Xeriscape Garden Projects - Summerland Ornamental Gardens

Xeriscape Gardening

The Summerland Ornamental Gardens were originally designed to help new residents, many from rainy climates such as the U.K., choose ornamental plants suitable for the dry Okanagan climate.

Today, the Friends of the Gardens continues to fulfil this mission with the following objective through xeriscape gardening workshops and demonstration gardens:

“To educate the public in ornamental horticulture and effective water use, by demonstrating the range of plants species and water requirements possible in the Okanagan area.”

Most xeriscape plants are low-maintenance. In the gardens, we show you a variety of xeriscape plantings which look great but don’t require the pampering that water-loving plants need.

Xeriscape trees. shrubs and grasses, as well as perennial and annual flowering plants, cover the entire growing season with colour from early spring till late fall. Visit the gardens throughout the year to see for yourself and keep an eye on our events page for upcoming xeriscape gardening workshops.

Okanagan Xeriscape Association

This is an abundant resource for everything associated with Xeriscape. Find all you need here, including The 7 Principles of Xeriscape and an incredible searchable Plant Database for the Okanagan.

Native Plant Society of BC

Close to 200 people from British Columbia and beyond who appreciate, enjoy, study and work with BC’s native plants and their habitats. Includes a wealth of information on identification, conservation, gardening with native plants and more.

Link to the Okanagan and Similkameen Invasive Species Society by Summerland Ornamental Gardens

Okanagan & Similkameen Invasive Species Society

An informative site focusing on the prevention, detection and management of invasive plants in the Okanagan-Similkameen. Learn how to identify, deal with and report invasive species as well as find out about toxic plants.