Xeriscape Gardening

Xeriscape Gardening: The Secret to a Robust, Water-Efficient Landscape

Xeriscape gardening is becoming increasingly popular.  The name is derived from the Greek work “xeros”, which means dry.  Xeriscaping is a type of gardening that focuses on plants and practices that require minimal irrigation.  Although the name suggests a dry and barren landscape, xeriscapes can be as simple as a few cacti or as complex as a formal European garden.  Water conservation lies in choosing a drought resistant alternative to a water loving plant.  A strong knowledge of  your local gardening hardiness zone and the alternative  plants that thrive in local conditions  is the key to design.  Gardening zone maps are tools that show where different permanent landscape plants can adapt., such as the lowest and highest temperatures and the amount and distribution of rainfall.  Alternative plants are plants that can grow and thrive with minimal watering.

Xeriscapes are divided into 3 zones:  Oasis, Transition and Low Water Use

• The Oasis zone is the area with the thirstiest plants. This area is  usually located closest to the house or a water source and typically receives less sun and is the most colorful of the 3 zones.  The idea is to prevent the need for trenching or transporting water to the outlying zones.
• The Transition zone is the moderate water use area with occasional irrigation and typically less maintenance.
• The Low Water Use zone requires infrequent to no irrigation and many times is part of the hardscape or patio.

Xeriscape designs focus on several key principles:

• Plants are grouped with similar water needs in to zones .
• Hydrozoning-Irrigation zones are created to match plant needs so schedules are not inherently wasteful; i.e, do not put seasonal flowers with hardy bushes.  Do not group plants with different water needs together in the same irrigation zone.
• Irrigation Design-Zones are designed appropriate to the level of coverage needed with no runoff. Technology of form meets function; i.e., rotors(large lawn), spray heads(ground cover), drip irrigation and bubblers(trees and flowers).
• Limit the turf-Use lawns for function so as recreational play but not for  aesthetics   Consider ground cover alternatives that require less water.
• Patio- Use hardscape design elements that complement the landscape but  that do not require water.
• Cover plants with mulch to retain moisture

Practice to Avoid:

Do not use plastic sheet cover,  gravel, rock or volcanic cinder. Plastics shed water and create wasteful runoff.   Instead,  use weed barrier fabrics found in garden centers.  These landscape fabrics allow air exchange and allow water to penetrate rather than be  wasted.

Alternative Xeriscape Plants:

Drought-tolerant Ground Covers: Liriope Asiatic jasmine Carolina jasmine Trumpet creeper Day lilies Creeping raspberry

Drought-  tolerant Shrubs: Dwarf yaupon holly Indian hawthorn Dwarf crepe myrtle Glossy Abelia