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Weāve been warned ā a dry spell is coming our way this summer in the form of El NiƱo. (little Boy!)Ā
Weāve seen this before, of course but I reckon it may need a bit of a reminder:Ā
Temperatures, Rainfall and Wind direction are the key elements of the El NiƱo Southern Oscillation (ENSO) phenomenon. El NiƱo is characterised by more westerly winds, dropping more rain on the west coasts and less rain on the east coast.Ā
It also tends to create warmer summer temperatures in the east, making the drought conditions even trickier for gardeners. The North Island may likely see the worst effects.Ā
Keeping water tanks as full as possible might be a good idea.Ā
Planting drought-tolerant species will certainly ease the stress; so I went on a hunt for species that would be reasonably drought-tolerant. Southern Woods (South of Christchurch) has a good range of trees, shrubs and plants and Chris Smith sent me a few great tips, as well as a list of their best performers during El NiƱo.Ā
Brachyglottis greyii ā Daisy Bush (aka shaggy Ragwort)Ā
Brachyglottis monroi ā Monroās Daisy; evergreen with yellow flowersĀ
Carmichaelia australis ā common native broom ā an insect magnetĀ
Coprosma acerosa ā ground cover for dry/hot/coastalĀ
Coprosma brunnea ā wiry ground cover with white to blue fruits; cold tolerant too. Birds and LizardsĀ
Coprosma crassifolia ā divaricated shrub with small leaves ā North and South IslandĀ
Coprosma rugosa ā āNeedle-leaved Mountain coprosma ā nice orange-brown species ā stands out!Ā
Coprosma virescens ā an orange and green species ā another favourite of mine;Ā
Cordyline australis ā good old cabbage tree: hardy in wetlands and in drought! Pain for lawnmowersĀ
Corokia cotoneaster - My plant to find native bees on spring flowers ā colourful.Ā
Dodonaea viscosa - hopbush or āake akeā; green version is NZ Native; reddish-brown ex AustraliaĀ
Elaeocarpus hookerianus known as PÅkÄkÄ; can do dry, but also coldĀ
Kanuka ā Great flowering tree ā a source of nectar for heaps of insectsĀ
Melicytus alpinus ā porcupine bush; brilliant mountain shrub ā grows well at lower levels tooĀ
Muehlenbeckia astonii ā tough as! However I feel itās a bit āover-usedā in NZ gardens.Ā
Olearia ā tree daisies ā many types to choose fromĀ
Ozothamnus ā cottonwoodĀ
Pseudopanax crassifolius ā Lancewood! The story of Juvenile foliage and adult foliageĀ
Sophora microphylla ā Sth Island Kowhai; watch the tui and bellbirds, the silver eyes and the KereruĀ
Teucrium parvifolium ā rather rare shrub endemic to New Zealand and quite at home on easternĀ
side of our Islands, which indicates tolerance to dry spellsĀ
Do a bit of research and see what would look great at your place. When you plant them, ensure you donāt āburyā them too deep and water them in for a few days to allow them to settle in.Ā
Of course, mulching will help (reduce evaporation), and if possible, planting in the cooler seasonsĀ
Watering is often tricky: water well periodically rather than every week. If you let these shrubs dry out between waterings, theyāll send their roots in all directions to ālook for waterā. That sets them up to survive El NiƱo!Ā
If you are in Canterbury: go and see Chris and the team at Southern Woods ā and a Dutch tip:Ā
time it well with their spring sale!!!Ā
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