Landscaping in dry climates may have you thinking cactus and rock, but there are so many more opportunities awaiting that do not include high water bills. Dry climate landscaping can include designs with water saving techniques such as using Xeriscape principles, rain water harvesting, or using drought tolerant native plants.
What is Xeriscaping?
First, let’s discuss what Xeriscaping is not. Xeriscaping is not Zeroscaping, or Xeroscaping, which essentially is no landscaping at all. ‘Xeri’ comes from the Greek word meaning ‘dry’. Xeriscaping incorporates principles that reduce outdoor water use, but still allows you to have some areas in your yard that provide greenness and the cooling that comes with that green.
Designing Using Xeriscape Principles
Xeriscape principles begin by dividing your back yard into zones. Within these zones, landscaping consists of drought tolerant, desert adapted and native plants, a drip irrigation system, and mulching to conserve moisture in the soil.
The zone closest to the house is where you can plant selected container plantings, a small water fountain, and a patch of grass. The next zone as you move away from your house is the transition zone. This is where you can plant drought tolerant (but not necessarily native) plants. The outer zone is where you either leave undisturbed desert, or plant natives.
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