WATERWISE PLANTING

Most indigenous plants require less watering than exotic plants. Some are particularly drought resistant.

They have developed a number of adaptations to grow in drier conditions or reduce water loss:

SUCCULENCE: Storage of water in leaves (eg Aloes), or stems (eg Euphorbias) or roots (eg Cabbage Trees)

SMALL/NEEDLE LIKE LEAVES: These reduce water loss from evaporation (eg Asparagus, Confetti Bush, Felicias)

FOLIAGE COLOUR: Grey or sliver colours reflect sun & heat (eg Wild Rosemary, Helychrysums, Arctotis)

HAIRY LEAVES: Air movement slows, reducing water loss (eg Arctotis, Camphor Tree)

STRONG ROOT SYSTEMS: Plants with deep or succulent roots survive drought well (eg Plumbago, Agapanthus,

Clivia, Pride of de Kaap)

STRONG INTERNAL STRUCTURE: Fibrous skeletons prevent stem and leaf wilting (eg Streltzia, Dietes, Cycad)

GOING UNDERGROUND: Leaf loss in winter mimics hibernation (eg Veldheimia, Crinum, Scadoxus)