Drought and plants: balconies and gardens that save water

Stdrought: if once this word evoked deserts and thirsty lands in distant lands, today it is unfortunately a reality throughout Italy, including the north. Maybe spring will give us some rain, but we come from a bleak winter. In March, Lombardy’s water basins lacked more than 2 billion cubic meters of water compared to the average. We haven’t seen so little snow in the Alps for 600 years (data 2022, according to the Cnr and the University of Padua).

It is the mountain that first pays the price of the great thirst. «The Alps are a portion of our territory in which climate change manifests itself with greater intensity» explains Enrico Calvo, project manager of Forest me. «The average increase in temperatures at high altitudes is close to two degrees, while in the Po Valley it has not exceeded 1.5 degrees. Mountain agriculture is affected: the mountain pastures dry up and there are fewer pools to water the animals».

Drought affects everyone

As for the plants, we all remember the glance of the woods that last summer already seemed to be autumn, with brown and falling leaves. «It is a phenomenon that occurred from 600 to 1200 meters above sea level» continues Calvo. “Trees try to defend themselves by losing their leaves, because in this way the transpiring surface is reduced and they conserve more water”.

It’s no better on the plains. Last year, the ground temperature in the Po Valley in the fields almost reached 50 degrees. “We also had the most days of direct radiation, with no clouds to filter the sun’s rays.” For those on holiday it is a marvel, but for agriculture it is a serious problem.

Without crying out for the apocalypse, we must be aware of the change underway. According to Calvo, public parks need to be rethought, designed seventy years ago when the climate was different. And that would be good also review our idea of ​​garden, terrace or balcony.

Drought-proof balconies and gardens: 5 rules

Any plant is a precious ally to make the city more livablebut we have to start focusing on those that require less water.

For those lucky enough to have a garden to rearrange, there is the opportunity to create a “dry garden”. Before choosing the plants to plant, we start by preparing the soil well. «There are five fundamental rules» explains Luca Agostini, nurseryman and founder of Botanical Dry Garden (botanicaldrygarden.com) in Orbetello and garden designer.

“The the first step is deep digging: the soil is worked deeplycreating a favorable environment for root expansion and rainwater accumulation. Then the drainage is arranged to avoid stagnation, the plants are chosen and planted in the autumn, so that they can take advantage of the rain in the winter season. Even in a dry garden, minimal watering is needed. The frequency depends on the soil, the climate and the plants, but it is advisable to water rarely and abundantly».

According to Augustine, some “rain garden” techniques can also be associated, modeling the land so that a strong storm does not wash it away and the water penetrates, replenishing the groundwater. «Holes are created and then covered with stones and vegetation, in fact invisible, which can receive the water from the gutters and retain it».

Resistance champion plants

Filed the lawn, too much in need of water, the alternatives are not lacking. “I suggest the Lippia nodoflora canescensa ground cover which, with the summer heat, it looks dried out, but it recovers after a couple of days of rain and is appreciated by pollinators. Or one Hybrid verbena» comments Agostini. It also beautifies the lawn the daisy of the walls (Erygeron karvinkianus), with pinkish white flowers. There is a wonderful grass, which grows like a bush. “Is called Pennisetum villosum, was brought from Abyssinia during the colonial era with the idea of ​​feeding livestock» he says. “But the animals didn’t like it and the plant “escaped” from the Palermo Botanical Garden, thanks to the wind that carried the seeds. It is now endemic in Sicily. She is resistant, in winter she seems dead but she recovers, and starts again in spring ».

They get along with a little water too Stipa very light and the Stipa trichotoma “Palomino”perhaps to be combined with one Gaura lindheimeri, with pink or white flowers in spring. Drought tolerant champion, the Sarcopotherium spinosum (or “thorn pigs”) is a prickly evergreen, ideal for a defensive hedge. It also grows rapidly Viburnus tinusor “slowness”, typical of the Mediterranean maquis, the lentisk is tenacious (Pistacia lentiscus) and all cysts, perfect in sunny soils and with splendid flowers.

Oleanders are ideal, which have many varieties. In the garden, but also on a terrace and balcony well exposed to the sun, the Tulbagia violacea offers a rich flowering and does not grow above 40 centimeters. «There are three or four varieties to choose from, all of which have a flower that smells of garlic, which can be used in bruschetta» says Agostini. The agapanthus with blue flowers is spectaculareasy to grow even in pots. In a sufficiently large container, it can also be kept on the terrace a Punica granatum “Maxima Rubra”a pomegranate that produces inedible fruit, but gives a magnificent red-orange bloom.

For those who love yellowthe Maritime Gazania it also grows well in pots: its flowers open in the sun and close in the evening. Of the same color are the flowers of the Maritime cinerariawhich has silvery velvety leaves.

Perfect for pots

Even douches do not require too much water (the toothed ones are excellent, even in dim light) and some aromatics, such as rosemary, thyme and sage. Among the latter, try one Sage pineapplewith edible leaves scented like tropical fruit. Helichrysum and santolinas they do well in pots. Other plants that require little water and produce colorful flowers are the Delosperma cooperi (perfect in a bowl) and purslane. You can also try keeping one in a vase Perovskia atriplicifoliaor “Russian sage”: it is a shrub with purple flowers, similar to lavender, of great effect in the garden with several plants placed side by side. But even on the balcony it can give a purple touch with low water consumption.

In pots and planters, even the most drought-tolerant plants need to be watered more. “If you use drip irrigation systems in the summer, don’t put the spout too close to the collar of the plant” advises Agostini. “Many plants resistant to drought in nature grow in poor and calcareous soils: avoid using a soil that is too rich in organic matter, and mix it with pumice, lapillus and other inert materials”.

Drought friendly trees

The laurel, to be on the side of the birds. Apple and pear trees are perfect for balconies. And citrus fruits can stay in pots.

Even the trees in the garden are subject to fads. In the Seventies, exotic araucarias were popular, today no landscaper would recommend them. But beyond the tastes, iClimate change suggests favoring trees that are more resistant to heat and drought. English oak and hornbeam, which require a lot of water, will be used less in the future. «If the space available permits it, one can orientate oneself between oak, field maple and olive trees, which now also grow well in northern Italy» comments Enrico Calvo.

«Who chooses a laurel (Laurus nobilis) does a courtesy to the birds, who love him. It is also drought tolerant Ginkgo biloba». What about conifers? “Spruce, silver fir and pine have long been suffering in the lowland areas. The scots pine and stone pine are more suited to the current conditions».

On the terrace or balcony, Calvo suggests small trees such as apple and pear trees, with beautiful blooms, or rowan, dogwood, hawthorn. By now the climate allows you to keep citrus fruits in pots as well. “Be careful, however: despite climate change, in northern Italy, frosts are possible in winter and must be protected”.

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