The Okanagan Xeriscape Association
Welcome
Rooted here. Growing a water-conscious Okanagan.
The Okanagan is one of the most beautiful, but most climate-stressed landscapes in Canada. Longer droughts, hotter summers, shrinking snowpack, and growing wildfire risk are reshaping our valley in ways that can no longer be ignored.
The Okanagan Xeriscape Association believes this is not a problem to be resigned to. It is an invitation to garden differently.
Since 2009, we’ve been helping homeowners, gardeners, and communities create landscapes that work with our climate rather than against it, conserving water while proving that sustainable gardens can be stunning ones.
Every Okanagan yard that embraces xeriscape principles is a small part of a large, collective answer to our region’s water and wildfire challenge. Your garden matters more than you might think.
Explore our plant database, visit our demonstration gardens in Kelowna and West Kelowna, take a workshop, or just start browsing our website. However you arrived here, you’re in the right place.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Dig With Sig
Kelowna
Date: Fridays
Time: 9 am – 11 pm
Location: UnH2O Garden
4075 Gordon Drive
Come garden with Sigrie Kendrick, OXA’s executive director and master gardener! This is a great opportunity to learn more about xeriscape plants and landscaping.
You do not need to be an OXA member to join us– simply come along with gloves and a trowel.
Shop OXA Plants Now
Kelowna
Location: Wildbloom Nursery
840 Old Vernon Road
Sales of our own propagated plants are our primary fundraiser of the year– so please support us and add some xeric beauty to your garden!
Wild Bloom also has a selection of both native and xeriscape plants available for sale.
Flower Power Garden Tour
Kelowna
The UnH2O Demonstration Garden was established by OXA in September 2009. After a decade and a half, we need to ReFresh! We need updated signage, new plants and an updated irrigation system.
Visit our fundraiser page to read complete details on this project, including all payment options and please join us!
Learn
About Xeriscape
What is xeriscape and why it is perfect for the Okanagan environment? Learn how you can start conserving water in your own landscape.
7 Principles of Xeriscape
Xeriscape WORKSHOPS
Find out about upcoming workshops on waterwise gardening. We also offer presentations for groups or organizations.
Get Inspired
The UnH2O Garden
A complete guide to each of our UnH2O Demonstration Garden themed beds– a 4,000 square foot garden, planted in 2010, which includes six theme areas to illustrate xeriscape possibilities. (See the Get Inspired tab in our main menu)
Xeriscape Stories
Our Xeriscape Garden Stories include photographs and stories showing xeriscape in action right here in several gardens in the Okanagan including winners from our 2011 and 2013 Xeriscape Garden Contests.
Resources
Informative resources, including an extensive list of the best books on xeriscape for our climate, links to websites, and a directory of xeriscape gardens to visit in the Okanagan, including our UnH2O and Spirit Square Garden.
We would like to thank the Okanagan Basin Water Board for their support and funding
Did you know?
- There is LESS water available per person in the Okanagan than anywhere else in Canada
- The Okanagan has one of the highest rates of water use per person in Canada
- The 2nd largest use of water in the Okanagan is for watering our household lawns & gardens
Here’s a reminder to check out the Make Water Work website to make your pledge to reduce water waste.
You will also find valuable information such as these useful PDF publications–
Make Water Works Tip Sheet and Make Water Works Plant Collection
Xeriscape is a very effective way to Make Water Work.
We are grateful for additional key funds and grants received from:
