Ruud Kleinpaste: What to do in your garden now El Niño is back
We’ve been warned – a dry spell is coming our way this summer in the form of El Niño. (little Boy!) We’ve seen this before, of course but I reckon it may The El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) phenomenon is predicted to return this summer, with temperatures, rainfall and wind direction being key factors. The North Island may see the worst effects, with keeping water tanks as full as possible as possible may be a good idea. Ruud Kleinpaste from Southern Woods, South of Christchurch, has provided a list of plants that can be drought-tolerant and help reduce stress. He also found out about plants that thrive in drought conditions, such as Coprosma brunnea, Cordyline australis, and Kanuka. The author also highlighted the importance of mulching and planting in cooler seasons to reduce evaporation.
Published : 2 years ago by ZB in Weather
We’ve been warned – a dry spell is coming our way this summer in the form of El Niño. (little Boy!)
We’ve seen this before, of course but I reckon it may need a bit of a reminder:
Temperatures, Rainfall and Wind direction are the key elements of the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) phenomenon. El Niño is characterised by more westerly winds, dropping more rain on the west coasts and less rain on the east coast.
It also tends to create warmer summer temperatures in the east, making the drought conditions even trickier for gardeners. The North Island may likely see the worst effects.
Keeping water tanks as full as possible might be a good idea.
Planting drought-tolerant species will certainly ease the stress; so I went on a hunt for species that would be reasonably drought-tolerant. Southern Woods (South of Christchurch) has a good range of trees, shrubs and plants and Chris Smith sent me a few great tips, as well as a list of their best performers during El Niño.
Coprosma brunnea – wiry ground cover with white to blue fruits; cold tolerant too. Birds and Lizards
Coprosma virescens – an orange and green species – another favourite of mine;
Cordyline australis – good old cabbage tree: hardy in wetlands and in drought! Pain for lawnmowers
Corokia cotoneaster - My plant to find native bees on spring flowers – colourful.
Dodonaea viscosa - hopbush or “ake ake”; green version is NZ Native; reddish-brown ex Australia
Elaeocarpus hookerianus known as Pōkākā; can do dry, but also cold
Kanuka – Great flowering tree – a source of nectar for heaps of insects
Melicytus alpinus – porcupine bush; brilliant mountain shrub – grows well at lower levels too
Muehlenbeckia astonii – tough as! However I feel it’s a bit “over-used” in NZ gardens.
Olearia – tree daisies – many types to choose from
Pseudopanax crassifolius – Lancewood! The story of Juvenile foliage and adult foliage
Sophora microphylla – Sth Island Kowhai; watch the tui and bellbirds, the silver eyes and the Kereru
Teucrium parvifolium – rather rare shrub endemic to New Zealand and quite at home on eastern
side of our Islands, which indicates tolerance to dry spells
Do a bit of research and see what would look great at your place. When you plant them, ensure you don’t “bury” them too deep and water them in for a few days to allow them to settle in.
Of course, mulching will help (reduce evaporation), and if possible, planting in the cooler seasons
Watering is often tricky: water well periodically rather than every week. If you let these shrubs dry out between waterings, they’ll send their roots in all directions to “look for water”. That sets them up to survive El Niño!
If you are in Canterbury: go and see Chris and the team at Southern Woods – and a Dutch tip:
time it well with their spring sale!!!
Topics: El Niño