The Plano 2025 Waterwise Garden Tour is coming up on Saturday, October 4, from 9am to 2pm. This free, self-guided tour showcases water-conserving, drought-tolerant residential and community landscapes.
Drop by the tour headquarters at the Plano Environmental Education Center to explore the demonstration garden and speak to experts about sustainable landscape practices.
Check the map to plan your route. At each stop you’ll see something new and have a chance to meet friendly and knowledgeable volunteers and homeowners ready to answer your questions and share practical tips.
A Special Stop on the Water-Wise Tour
I’m excited to share that my own home landscape is once again one of the stops on the Plano Water Wise Landscape Tour!
For 30 years my personal gardens have been a testing ground for cultivating native and well-adapted plants (plus herbs and edibles) with low water usage. Low-maintenance, drought- and heat-tolerant plants, along with rainwater harvesting techniques, come together to create a truly water-wise landscape.
My favorite water-wise landscape features are my rain gardens and dry stream beds. During rainstorms, water channels into swales in the dry stream bed, directing the rainwater to low spots. Rain gardens are depressions planted with plants adapted to both wet and dry conditions. Both dry stream beds and rain gardens are designed to promote infiltration of rainwater into the soil.
These features are not only attractive, they also help retain water during droughts and reduce runoff pollution from entering our precious waterways.
From Shady to Sunny
The last time I was on the tour was 2015, and a lot has changed since then. The biggest change was the loss of a huge ash tree two years ago, transforming the area from mostly shade to full sun. The sudden disappearance of the shady canopy initially stressed some plants: a few prized specimens, mostly non-natives, didn’t make it. But many of the native species have adapted to the increased light and are now thriving and flowering even more.
So even if you’ve visited before, stop by again this week to see how the garden has evolved. From the sunny transformation to the expanded creek beds and rain garden, there’s lots to see! Plus, I’ll be on-site to talk about the landscape, answer questions, and share tips.
For more info, check out the plant lists and tour guidelines. To stay in the loop about more events like this, follow Live Green in Plano.
Dallas WaterWise Tour
If you can’t make the Plano tour, Dallas’s Water Wise Landscape tour is on October 18, starting at the White Rock Pump Station. The event will feature entertainment, arts, crafts, and other activities. Experts will be on hand to answer questions.
From Inspiration to Installation: Plant This Fall
These garden tours are the perfect opportunity to see what thrives in our tough North Texas conditions. And here’s the best part: fall is an ideal time to put that inspiration into action. Cooler temperatures make it perfect for planting perennials and shrubs. This gives them time to establish strong roots before next summer’s heat arrives.
So make the most of these beautiful autumn days. With smart plant and design choices that work with nature instead of against it, you can create a beautiful, sustainable landscape that provides habitat for birds, pollinators, and other wildlife. And you’ll reduce your water bill!
If you have any questions about water-wise landscaping and design, leave me a comment below or drop me a line on Facebook. Better yet, come say hello on Saturday!
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