Xeriscape Landscaping (also mistakenly pronounced as Zeroscaping) is a style that requires little to no irrigation or other maintenance. Xeriscape is derived from the Greek word ‘Xeros’ meaning dry and was coined by the Denver Water Board. This style of landscaping is appropriate for arid regions, including Colorado.
While being water conscious, xeriscape incorporates native plants that grow well in our climate (which also benefits the environment). This provides food sources for local pollinators, birds and other wildlife. A goal of installing xeriscape is to reduce or eliminate chemicals that are often used on grass areas. It gives you therapeutic qualities with being outside and working in the landscape.
If you want to still have a water feature design in your xeriscape, there are those that still use water very responsibly. A pondless water feature that re-circulates the same water is fairly efficient in terms of how much water is used. When a liner and/or basin is used below the feature, it retains the same water with extremely minimal loss.
Xeriscaping is a more comprehensive approach that often gets overlooked. Below is a list of the main important principles of xeriscaping.
7 Principles of Xeriscaping:
Panning and Designing
Having a plan that is perfectly suited to your needs and wants is the first step in the success of an efficient xeriscape. The main point of installing xeriscape is to limit the amount of grass lawn area on your property.
- Design a layout for the high and low trafficked areas for the right placement of plants, turf, etc.
- Take notes of problem areas that are difficult to water and maintain
- Wildlife habitats incorporated and nectar plants for pollinators
- Possible permaculture concepts applied
While it may not seem like it, soil preparation is a very important step in the xeriscape design & installation process. Some areas along the Front Range are known to have very poor clay soils.
- Properly amending soil to accommodate for plants that need well-drained conditions
- The end goal is to have healthy, living soil using organic fertilizers and composts, with no chemical fertilizers
- Acclimating the soil with the proper compost where needed
- Depleted soils in areas of new construction need the most attention
Practical Turf Areas
Related to Step 1, proper planning is critical. Landscaping based on xeriscape principles can incorporate grass areas. Main key point is to limit the lawn area to what you need for the activities you want in your yard.
- Plan practical grass/lawn areas so that they fit the need of the homeowner’s use
- Don’t incorporate grass areas where they are not needed/used and don’t have high foot traffic ( not on hot hills, near concrete, etc)
- High-traffic areas are best left to turf grasses (ex. bluegrass, that can take the wear)
- Properly placed turf will minimize water and chemical use in the landscape
Every plant within the xeriscape landscape may have different and specific watering requirements
- Some plants require more water than other plants, which means to have a regulated/adjustable efficient irrigation system
- Use a drip irrigation system for most non-turf beds; higher water plants will efficiently use less water on a drip system
- Allocating the appropriate amount of water to each plant and each area will make your landscape as water-efficient as possible
- Incorporate rainwater harvesting to recycle natural water and less water use!
Appropriate Plant Selection
The main focus of installing xeriscape on your property is for water conservation. This includes emphasizing plants that are drought-resistant. As your landscaper, we can help you choose plants that fit your yards needs.
- Use of native plants that may be heat tolerant and don’t have high water demands
- Still offers beautiful blooms, shade, and other great-looking features
- Provides food sources for local pollinators, birds and other wildlife
Mulch can help keep roots of plants in the landscape cooler because it holds moisture.
- Mulch is most beneficial when it is applied directly around plants bec