The Revitalist

The Christian Science Monitor has a nice article of the increasing awareness in some cities of using plants to control water issues (via Planetizen). In Denver, the Greenprint Denver program has been using the Mile High Youth Corps to replace lawns and traditional flower beds with xeriscaped (native plants only) beds. The idea is that native plants are more drought tolerant and will require less water, chemicals and maintenance. This is part of the City's overall green initiative, including planting 7,000 trees between Earth Day and Arbor Day this year. In Kansas City, they are tackling the opposite problem – too much water – by using thirsty plants in low-lying areas to soak up extra water and prevent run-off and floods. The program 10,000 Rain Gardens is working with the city's Water Services Dept to create rain gardens around the city and offering home owners training in using soggy native plants.

On the home front, ReadyMade Magazine shows you how to capture and reuse your storm water with a recycled laundry detergent dispenser. And the New England Wild Flower Society maintains extensive information on plants native to New England and how to grow them.