Are you itching to start gardening but worried about drought restrictions? Well, don't let it stop you from putting your green thumb to use. Despite the continuing drought, with a little creativity you can still enjoy beautiful flowers and plants. There are many plants that thrive with little watering and various ways to maximize your gardening space while minimizing water usage. Before you buy out the nearest landscaping center's inventory though, find out what your local watering restrictions are. According to Conserve Water Georgia, newly installed landscaping (planted less than 30 days) may be watered by any homeowner or landscaper who has registered with the Georgia Urban Agriculture Council. Watering can only be done between midnight and 10 a.m., and odd-numbered addresses may water on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, while even-numbered addresses may water on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. Otherwise, you may use one garden hose (with a nozzle) for 25 minutes, during those designated hours and days.Now comes the fun part, planning your garden. Most people turn to common perennials and annuals, but during a drought, what's common may not be ideal. Stay away from standard petunias, impatiens, marigolds, begonias, non-native asters and other flowers that are more delicate and require extra water. But before you think your dreams of a flower-filled garden will evaporate with the sun, think again. There are many blooming plants that tolerate heat and less water and still provide beauty. Here are just a few, courtesy of Paul Thomas, a horticulturist with the University of Georgia's College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences:* Perennials for Sun: Lantana 'Miss Huff' (Miss Huff Lantana), Helianthus angustifolia (Swamp Sunflower), Salvia guaranitica (Hummingbird Sage), Salvia leucantha (Mexican Sage), Ruellia brittoniana (Mexican Sunflower), Rudbeckia triloba (Black Eyed Susan), Stachys byzantina (Lambs ears), Artemesia 'Silver King' (Silver King) and Kniphofia uvaria (Red Hot Poker).* Perennials for Shade: Helebor hybrids (Lenten Rose), Japanese autumn ferns, Aspidistra eliator (Parlor Plant), Monarda didyma (Bee Balm: wilts but comes back), Iris tectorum (Roof Iris), Iris barbata (Bearded Iris), Sedum 'Autumn Joy' (Autumn Joy), Iris siberica (Siberia Iris) and Hosta hybrids.* Annuals: Lantana camara hybrids (Lantana), Catharanthus roseus (Vinca), Amaranthus caudatus (Amaranths), Celosia cristata (Cocks Comb), Portulaca hybrids (Moss Rose), Melampodium paludosum (Golg Button Plant), Petunias (especially old-timey and "Wave" petunias), Passiflora 'Byron's Beauty' (Passiflora), Cosmos bipinnatus (Cosmos), Cosmos sulfureus (Cosmos), Tithonia rotundifolia (Mexican Sunflower), Verbena tenuisecta (Moss Verbena), Salvia farinaceae hybrids (Blue Salvia) and Zinnia elegans (Zinnias).* Perennial Natives: Lilium hybrids (Lilies), Amsonia tabernaemontana (Blue Stars), Daucus carota (Queen Ann's Lace), Physostegia virginiana (Obedient Plant), Lonicera sempervirens (Red Honeysuckle), Achillea millifolium (Yellow Yarrow), Clematis paniculata (Clematis), Oenothera speciosa (Pink Sundrops), Bellamcanda chinensis (Blackberry Lily), Boltonia asteroides (White Boltonia), asters (native species), Echinaceae purpurea (Purple Cone Flower), Tradescantia virginiana (Spiderwort), Eupatorium coelestinum (Woodland Ageratum), Eupatorium fistulosum (Joe Pye Weed), Asclepias tuberosa (Butterfly weed) and Bignonia capreolata (Cross Vine).Once you've made your selections and planted them, apply mulch, which will help retain water in the surrounding soil. You can even layer newspapers underneath the mulch for better water retention. Then, during dry spells, cut back annuals and perennials. The next time it rains, they'll perk up. If water is extremely scarce, only water valuable or irreplaceable plants - you can always buy more annuals. For even more ways to save water, visit www.conservewatergeorgia.net With some planning and water conservation, you can have a beautiful garden all summer long!
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