Aurora, Colorado, the third-largest city in the state, has already announced a ban on planting flowerbeds, gardens, trees, and lawns to begin May 3rd. In 2002 Aurora enforced mandatory restrictions on water use and began tough water surcharges. Later residents might be allowed to do some outside watering during the summer, but there wouldn't be enough water for newly installed landscapes. The reservoirs are almost 75% empty. Good garden designs are the best long-term solution to drought. We can create earth-friendly landscapes with herbs. Most will tolerate long, dry periods once they're established.
For the most part herbs are carefree plants that are less demanding on the environment and on the gardener. They tend to require fewer applications of fertilizers and pesticides.
Herbs with gray foliage tend to be drought tolerant. The soft gray hairs on the leaves aren't just for beauty. They're a water-conserving measure. Garden sage and lambs ears are the best examples.
In response to dry conditions some herbs evolved with very small leaves. Look closely at the lavenders, and lavender cotton.
Choosing drought tolerant herbs is important. That is the first step towards a more sustainable garden. Arranging the plants according to their moisture requirements is also necessary. Mints, bugleweed, and herbs needing more water should be planted together. Then the entire bed can be watered with a trickle irrigation system. These conserve water. Do avoid sprinklers, since they're so wasteful.
Overall the best irrigation systems consist of pipes buried in the soil. Not everyone can afford these. Soaker hoses that work by providing drips of water into the soil also work well.
When possible choose herbs that are attractive to butterflies, birds, and other wildlife. An example is the purple coneflower. This plant is on the much-preferred list for hummingbirds. Goldfinches just love to eat the seeds from the dried flower heads in late fall.
For a sustainable future buy organic, non-GMO, untreated seeds when possible. These are available from a number of sources. I also prefer to buy organically grown herbs when I'm purchasing plants.
If you're buying native herbs look for reputable sources. Several mail-order companies sell their native herbs at incredibly cheap prices because they've been collected from the wild.
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