Dry garden plants can be colourful, as this display at the Otago Polytechnic Bannockburn campus shows. A dry garden is one way to reduce water use and cut household costs long-term. Otago Polytechnic’s Bannockburn campus is having an open day next week to show off an 18-month-old dry gravel garden. It was packed with dry-thriving, low-water plants that prove constant irrigation is not necessary to have a stunning garden, Mr Thurlow said. On Wednesday the day will offer a free dry garden tour.

Source: Otago Daily Times February 05, 2026 21:33 UTC