With the increasing water scarcity and environmental consciousness, xeriscaping gardening is emerging as a smart, sustainable approach to gardening. This water-wise gardening technique focuses on using drought-tolerant plants to create beautiful outdoor spaces while minimising water usage. But who says a practical garden can’t be fragrant, edible, and medicinal too? This is where herbs come in. Incorporating herbs when designing a xeriscape garden is crucial to help conserve water.

What is xeriscape gardening?

Xeriscaping is the process of selecting plants that are compatible with the water conditions of your garden. Since most herbs are native to the hot, dry, rocky regions, they are perfectly suited for any xeriscape garden. The point is to minimise the amount of watering in your herb garden. This technique is useful regardless of your garden’s location. The best designs often blend vegetables and herbs with native wildflowers specific to the area.

Herbs for xeriscape gardens

When choosing herbs for your xeriscape garden, consider selecting those that you frequently use in your kitchen. This is important because herbs, whether dried or fresh, can be quite expensive when purchased from a grocery store. By growing your own, you ensure a continuous supply. Here are some herbs you might try cultivating in your xeriscape garden:

  • Rosemary – These perennials thrive best in mild hardy zones, symbolising the herb’s hardiness. The rosemary plants will remain evergreen in these areas. Key elements to note about the herbs are that they are highly fragrant and drought-tolerant.
  • Lavender –  What is a garden without wonderfully aromatic lavender herbs?, These delicious purple herbs thrive in dry, sunny areas, preferring soils that are not nutrient-dense.
  • Lemon balm – Lemon balm herbs are hardy perennials. Although they are hardy, lemon balms actually prefer slightly more moisture than lavender or rosemary herbs. But they still perform well in xeriscape gardens if carefully managed and grouped with plants that have similar water requirements.
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Many aromatic herbs can enhance your xeriscape garden design. Use your imagination and choose plants suitable for your garden’s environmental conditions.

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