wide range of
available. types and flower colours.
*Aptenia. Small prostrate frosty green succulent with red Snow in Summer, CERASTIUM. Dense prostrate grey foliage,
fluffy flowers. white flowers in spring and summer.
Butterfly Plant, GAURA. Flowers throughout warmer months, *Statice, LIMONIUM. Clumping plant with large leaves and blue
many cultivars. flowers on tall stems.
Cat Mint, NEPETA. Silver-grey aromatic foliage, blue flowers Strawflower, BRACTEANTHA. Small branching plants,
spring and summer. ‘everlasting’ daisy flowers.
*Crassula. Succulent perennials, many with showy flowers. Salvia.Wide range of species and cultivars.
*Fleabane, ERIGERON. Indestructible small clumping daisy, self
seeds, good for crevices.
*Gazania. Silver, grey or green foliage, daisy flowers in wide
range of colours.
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