The word "Xeriscape" (pronounced ZEER-i-scape) is derived from the greek word "Xeros," meaning "dry." Xeriscape is a term used for water conservation in landscaping.

Xeriscape is not just rocks and cactus. It is an attractive, sustainable, and water efficient landscaping method. With Xeriscape you can create a beautiful landscape while reducing water use and maintenance.

Seven Basic Principles of Xeriscape

Planning and Design

Whether you are creating a new landscape or renovating an existing one, developing a plan can save you time and money. Drawing up a plan will allow you to take into account any existing vegetation, what you personally like, how you will use your landscape and how much time you want to spend on maintenance. In addition, with a well thought-out plan you can install your landscape in phases.

Soil Improvements

Good soil is the foundation for any successful landscape. Like most of the front-range, sandy and clay soils are prevalent in Aurora. Adding organic matter, such as aged manure and compost, can help retain water in sandy soils and increase water infiltration in clay soils.

Create Practical Turf Areas

Traditionally, bluegrass is used throughout the metro area in commercial and residential landscapes. Bluegrass is lush and hardy, but in our climate it requires a substantial amount of supplemental watering. You can certainly use Bluegrass in your xeriscape, but limit it to areas in your yard where it will be used for recreation or pets. Turf can be replaced by other less water-demanding plants such as groundcovers, shrubs, or native grasses. Use alternative plants especially in areas where turf is hard to care for like slopes and narrow strips. Patios, decks or mulches can also add beauty to your landscape while saving water.

Use Mulch

Mulches cover the soil and cool it while minimizing evaporation, reducing weed growth and slowing erosion. Mulches also give beds a finished look and increase the visual appeal of your landscape. Organic mulches, like bark or wood chips, will decompose over time adding nutrients to your soil. Inorganic mulches, like rock, rarely need to be replaced but tend to retain and radiate heat.

Efficient Irrigation

A Xeriscape can be watered efficiently with an automatic sprinkler system or by hand. When installing an automatic system design the zones so that plants receive only the amount of water they require. For more efficient use of water, irrigate turf areas separately with low-pressure, low-angle sprinklers. Drip or bubbler emitters are most efficient for watering planting beds.

Zone Plants

Different areas in your yard receive different amounts of sun, wind and moisture. Use these "microclimates" to your advantage. Group plants with similar water and sun needs together and place them in the appropriate environment in your yard. Grouping plants allows you to water more efficiently, reduce waste and optimizes plant growth.

Maintenance

All landscaping, whether high water-requiring or drought tolerant, requires maintenance. But with proper planning and design, maintenance costs and time can be reduced in a xeriscape. Maintain a regular schedule of well-timed mowing and fertilizing of your reduced grass areas. Pruning, pest control and weeding help ensure that your landscape will look good for years to come.

Examples

Detailed plans for Xeriscape gardens and beds are available below. These files are large and you should save them to your computer by "Right-Clicking" and then saving.  This way, you can view or print these examples, even when you are not online.

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Example 1        Example 2        Example 3        Example 4

Other Xeriscape Resources:

Plant Talk
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www.ext.colostate.edu/ptlk/index.html