Deriving from the Greek word “xeros”, meaning dry, xeriscape is a landscape design that combines the use of native and drought resistant plants and trees and the existing environment with a goal of water conservation. Many believe that xeriscape landscaping means a rock and cacti yard but this is untrue. With the right selection of plants, trees, and shrubs a xeriscaped yard can be just as colorful as any other yard with the added benefit of up to a 50% reduction is water usage.
Xeriscape is an excellent choice for Arizona’s desert climate. Some of the advantages of xeriscaping are low water consumption, low maintenance, little or no lawnmowing, and plant sustainability in the event of water restrictions and drought.
When designing your yard take in consideration the following components of xeriscape:
- Design
Identify sunny, shady, and sloped areas of your yard. Try to group plants with similar watering needs together. Place plants that have a greater need for water in more shaded areas. - Soil
Find the appropriate soil for your plants. Good soil will help a plant consume all the moisture available to it. - Turf
Since lawns use the greatest amount of water try to use grasses that are relatively drought-resistant. Another option is to install artificial grass which requires no water but looks and feels like the real thing. - Plant
Selection Use plants that are native to the area. For more variety you can also use plants that are native to similar climates. - Irrigation
Install an efficient irrigation system. Use low-volume, low-angle sprinkler for grass and drip or spray emitters for flowers, shrubs, and groundcover. Use a timer so each zone gets just the right amount of water. - Mulch
Use a mulch to conserve moisture and control weeds. - Maintenance
When designing your yard consider how much time you have to spend on weeding, pruning, feeding, watering, and pest control. Plan your yard accordingly. A xeriscape landscape, like any other, looks best with regular maintenance.
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