Xeriscape: definition, tips, resources

GREEN GARDENING - What is Xeriscape?

A philosophy of conservation of water through creative landscaping has engendered the new term, xeriscape.

The term xeriscape is derived from the Greek word xeros meaning dry, combined with landscaping, thus xeriscaping. The term was coined by the Front Range Xeriscape Task Force of the Denver Water Department in 1981. The goal of a xeriscape is to create a visually attractive landscape that uses plants selected for their water efficiency. Properly maintained, a xeriscape can easily use less than one-half the water of a traditional landscape. Once established, a xeriscape should require less maintenance than turf landscape.

Advantages

• Lower water bills
• More water available for other uses and other people (such as showers, sinks, hoses etc.)
• Less time and work needed for maintenance, making gardening more simple and stress-free
• Little or no lawnmowing (saves energy)
• Xeriscape plants along with proper bed design tends to take full advantage of rainfall
• When water restrictions are implemented, xeriscape plants will tend to survive, while more traditional plants may be unable to adapt.

Disadvantages

• May require more start-up work to prepare beds for planting than simply laying soil
• Some homeowners' associations may object to non-traditional plants. However, some states, such as Florida, possess regulations pertaining to homeowner's associations that make it unlawful to include a clause prohibiting "property owner from implementing Xeriscape or Florida-friendly landscape, as defined in s. 373.185(1), on his or her land." (Ref: 720.3075.4 Prohibited clauses in association documents). In 2007, Arizona enacted similar legislation.
• Xeriscape beds require periodic maintenance which is more involved than simply mowing and edging, especially to maintain color
• Weeds and trash may also be more of a problem than in a traditional lawn.

Resources

• Albuquerque Bernalillo Water Authority - Xeriscaping
• Videos, CDs & DVDs (check your local library for titles) from Colorado Water Wise
• Seven Principles of Xeriscape from Texas Agricultural Extension Service
• Planning and Design from High Plains Gardening
• Xerisacape Friendly Plants Online Database
• Herbs in the Xeriscape Garden
• Water Information for Albuquerque
• Sample landscape designs with videos and photos from Southern Nevada Water Authority
• Gardens to visit from Xeriscape Council of New Mexico
• Order plants online from Plants of the Southwest

Xeric Design Templates

Kaleidoscapes (80KB PDF) - Judith Phillips creates vivid, striking plant arrangements with abundant textures and rotating, colorful perennials.

Greenscapes (69KB PDF) - David Cristiani combines contouring with groundcovers, grasses, vines, shrubs and trees for a lush, green xeriscape year-round.

Loungescapes (95KB PDF) - George Radnovich blends dramatic native and xeric plants for a spectacular lower-maintenance xeriscape.

Wildscapes (109KB PDF) - Judith Phillips balances copious blooming perennials with intensely aromatic plants to attract abundant local wildlife.

Hotscapes (91KB PDF) - David Cristiani fuses succulent textures and groupings that thrive in full sun and high heat for impressive visual impact.

Coolscapes (75KB PDF) - George Radnovich orchestrates an elegant, simple mixture of ornamental plants and features for north-facing xeriscapes.