Low-Water-Use Gardening

Low-Water-Use Gardening

Plants whose natural requirements are appropriate to the local climate are emphasized and care is taken to avoid losing water to evaporation and run-off.

In some areas, terms such as water-conserving landscaping, drought-tolerant landscaping, smart scaping are used instead.

Six Reasons to use Low-Water-Use Gardening

  1. Lowers consumption of imported or groundwater.
  2. More water is available for other domestic and community uses and the environment.
  3. Less time and work are needed for maintenance effort, with gardening simpler and less stressful.
  4. Little or no lawn mowing
  5. Low-water plants in appropriate planting design combined with soil grading and mulching take full advantage of rainfall retention.
  6. When water restrictions are implemented, by municipalities or rising water costs, low-water plants will tend to survive and thrive, while more ornamental plants may be unable to adapt.

Water Management And Conservation Plan

The City Developed a Water Management and Conservation Plan in 2002, which was updated in 2014. This plan was developed to identify water supply and demand issues facing the City of Grants Pass and to develop reasonable strategies to resolve these issues. In addition, this plan serves as a guide for the city's water management policies.

As part of this plan, the Oregon Water Resources Department (OWRD) required that the city institute a water conservation program along with providing public education to encourage and promote efficient water use including the use of low water-use landscaping. Part of this public education program was the construction of a public demonstration garden showcasing drought-tolerant plants as well as the creation and distribution of literature for educating citizens to the advantages of low-water-use gardening.

Water Filtration Plant Demonstration Garden

Example of Xeriscaping at the Water Filtration PlantThe City chose to incorporate this demonstration of low-water-use garden at the Water Filtration Plant on M Street, where there was already construction going on requiring the restoration of large areas of landscaping in front of the treatment plant.

The project was completed in March 2010, and on May 3, 2010 a workshop of the City Council was held at the Water Filtration Plant as an open house to introduce the improvements to the Council and the public.

Below are photos of the information boards installed at the Water Filtration Plant:

Low Water Use Plants used in Garden

Find out more about plants used in the garden.

Low Water Plants Resources

Find out more about low water use plants.