<i> Xeriscape--</i> Conservation’s Magic Word

While it is true we are in our third year of drought, and that we may be facing water rationing this summer, Southern California’s real water-shortage problems are just beginning.

The current drought, though very serious, serves to bring into sharper focus a water crisis that is expected by water management agencies to occur by the turn of the century.

“Then, it becomes precarious,” says Jay Malinowski, spokesman for the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. “New water sources are not being developed,” he says, and the expected increases in Southern California’s population will mean “higher prices for water--and an absolute lack of availability.”

Even now, legislation, introduced by Assemblyman Steve Clute (D-Riverside), is pending that would make water conservation in the landscape mandatory. Many California cities, including Los Angeles, have already instituted water-conservation ordinances for the landscapes of new development.

Watching for Waste

Gardeners can no longer turn their backs on the problem. An enormous amount of water is now used in residential gardens--as much as 50% of the average water bill goes to outside use. And much of that is wasted, being lost to runoff or evaporation or to plants that are being overirrigated. We have been hearing the word xeriscape (zir’i-scape) for several years, but now is the time that it becomes necessary to start integrating it into our own gardens.

What is xeriscape, and what can it mean in your own garden? The basic principles are: limited turf area, use of drought-tolerant plant materials, grouping of plants with similar water requirements, an efficient irrigation system and a good maintenance program.

A water-conserving garden is not a stark scene of cactuses and rocks, as commonly believed. California natives are planted as well as species from climates much like our own: the dry regions of South Africa, the Mediterranean, Australia and South America.

A good way to find out more is to attend Xeriscape ’89 in Irvine on March 29-30. According to Fred Adjarian, water awareness programs administrator for the Municipal Water District of Orange County, the conference is geared to the public, developers and landscape professionals. Its purpose is to present the most up-to-date water-conservation technology and research for landscapes and also to profile successful xeriscape projects.

The conference, which is in its seventh year, begins with talks about the water outlook for 1989 from national, statewide, regional and local perspectives and then breaks into a discussions on a number of topics. Speakers will focus on xeriscape principles and practices, including information on design criteria, plant materials, public agency projects, and irrigation systems and installations.

Topics of Talks

Talks of special interest to homeowners are: To Turf or Not to Turf; Irrigation, State of the Art; Understanding Moisture Sensors; Integration of Edibles Into a Xeriscape; Working Xeriscapes; L.A. City Xeriscape Ordinance; Xeriscape Legislation (Assemblyman Clute will speak about his recently introduced Assembly bill), and many others.

It has taken about 150 years to change what was once largely grasslands, chaparral and oak woodlands to a Shangri-La of exotic plants from water-laden lands, and we have had to develop sources of water from all over the West to keep it all alive. Very soon, however, water supplies will be limited. Clearly, in the year 2000, those homeowners who have installed xeriscapes, and who are practicing good water conservation, will have an advantage.

Xeriscape ‘89, sponsored by the Municipal Water District of Orange County, the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California and California Department of Water Resources, will be March 29-30, at the Irvine Marriott Hotel, 18000 Von Karman Ave., Irvine. Information: (714) 973-1023.