Ms. Joanne Salge, Master Gardener and coordinator of our city’s Xeriscape Garden, located on the grounds of the Museum of Science and History, presented an engaging, instructional overview of Xeriscape Gardening to twenty-five attentive members on April 13, 2024, at the YWCA.

She defined Xeriscape as a concept of water conservation, NOT a landscape design, that emphasizes key principles:

• Your landscape is an investment in your comfort and value of your property.
• Xeriscape can increase the value of your property.
• Xeriscape can reduce water and maintenance costs by 60%.
• Xeriscape extends water supplies.
• Xeriscape principles are good horticultural practices.
• There is no “O” in Xeriscape.

In her planned, clear, and pleasant presentation Ms. Salge—a cordial, experienced speaker—explained how to create a Xeriscape design with focus on grouping plants that complement each other, incorporating many colors, sizes, and textures, and dividing landscape area among turf, flower beds, and hard ground surfaces.

Impressive was the professional design (map) of our city’s breath-taking, water-conserving Xeriscape Garden—designed by experts—that incorporates multi-colored and multi-height plant varieties, many species of trees, and different ground covers and hard surfaces.

Ms. Salge stressed the importance of elevated soil that allows oxygen and nutrients to promote plants and trees that thrive in our climate and water-scarce environment. Having the soil tested may be necessary.

Before creating a Xeriscape design, a person should ask herself: Do I need help with my project?

Within her presentation Ms. Salge explained our area’s water sources: The Mary Rhodes Pipeline that carries purchased surface water from the Colorado River near Bay City to the Lavaca-Navidad River Authority near Lake Texana; the Choke Canyon Reservoir near Three Rivers; and Lake Mathis.

The group asked questions about water use by industries, desalinization, and the ammonia plant destined for Robstown.

Ms. Salge gifted each cheerful member a useful canvas bag filled with colorful plant guides and various types of Xeriscape information.  Our group presented Ms. Salge a book about Avery Island, LA, a formidable pepper farm that produces Tabasco.

At the end of the meeting, Catherine offered a significant assessment of our group: We are a community of members who appreciate and enrich each other as we work to achieve our mission.

Story by: Dr. Diana Cardenas