Xeriscape is a combination of seven common-sense gardening principles that save water while creating a lush and colorful landscape. Xeriscapes do not have a single look, almost any landscaping style can be achieved. The principles can be applied to all or part of a yard, in any geographic region of North America. Originally developed for drought-afflicted areas, the principles of Xeriscape today have an ever broadening appeal. With water now considered an expensive and limited resource, all landscaping projects, residential or commercial, can benefit from this alternative.
Benefits
Saves Water - For most of North America, over 50% of residential water used is applied to landscape and lawns. Xeriscape can reduce landscape water use by 50 - 75%.
Less Maintenance - Aside from occasional pruning and weeding, maintenance is minimal. Watering requirements are low, and can be met with simple irrigation systems.
No Fertilizers or Pesticides - Using plants native to your area will eliminate the need for chemical supplements. Sufficient nutrients are provided by healthy organic soil.
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Improves Property Value - A good Xeriscape can raise property values which more than offset the cost of installation. Protect your landscaping investment by drought-proofing it.
Pollution Free - Fossil fuel consumption from gas mowers is minimized or eliminated with minimal turf areas. Small turf areas can be maintained with a reel mower.
Provides Wildlife Habitat - Use of native plants, shrubs and trees offer a familiar and varied habitat for local wildlife.
1. Planning and Design
The fundamental element of Xeriscape design is water conservation. Landscape designers constantly look for ways to reduce the amount of applied water and to maximize the use of natural precipitation. Familiarize yourself with the 7 Principles of Xeriscaping and take a tour of your local nurseries to see what drought-resistant plantings are available locally. Using graph paper, draw an aerial view of your property and begin your plan with the following considerations:
~ orient the plot by marking down north, south, east and west. Include any limiting features such as trees, fences, walkways or structures. Note areas of sun and shade, which will help you establish zones of differing water needs. You'll want to group plants with similar watering needs for most efficient water use.
~ study the natural contours and drainage patterns of the land. These countours can be easily developed into terraces, which add visual interest and help reduce soil loss and erosion due to rain or irrigation. Terraces can be as little as 3" and still offer visual appeal; terraces over 12" will require considerable support, such as rock walls or timbers reinforced with steel stakes.
~ Consider the planned use of each area within the plot. Areas for seating, walkways, visual barriers, dining or play should be defined and incorporated into your plan.
~ Areas to be left as turf should be designed to be easily mowed. Curved swaths are usually better than straight runs with sharp turns. Narrow swaths can be difficult to water with conventional sprinklers.
~ Larger plantings, such as shrubs and trees, can be positioned to provide natural heating and cooling opportunities for adjacent buildings.
2. Soil Improvement
The ideal soil in a water-conserving landscape does two things simultaneously: it drains quickly and stores water at the same time. This is achieved by increasing the amount of organic material in your soil and keeping it well aerated. Compost is the ideal organic additive, unless your xeriscape contains many succulents and cacti. These species prefer lean soil may be worthwhile to have your soil tested at a garden center or by using a home test kit. Most Western soils tend to be alkaline (high pH) and low in phosphorous. Adding bonemeal and rock phosphate will help.
3. Create Limited Turf Areas
Reduce the size of turf areas as much as possible, while retaining some turf for open space, functionality and visual appeal. When planting new turf, or reseeding existing lawns, asks at your garden center for water-saving species adapted to your area.
4. Use Appropriate Plants
For best results, select plants that are native to your region
~ use drought-resistant plants. In general, these plants have leaves which are small, thick, glossy, silver-grey or fuzzy - all characteristics which help them save water.
~ Select plants for their ultimate size. This reduces pruning maintenance.
~ For hot, dry areas with south and west exposure, use plants which need only a minimum of water. Along north and east-facing slopes and walls, choose plants that like more moisture. Most importantly, don't mix plants with high- and low-watering needs in the same planting area.
~ Trees help to reduce evaporation by blocking wind and shading the soil.
5. Mulch
Cover the soil's surface around plants with mulch, such as leaves, coarse compost, pine needles, wood chips, bark or gravel. Mulch helps retain soil moisture and temperature, prevent erosion and block out competing weeds. Organic mulch will slowly incorporate with the soil, and will need more applied, "top-dressed", from time to time. To be effective, mulch needs to be several inches thick. There should be no areas of bare soil.
6. Irrigate
Water conservation is the goal, so avoid over watering. Soaker hoses and drip-irrigation systems offer the easiest and most efficient watering for xeriscapes because they deliver water directly to the base of the plant. This reduces moisture loss from evaporation. They also deliver the water at a slow rate which encourages root absorption and reduces pooling and erosion. In general, it's best to water deeply and less frequently.
7. Maintain your landscape
Low-maintenance is one of the benefits of xeriscape. Keeping the weeds from growing up through the mulch may require some attention. Thickening the layer of mulch will help. Turf areas should not be cut too short - taller grass is natural mulch which shades the roots and helps retain moisture. Avoid over fertilizing.
Here are some popular xeriscape plantings; this listing is by no means complete. Consult with your local garden center for recommended local (native) varieties.
Perennials
Arizona columbine
Artemisias
Asters
Baby's Breath
Blue Pineleaf beardtongue
Columbine
Coreopsis
Delphinium
Echinacea
Gaillardia
Gayfeather
Iris
Lamb's Ears
Lavender
Pansy
Perennial Flax
Poppy Mallow
Purple Coneflower
Red Valerian
Sages
Scarlet Hedgenettle
Sedums
Statice
Sweet William
Texas Hummingbird mint
Tulips and Crocuses
Yarrow
Yellow Black-eyed Susan
Yucca
Statice
Vinca Passion
Zinnias
Rose Campion
Santolina
Red Plume Blanket
Annuals
Cosmos
Desert Dragon
Desert Pea-Ganzania
Marigold
Mexican Sunflower
Pentas
Phlox Portulacca Sundia
Before planting flowers, improve the soil to foster root growth. Most perennials and annuals require full sun; only a few will flower in partial shade. Most flowers do poorly in heavy clay, due to lack of oxygen to their roots. Sandy soils may have poor water-holding capacity and be low in available minerals. If either extreme is true in your yard, do not plant perennial flowers the first year or two. Improve the soil with sphagnum peat or compost until the soil is easily worked and does not compact. Perennial flowers may then be planted.
Shrubs
Butterfly bush
Smoke tree
Washington Hawthorne
Japanese black pine
Cinquefoil
Fragrant Zumac
Mountain Currant
Sassafras
Honeysuckle
Witch hazel
Rugosa Roses
Bayberry
Snowberry
Spirea
California lilac
Heather
Trees
Acacia
Aralia
Bottle Tree
Gray Birch
Common Pater Mulberry
European Hackberry
Carob
Monterey Cypress
Eucalyptus
Fig
Juniper
Osage Orange
Chinaberry
Common Olive
White Poplar
Black Locust Siberia
Elm
Gray Dogwood
Amur Maple
Succulents (leaf color)
Aconium arborium – green
Cotyledon orbiculata -gray- green, red-edged
Crassula argentea - 'Sunset', yellow, tinged red
C. 'Campfire' - green, turns orange-red with maturity
Dudleya brittonii - chalky blue
Echeveria agavoides 'Ruby-Lips '- green, tips reddish brown
Kalanchoe pumila - lavender
Sedum adolphii - orange,bronze
S. rubrotinctum 'Aurora' - pink to bronze
Sempervivum tectorum - gray green, tipped reddish brown
Senecio serpens - blue-gray
S. mandraliscae - blue-gray
Succulents (flower color)
Aconium floribundum – yellow
Aloe aristata - orange-red
A.saponaria - orange to pink
A. vera – yellow
Bulbine cuulescens – lemon
Crassula falcata - deep red
C. multicava – pink
Delosperma cooperi – purple
D. nubigenum - golden yellow
Echeveria elegans – pink
E. imbricata - orange-red
E. pulvinata – red
E. Set-oliver - red and yellow
Kalanchoe pumila – lavender
Lampranthus productus – purple
L. aurantiacus – orange
L. spectabilis - pink, red, purple
Resources
www.eartheasy.com/grow_xeriscape.htm
www.xeriscape.org/resources.html
www.greenbuilder.com/sourcebook/Xeriscape.html
www.ccconserv.org/water-wise.html
www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/xeriscape
www.greenermagazine.blogspot.com/2006/03/carnival-of-green-20.html
www.usbr.gov/lc/region/g4000/wtrconsv.html
www.xeriscape.com/xeriscaped.htm
www.flickr.com/photos/edgeplot/63450609
www.flickr.com/photos/montanaraven/tags/xeriscape/
www.xeriscape.org/irrigatearticle.html
