Xeriscape
Xeriscape is an American term derived from the Greek word "xeros" meaning dry and "scape" from the word "landscape". It's a method of landscaping, that can be applied to any garden or landscaping style.
The principles of Xeriscape gardening are based on sound horticultural principles and can be used to
save water in new or established gardens. It's easy to do in your own garden
and provides many benefits. If you follow the Xeriscape principles, maintenance
of your garden will be easier and cheaper. And you'll have fewer weeds while
using less water, fertilisers and pesticides.
ActewAGL, together with the Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT) and the Department of Urban Services, has established its own Xeriscape garden that is open to visitors. The garden features a range of Australian native and exotic plants, paving, and lawn, to demonstrate water conservation ideas. It also demonstrates water treatment and reuse through the Domestic Wastewater Reuse Research project.
The Xeriscape Garden
The Xeriscape Garden is located within the CIT School of Horticulture at Heyson
Street, Weston. Although the gardens were damaged in the 2003 January bushfires, they have been rebuilt
and are open to all.
After many years of staging the popular Xeriscape Garden guest-speaker and open garden weekends, this program ended in December 2007, due to the upcoming move of the CiT Weston campus to the CiT Bruce campus in 2009.
Download the plant list [PDF] or email xeriscape@actewagl.com.au for information rqeuests.