The Texas Hill Country Way

Keep Wimberley Beautiful

The Saturday, July 20 issue of The Austin American Statesman has a wonderful article on gardening titled, “The Mediterranean Way.” The article’s subtitle says “Create a lush garden that’s water-wise, too.” I say, “Why not just call it The Texas Hill Country Way”? It is simply an article on “xeriscaping”, from a Greek word meaning dry. And, please, the word is not ZERO-SCAPING.

The Texas Hill Country does indeed suffer from heat and drought and we must learn and practice ways to garden under these conditions. Look around you. It is not difficult. It just takes some thought and a little knowledge and acceptance of how to go about it. Nurseries will help you select water-wise plants and landscapers or garden-wise friends will suggest ways to implement this new way to create a beautiful yard. Think about removing parts of a grassy lawn. Replace with gravel walkways, pergolas, benches or swings on graveled surfaces, etc. Urns, sculptures, garden accents take up space and become lovely focal points where grass might have grown.

And, of course, well adapted, water-wise plants replace water-loving ones. We’re not talking about just cactus! Here’s a list of just a few that work well in our area: Jerusalem sage, Texas lantana, Mexican bush sage, salvias of all kinds, a wide variety of herbs, Rock rose, Coreopsis, Plumbago, Lion’s tail, and Yuccas and Agaves. Many more are out there. A popular trend today is the use of grasses, so many different ones that I haven’t learned the names of them yet though they grow in my yard and neighborhood.

You will be pleased with doing your part to save water and I think you will find that a xeriscaped landscape also saves time and energy because you aren’t out there mowing and watering as often as you used to. Give it a go! You can make the change.

Written by Martha Knies