Ruud Kleinpaste: What to do in your garden now El Niño is back

<p><span>We’ve been warned – a dry spell is coming our way this summer in the form of El Niño. (little Boy!)</span> </p> <p><span>We’ve seen this before, of course but I reckon it may need a bit of a reminder:</span> </p> <p><span>Temperatures, Rainfall and Wind direction are the key elements of the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) phenomenon. El Niño is characterised by more westerly winds, dropping more rain on the west coasts and less rain on the east coast.</span> </p> <p><span>It also tends to create warmer summer temperatures in the east, making the drought conditions even trickier for gardeners. The North Island may likely see the worst effects.</span> </p> <p><span>Keeping water tanks as full as possible might be a good idea.</span> </p> <p><span>Planting drought-tolerant species will certainly ease the stress; so I went on a hunt for species that would be reasonably drought-tolerant. Southern Woods (South of Christchurch) has a good range of trees, shrubs and plants and Chris Smith sent me a few great tips, as well as a list of their best performers during El Niño.</span> </p> <p><span>Brachyglottis greyii – Daisy Bush (aka shaggy Ragwort)</span> </p> <p><span>Brachyglottis monroi – Monro’s Daisy; evergreen with yellow flowers</span> </p> <p><span>Carmichaelia australis – common native broom – an insect magnet</span> </p> <p><span>Coprosma acerosa – ground cover for dry/hot/coastal</span> </p> <p><span>Coprosma brunnea – wiry ground cover with white to blue fruits; cold tolerant too. Birds and Lizards</span> </p> <p><span>Coprosma crassifolia – divaricated shrub with small leaves – North and South Island</span> </p> <p><span>Coprosma rugosa – “Needle-leaved Mountain coprosma – nice orange-brown species – stands out!</span> </p> <p><span>Coprosma virescens – an orange and green species – another favourite of mine;</span> </p> <p><span>Cordyline australis – good old cabbage tree: hardy in wetlands and in drought! Pain for lawnmowers</span> </p> <p><span>Corokia cotoneaster - My plant to find native bees