A garden which can survive a drought without the need for sprinklers and hose pipes has won a prestigious water efficiency award.

The Dry Garden at RHS Garden Hyde Hall, Rettendon, which covers 1,500 square metres and consists of 5,500 plants, has won the Leisure and Tourism category of the Environment Agency's Water Efficiency Awards 2003.

The garden has resulted in a direct saving of around 15,000 litres of water per month during the growing season.

Elliot Morley, Defra Minister for Water, said: "The Dry Garden has shown the way and we hope we will encourage others to follow the lead of these organisations in furthering water efficiency."

The plants in the Dry Garden have been selected to combine the essential characteristics required for the site - tolerance to drought, exposure and high light levels.

Published Monday, June 30, 2003

Brought to you by the Evening Echo