Join the Okanagan Xeriscape Association this Saturday, April 27, 9 a.m. to noon, for our xeriscape plant sale.
The garden is located in front of the H2O Aquatic Centre, 4075 Gordon Dr.
There will be hundreds of water-wise plants to choose from, including many of those featured in the unH2O Xeriscape Garden.
We will also have copies of my favourite xeriscape gardening book for sale.
I am delighted that Creating The Prairie Xeriscape is finally back in print. It’s the best resource I have ever found for gardening in the Okanagan climate.
Author Sara Williams spent three years doing extensive revisions and updates.
For the same price as the original book, $34.95, there are 100 more pages and coloured photos on every page. It is a beautifully designed and written book.
In addition to extensive, easy to follow information on the Seven Principles of Xeriscape, there are detailed plant profiles and photos of over 900 drought-tolerant plants, all suited to our climate.
A bonus is the very helpful charts to aid in selecting the right plant for height, light, bloom colour and time.
Williams’ book convincingly illustrates that xeriscaping a space does not require the use of gravel, rocks and landscape fabric.
The photos and landscape plans show how colourful and varied a xeriscape can be.
She makes it easy to get started and learn by doing.
Adapting even one principle, such as mulching your current garden, will drastically reduce water use and maintenance time.
Williams promotes xeriscaping for many applications such as condominiums, urban yards, farms, acreages, and public spaces such as parks, parking lots, schools and libraries.
She has 20 years experience using xeriscape principles and testing plants while gardening on five acres of sand near Saskatoon.
She has a B.Sc. and a M.Sc. in horticultural extension from the University of Saskatchewan.
Williams served as the horticultural specialist with the extension division of the University of Saskatchewan for 12 years.
Some of you will have met her when she gave presentations in Kelowna.
After the plant sale, books will be available from the Okanagan Xeriscape Association.
The Okanagan Xeriscape Association’s 2013 memberships will also be available at the plant sale, as well as from the website.
At the end of the plant sale, all those who have bought 2013 OXA memberships will be eligible for a prize draw for plants.
Membership benefits include 10 per cent off all OXA classes and workshops, a 10 per cent discount off plants from eight Okanagan Valley nurseries, and notification of OXA’s classes and events and significant additions to the website.
Plant sales will include all types of plants and garden related items donated by their members.
