Planting Drought-Resistant Flowers

With crops dying in the fields and suburban lawns parched yellow, how could flowers survive in this summer's heat and lack of rain?

Niles is attempting to find out.

At the July 24 village board meeting, Trustee Rosemary Palicki, who heads the Environmental Practices Committee, said the village is experimenting with native plants and drought-resistant plants.

Because they're better adapted to this climate, they have deeper roots and can survive the extremes of weather conditions.

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They also would save money in water costs, as well as provide a savings from not having to buy new annuals each year, she said.

The village has planted four large hanging baskets on street poles at or near the Oakton Street and Waukegan Road intersection, at a cost of $600, she said.

"They don't look that big from the ground, but when you see them up close, they're huge," she added.

If the experiment is successful, the village may decide to replace more annuals with native plants.