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Is the Drought Back?


After a somewhat wet and cool summer, followed by an unseasonably dry winter, the age old question of 'Is a drought coming' has reared its head again.
Winter of 2012 was one of the driest on record, recording well below average levels of rainfall. This is a trend expected to continue through to spring, particularly for areas of Southern SA, Southern NSW, VIC, TAS and northern QLD, with the BOM rating the chances of below normal rainfall levels at 60-75%.
Summary of winter rainfall levels, Richmond NSW:


Month

Rainfall recorded (mm)

Average (mm)

May 2012

13.6

52.8

Jun 2012

72.4

49

Jul 2012

15.8

37.9

Aug 2012

4.8

50.9

*Statistics taken from Bureau of Meterology website. Averages taken from Richmond UWS Hawkesbury site, 1981-2010.
Persistent warmer than normal waters in the Indian Ocean and data taken from key indicators show renewed trends that are consistent with a return to El Nina weather patterns. This means that for every ten years with ocean patterns like the current, about six to eight spring periods would be expected to be warmer than average, with about two to four of them being cooler than average. Therefore the outlook for spring temperatures across Australia is likely to exceed the median maximum temperature by at least 60% in the following regions: northern Kimberley in WA; northern and central NT; eastern SA; TAS; VIC, NSW & QLD. Probabilities rise above 75% over the eastern Top End of the NT and parts of northern Queensland.
With such a trend for a dryer climate ahead, the importance of using drought tolerant plants and turf will now become a forerunner in the future of landscaping. Ozbreed have been breeding and trailing many successful drought tolerant plants and turf for years, and have found proven success with the stunning tough roadside plants such as Tanika® Lomandra longifolia  and Little Jess™ Dianella caerulea  to name a few. Recently completed research on 'Measuring Drought tolerance in Plants' gathered information that helps landscape architects and designers choose drought tolerant plants based on real world data and accurate measurements. This will not only ensure more reliable landscapes, but measures how much water these plants require to not only remain alive, but to also look healthy.
            A comprehensive list of plants that survived drought and proven to be in the low water use category are detailed below:


Plants that survived drought

Tanika® Lomandra longifolia ‘LM300’ PBR

Little JessTM  Dianella caerulea ‘DCMP01’ PBR

Lomandra longfolia ‘Katrinus Deluxe’ PBR

MeemaTM  Hardenbergia violacea ‘HB1’ PBR

Kunzea ambigua

NaringaTM  Westringia ‘WES01’ PBR

MundiTM  Westringia fruticosa ‘WES05’ PBR

Anigozanthos hybrid ‘Gold Velvet’ PBR

Nyalla® Lomandra longfolia ‘LM400’ PBR

Xanthorrhoea spp.

Westringia fruticosa (well established common forms)

Doryanthes excelsea

Casuarina cunninghamiana (all lived but were mature 7 yr old plants)

Callistemon Captain Cook

Callistemon Kings Park Special

Callistemon Endeavour (about 10% died)

Callistemon Little John

LuciaTM  Dianella caerulea ‘DC101’ PBR

Poa Eskdale

Nafray® Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘PA300’ PBR

Purple Lea® Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘PA400’ PBR

PennstripeTM Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘PAV300’ PBR

Imperata Cylindrica (Note: this native Australian type is far more drought tough than the Rubra form from Japan.)

 

For more information on the research 'Measuring Drought Tolerance in Plants', please follow link and download PDF: http://www.ozbreed.com.au/plant-turf-research.html
For more information on drought tolerant plants and turf: http://www.ozbreed.com.au/
** Information and statistics on projected outlooks are taken from the BOM website.

Ozbreed are renowned for their intensive and far reaching research, bringing specifiers and users of our products more comprehensive information and confidence in our products.

 

Tanika® Lomandra longifolia ‘LM300’ PBR in drought (right, brown grass on left)

Imperata cylindrica in drought

Xanthorrhoea in drought

Poa Eskdale PBR in drought