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About Hermiston herald. (Hermiston, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (April 13, 2016)
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 13, 2016 HERMISTON HERALD/EAST OREGONIAN • PAGE 3 SPRING HOME & GARDEN WATER WOES? GO XERIC! By RENEE STRUTHERS Staff Writer Spring is here and with it thoughts of gardening. Now that the sun is out, many home- owners have broken out the garden tools and are busily sprucing up yards and digging out vegetable beds in anticipa- tion of new plantings. After last summer’s brutal heat wave and amidst rising municipal water rates, some people may be searching for alternatives to thirsty Kentucky bluegrass lawns. There are lawn alternatives such as buf- falo grass that are low-care and use much less water. Another option is xeriscap- ing, planting drought-tolerant natives that bring beauty and di- versity to our local landscapes while drastically cutting the amount of irrigating needed to keep plants happy and healthy. Especially on the scorching south and 541-278-5403 west sides of homes and businesses, or in http://extension.oregonstate.edu/umatilla/mg those pesky “inferno strips” between the sidewalk and the street, xeriscaping can STAFF PHOTO BY RENEE STRUTHERS save you a bundle in the long run for a modest outlay of time Dee Armstrong, garden lead at D&B Supply in Pendleton, shows some of the drought-tolerant perennials available in their garden center. and money. First, getting rid of even part of a traditional lawn means less — and it takes forever for them terest and structure. There are mowing, fertilizing, watering to grow big enough to provide many natives that are well and weeding. Second, replac- shade. When considering trees adapted to hot dry climates. ing lawn grass with native for your property, think about Many varieties of sage exist wildÀ owers, grasses and trees how big the tree will be at full that are beautiful and hardy in means local birds and polli- growth and take into consider- Eastern Oregon conditions, and nators have a ready source of ation the safest distance from shrubs like mountain mahoga- food while you enjoy the free your home or outbuildings, and ny, mockorange and Oregon show. any overhead power and utility grape are water-wise as well. Trees such as mountain ash, lines. No one wants to plant a Or plant fruiting shrubs like serviceberry and hackberry tree only to have to cut it down currant and gooseberry, or pru- provide shade in the summer 10 years later because it’s drop- terberry, a cross of the two, and and fruit for birds all winter in ping branches on your roof, or make some jelly to enjoy over smaller yards. Maple, walnut the power company has threat- the winter months. Any berries and oak are champion shade ened to “prune” it for you to left on the bushes will be a wel- trees with lower water require- keep it out of their lines. come treat for overwintering ments, but need a lot more room Shrubs provide vertical in- birds. CONTACT OSU EXTENSION MASTER GARDENERS W HEN E VERY D ROP C OUNTS Irrigation Specialists has served the Oregon and Washington markets since 1970 - over 45 years of quality service and support. STAFF PHOTO BY RENEE STRUTHERS Silver thyme is a great drought-tolerant ground cover, and bees love it. There are many À owering perennials that will brighten up your yard year after year and bring pollinators by the hundreds. Herbs like oregano, thyme, bee balm and lavender are honeybee favorites. Main- stays such as agastache and penstemon will bring hum- mingbirds as well — and plant breeders continue to create new varieties in a rainbow of colors to suit every taste. And if you’re looking for something to twine around a pergola or along a fence, hardy clema- tis and wisteria are available in various shades, and native grape varieties thrive in less- than-perfect conditions once established. Or try succulents for your hottest, driest areas. “Euphorbia, sedums and other succulents are drought tolerant and really take a beat- ing in the heat” while coming through with À ying colors, says Dee Armstrong, garden lead for D&B Supply’s garden cen- ter in Pendleton and former op- erator of Blueberry Hill Nurs- See WATER, C6 TRAILING A GOOD DEAL!! S T O P B E U ! Y & S AV e Fenc in! me 2 Rail Ranch • 3 Rail Ranch We are a full-service irrigation dealership. Whether you are a farmer, landscaper, irrigation district or homeowner we have the right products and services for you. BY LIN DSAY BY LIN DSAY www.irrspec.com 541-567-6370 • 81156 N. Hwy 395 • Hermiston, OR PASCO • OTHELLO • GRANDVIEW Same Location for over 15 Years! & Vinyl Too! 541-667-8191 • 80764 N. 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