Waiting On Rain: How to Deal with Drought

By Brett Kerley

Over the past many years we’ve all heard about climate change and how the temperatures are rising slightly each year. That’s true and it’s something we should all be working to correct. In Edmonton, we’ve had dry winters, then we’ll get heavy cold snowy winters and all say “what climate change?” but it’s the spring, summer and fall that people forget about. Some years, Edmonton can be classed as a desert region; drought is not good for all those people wanting to keep a nice lush green lawn.

First, what is a desert? According to the National Geographic, deserts are areas that receive very little precipitation. When most of us think of deserts, we picture mounds of sand, lifeless barren areas, maybe some cacti, or lizards running around. There are many different types of deserts around the world but most experts agree that the one thing they all have in common is that they are arid or dry. So here in Edmonton, if we receive no more than 10 inches (25 cm) of precipitation in a year then we are actually classed as a desert region for that year. Looking back over the last 25 years, a lot of them were hovering just around that amount of 10 inches and so far in 2024 we’ve had just about 8 inches.

Drought-stressed lawn.

Next on the list are those beautifully manicured lawns. I understand some people love getting out the mower once or twice a week to achieve that perfect cut of a golf green and to be the envy of the neighbourhood. One of the main problems with lawns is that they often contrast so strongly with native ecosystems. The grasses used in your typical cookie-cutter lawn don’t thrive naturally in arid areas. During a drought or in an area like Edmonton that doesn’t get substantial rain in the summer, you’re likely to need to thoroughly water your grass at least once a week. Don’t cut your grass at all during a heat wave. Leave it about 4” (10 cm) so that the roots can grab any moisture that’s still in your soil below. If you cut lower, you’ll start noticing your grass turning brown and drying out.

Now onto plants. Trees are vital for our city to stay cooler. Our beautiful city has one of the largest disease-free Dutch Elm collections on the continent, boasting around 80,000 trees worth a staggering 2 billion dollars. But, because of this monoculture, problems can arise; there is a big risk that pests and diseases can come in and can wipe out every elm in the region. The city is addressing this issue and are now planting a variety of other trees like oaks and maples. It’s going to take time for these new trees to grow but at least we’re going towards polyculture which will help for the future. A nice tree canopy will shade your house and bring the temperature down by a couple of degrees. In the meantime, you can plant trees, shrubs and other plants that are drought tolerant. If you’re struggling to choose, go native. Our native plants are used to these hot dry spells and can go weeks without water. Search for ‘Edmonton Plants in Edmonton Ecozone’ under the city of Edmonton webpage, or check out the Edmonton Native Plant Society https://www.enps.ca/. These are both great resources to get you started.

Trees

For those that have huge yards there are so many to choose from. But for the rest of us here are a few of my favourite trees for small to medium-sized yards:

Limber Pine (Pinus flexilis)

Here in the West most pines adapt well to dry conditions. The question is, how big of a tree do you want? Do a little research to find the best looking one that will fit your yard. The Limber pine is native, has bluish green foliage and attracts a host of birds and squirrels. It’s one of the smaller varieties.

Pin Cherry (Prunus pensylvanica)

A smallish tree that has beautiful red leaves in the fall, and its reddish brown bark makes it very attractive for the winter time. The fruit is quite sour but can be eaten fresh or made into a jelly or jam. The birds love the berries and will be attracted to your yard.

Shrubs and perennials

When it comes to shrubs and perennials there are so many to choose from, it really depends on size, form, flower colour, and location. Here are some drought tolerant plants I think you should consider:

Prickly Rose (Rosa acicularis)

Alberta’s provincial rose, also known as Alberta’s Wild Rose it has beautiful pink blooms, but can get thick thorny stems. Attracts a whole bunch of wildlife after its rose hips. Growers have been using these hips for many years in jams, jellies and tea. Another similar rose is the Common Wild Rose (Rosa woodsii)

Prairie Coneflower (Ratibida columnifera)

This easy to grow drought tolerant plant loves the sun, with its petals resembling a sombrero, hence the nickname Mexican hat plant. It’s smaller than most coneflowers at 2-3 feet tall. It attracts butterflies and honeybees and can be sown from seed quite easily.

Dotted Blazing Star (Liatris punctate)

This late summer bloomer lights up sunny gardens with its feathery flower spikes just as most wildflowers are going into seed. Dotted Blazing Stars are drought tolerant and seem to flourish in drier years. An excellent choice for any native plant gardens, rock gardens or perennial borders. Loved by bees, butterflies and birds.