Water Smart Outdoors

The Lay of the Land | Your Wants and Needs
Sketching Out Your Garden | Selecting Plants and Flowers
Your Very Own Fusion Garden | Colour Wheel | Plant List
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Plant Selection

Although native plants make the transition to a local environment easier than other types, that does not mean that only native species should be considered. Any plant that can adapt to a particular climate or condition can be incorporated into your garden.

Water-Wise Plant Selection

Plants needing little or no additional water than that obtained by normal rainfalls are the most desirable. Plants in their first year will need more careful attention and watering to develop a strong root system.

When you're ready to choose plants for your garden, spend time with the plant experts at your local greenhouse or nursery, or visit one of the Region's demonstration gardens to view the beauty of water-wise gardens.

Characteristics of a Drought-Tolerant Plant

The larger the leaf, the more water it requires.
Plants with grey or fuzzy leaves (lavender, lambs ears), succulents (sedums), or herbs native to the Mediterranean (thyme, sage) are all drought tolerant.
Plants that grow low to the ground may be more drought tolerant.
Herbs and plants with pungent aromas produce oils that help prevent them from drying out.
Slow-growing perennials or shrubs tend to be more drought resistant.
Native plants tend to be more drought tolerant.

Container Planting

Plants potted in containers or baskets need a lot of care as they tend to dry out quickly. When growing container plants, reduce the amount of moisture lost from the soil by placing smaller pots inside larger pots. Line the larger pot with vermiculture or moss. Line clay, wood or straw baskets with plastic to retain moisture. Mulch to slow moisture loss. Use large, broad containers rather than tall, narrow ones, as these retain more moisture.

Plant Hardiness Zones

Plant hardiness zones indicate which plants will survive the cold of winter and the heat of summer in particular areas. Zones range from 0 - 9a, with 0 being extremely cold (Arctic). Hardiness areas rated 8a and above are considered tropical. Plants rated 8a only survive as annuals or houseplants in our area.

The Mississauga area is hardy to zone 6a, that is, plants rated from zones 2 - 6a will survive. Brampton is hardy to zone 5b, and most areas of Caledon are considered zone 5a.

The plants on the attached lists are hardy to zone 5.