A Note From "The Hoe." Drought-Resistant Plants

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 93, 14 January 1935, Page 7

A Note From "The Hoe." Drought-Resistant Plants

Exceptionally drv months, such as we have been expeiieneing lately, afford the thoughtful gardener an opportunity of observing the droughtresistant properties,of various plants. It doesn’t take the careful observer Jong to learn that plants with grey foliage have learned tthe secret of existing with a minimum of moisture, whereas big. 1 bright green leaved plants—such as hydrangeas—very quickly show tne effects of dry conditions. Most natives of hot climates, such as Africa and Australia. revel in warm, dry summers—but not all. The sweet-scented boronia megastibnia. for example, requires much more moisture than most of its Australian cousins. This, of course, is readilv understood if the gardener knows that, in its native habitat, the boronia is found growing on the edge of. swamps. The well-known Transvaal daisy (gefhera) will stand rhe hottest days with impunity but only if its roots can tap ample supplies of moisture. It therefore does not do to assume that because a plant hails from a tropical, or semi-tropical country, that it will stand drv conditions. Even members of the same family vary in their ability io withstand dry conditions. The ivaratahs afford a good example of this. The New ■ South Wales variety will thrive m fairly dry conditions whereas the Victorian or,Tasmanian varieties in sist on considerable quantities ot water. The wise gardem'i therefore profits by tlie exnerume of a .-uni mer such as this ami marks fol re moval those tdaiits which show signs ofdistress. He amakes a point of ascertaining the conditions under which each variety thrives in its native habitat. illllllllllllllllllllllliillllillllllltlllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll