How to find resilient plants for our changing climate

Here in Vancouver, we are in our second rainless summer month.  This used to seem unusual, except last year we also had a record lack of rain.  Combined with almost no snow over the winter, and we have Stage 2 water restrictions already at the beginning of July.  This means we have to rethink our gardens.

Drought tolerant boulevard plants

Now is the time to look around your neighbourhood for plants thriving without irrigation.  For instance, we installed the boulevard plants shown in the photo about 5 years ago.  This group of plants never gets watered, and is in a south facing position, on a corner, with no shade.  These same plants tolerate our winter deluges of rain.

The plants pictured are Lavandula augustifolia (Lavender), Caryopteris, Physocarpus opulifolius 'Diabolo' (Ninebark--a native plant), and Podocarpus alpine 'Red Tip' (Tasmanian Podocarp).  The order is Lavandula, Caryopteris, Physocarpus, Caryopteris, Podocarpus, Lavandula.