QUENTIN ROUX / Staff

Karen Anglin of the Island Garden Center speaks to members of the Calusa Garden Club about the technique of Xeriscaping - the use of drought tolerant plants that can be both attractive and water efficient.

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Drought tolerant landscaping — popular with many Marco Islanders — isn’t simply a matter of jamming hardy plants into the earth and letting nature take care of the aesthetics.

The trend is better known as Xeriscaping, and planned design is all important, said Karen Anglin of the Island Garden Center.

Anglin was talking to members of the Calusa Garden Club, a Marco-based organization whose members share information on all sorts of horticultural subjects at regular meetings.

Xeriscaping, said Anglin, is not to be confused with Xeroscaping, which, like Xero suggests, means no landscaping at all.

“Xeriscaping is a great way to design, install and maintain both your plants and irrigation system,” she said.

She said she subscribes to Xeriscaping at her own house, and doesn’t even have an irrigation system installed, hence a big saving on watering.

Proper plant selection, she said, is essential, and is based on the plants’ need for sun exposure, water and soil drainage.

She pointed out, however, that in terms of heat, it should be remembered that parking lots can radiate, as can retention ponds, swales and artificially shaded areas due to man-made structures.

“Group your plantings according to their water requirements,” said Anglin, who is a horticultures specialist with Island Garden Center. “This allows you to program your irrigation system to water each zone with only the amount of water required to maintain the plants.”

Naturally, she add, watering should be done primarily in the morning hours when temperatures and wind speeds will be at their lowest to reduce loss of water through evaporation.

She also suggested mulches for water retention.

People who prefer turf in their landscaping plans, Anglin said, should consider using one of the drought tolerant species like Bahia or Zoysia grass. The popular St. Augustine/Floratam species is a good to fair drought tolerant choice, she said.