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Summer of 2007 was a real eye-opener for hundreds of gardeners around the country. Statistics proved it wasn't just our own gardens that were suffering from the lack of rain - one-third of the country was under some level of drought conditions. Having moved from a lush city lot with abundant water at hand to a rural setting on a hill serviced by a not-so-abundant well, I learned quickly that my plant choices would have to change.
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 Xeriscaping* is a term coined and trademarked by the Denver Water Department in Colorado, and means designing an area with drought conditions and reduced water consumption as the focus. This doesn't mean green concrete decorated with boulders, although at times that seems very appealing to me! Southwestern states have used these practices for years, but the day is coming when we all need to better utilize our water and land resources if we don't want to end up with green concrete. According to a 2004 press release by Santa Fe Greenhouses/High Country Gardens, "properly maintained, a xeriscape can easily use less than one-half the water of a traditional, bluegrass-lawn dominated landscape."
One-half. Think about that.
Hydrozoning
Whether you plan to completely redesign your landscape, or just implement a few xeriscaped areas, hydrozoning is key. Grouping plants with similar water needs and climatic conditions reduces maintenance; cacti and succulents would never be planted with hosta or lilies.
Your property will have three main zones: 1) arid, 2) transition, and 3) oasis.
- Oasis zones are usually close to the house to benefit from rain runoff or the protection of shade.
- Transition zones combine drier areas with those needing low or moderate moisture.
- Arid zones would be farthest from the house and in low-traffic areas; often these areas are natural habitat or planted with native or drought-tolerant specimens.
In the Beginning
As with any gardening project, soil, exposure and drainage are important. Drought-resistant plants are usually sun-loving, so they will thrive in that brutally unprotected part of your landscape; most can tolerate some morning shade. Consider where the specimens originated; what are the conditions in their native habitat? Amend your soil to provide a similar environment. Clay soil, especially, is problematic for almost all plants, as it does not absorb water easily, nor drain quickly. Check all specifications for any plant you are considering for a clay-dominated area.
Even drought-tolerant species must be watered to become established. Water these new specimens the same as you would normally; but be aware that frequent shallow watering promotes shallow roots that are not as efficient in a xeriscape system. Shrubs and trees will need a minimum of two growing seasons to settle in before you reduce watering. Perennials will usually be up to the challenge by the year following planting.
Another Essential Component: Mulch
Mulch plays an important part in the xeriscape plan: 1) moisture conservation, 2) erosion control, 3) weed reduction, and 4) aesthetic value.
Most sources recommend organic mulch, which is wood based. By decomposition, organic mulch improves the soil over time; however, it does need to be replaced regularly (hardwood mulches seem to last longer, but are more costly). Apply mulch 2 to 4 inches deep, keeping the material well away from stems and trunks.
Inorganic mulches such as stone or gravel can be used in some instances, but never in locations that receive direct sun, as the material absorbs heat. When using stone-based mulch, be sure to use weed-barrier landscape fabric to help cut down on the maintenance of this area.
What to Plant?
Common plants to most regions include agave, lavender, juniper, sedum, thyme, lantana, euonymus, and many herbs. The following suggestions are compiled from both the Colorado State University Extension publication1 and the afore-mentioned press release from Santa Fe Greenhouses/High Country Gardens2; most of them will flourish in a wide range of zones. A little further research will show you what other specimens might fit into your particular region and situation.
Shrubs
Apache plume (Fallugia paradoxa)
Barberry, Japanese (Berberis thunbergii)
Bladder-senna (Colutea arborescens)
Ceanothus (Ceanothus fendleri)
Cinquefoil (Potentilla fruticosa)
Cliff rose (Cowania mexicana)
Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster spp.)
Lead Plant (Amorpha canescens)
Mountain mahogany (Cercocarpus spp.)
Peashrub (Caragana spp.)
Privet (Forestiera spp.)
Rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus spp.)
Rock Spiraea (Holodiscus dumosus)
Sage (Artemisia spp.)
Saltbush (Atriplex canescens)
Sand cherry (Prunus besseyi)
Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides)
Sumac (Rhus spp.)
Yucca (Yucca spp.)
Perennials
Catmint, Select Blue (Nepeta x faassenii "Select Blue")
Claret Cup Hedgehog (Echinocereus triglochidiatus)
Curlicue Sage (Artemisia versicolor "Seafoam")
French Lavender (Lavandula spp.)
Giant Thrift-Leaf (Hymenoxys acaulis)
Hummingbird Mint (Agastache spp.)
May Night Sage (Salvia "May Night")
Pineleaf Beardtongue/Penstemon (Penstemon pinifolius)
Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia)
Trees
Burr oak (Quercus macrocarpa)
Goldenrain tree (Koelreuteria paniculata)
Green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica lanceolata)
Hackberry (Celtis occidentalis)
Japanese pagoda tree (Sophora japonica)
Kentucky coffeetree (Gymnocladus dioicus)
Pinyon pine (Pinus edulis)
Thornless honeylocust (Gleditsia triancanthos inermis)
Tree-of-Heaven (Ailanthus altissima)
Western catalpa (Catalpa speciosa)
* Xeros (Greek word for "dry") plus landscape = xeriscape.
1. "Xeriscaping: Trees and Shrubs". Colorado State University Extension Horticulture Publication No. 7.229; http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/Garden/07229.html; viewed 1/11/08.
2. "Top 10 Plants for the Ultimate Easy Xeriscape Garden". Press release, Santa Fe Greenhouses/High Country Gardens, December 15, 2004. http://www.prweb.com; viewed 1/11/08.
 | Toni Leland has been writing for over 20 years. She has written a biweekly gardening newspaper column as a spokesman for the Ohio State University Master Gardener program, and writes for Grit magazine and Romance Writers Report. She has been a gardener all her life, working soil all over the world. In her day job, she scripts and produces educational DVDs about caring for Miniature Horses, as well as writing and editing books about this unique height breed. |
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Subject: The future is now!
Posted by rednyr (from Newberry, SC) on February 22, 2008 at 5:44 PM:You bring up so many valid points. Where I work we are concentrating on just exactly the type of plants you mention. I too have a well and the resounding war cry last summer from the BF was "you're going to run the well dry!" I purposefully did NOT put the pool in use last year and left it empty(and I sorely missed it on those hot days after work too!). While I didn't run the well dry, I know that there is a lot that can be done to tone down on the water usuage this year...and many of Toni's suggestions I will be using to make the most out of my gardens...
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Subject: I'm Doing It and Getting Free Plants
Posted by MistyPetals (from North Augusta, SC) on February 22, 2008 at 3:06 PM:Yes, that's one of the benefits of my xeriscaping. I recently started a garden and at a visit to my local garden center learned how beneficial this practice is in the long run. I put in a small rock garden and filled it with plants that require little water and that provide yummy succulents and the plants are easily rooted from cutitngs.
So, if you're thinking of trying this idea. go with Mother of thousands or is it millions? Also, I'm thinking of putting in a couple of dwarf burning bush will do well here and it also can grow from cuttings easily. For some reason, I think the yucca might make an interesting backdrop for this type of garden also.
So, while I'm watering the roses this summer, I'll enjoy their blooms while conserving water on the other side of the garden with the xeriscaping.
Love the article! Easy to read and informative. Thanks. ...
Subject: Excellent information!
Posted by doccat5 (from Fredericksburg, VA) on February 22, 2008 at 11:06 AM:Toni, thanks so much for sharing this. Xeriscaping is the way to go. I have a very shallow well, so it didn't take me long to figure out I had to find a better way and this is one of the ways to go. ... Posted by Lindawalkabout (from Holden, MO) on February 22, 2008 at 12:13 PM: This is a very good informative and important artical that all those that garden should be mindful of. Thank you
I am concern with the challenges we are facing and those yet to come.
Good news we can make a difference in our water usage. As you have pointed out, having rain barrels to catch the rain from our roofs and other ways to conserve water. We should treat water like having gold. I know I do with compost!!!!!!!
Thank you for explaining what Xeriscape means .
I like to mulch alot and this really helps keep the mositure in and no watering after plant is established.
This year I will be thinking more on those three zones you mention for my planting.
oh I took a look at your web page and your books look like a very good read. Beautiful pictures on the front covers as well as lovely pictures on your artical here : )
ths again for sharing
... Posted by Pamgarden (from Nellysford, VA) on February 22, 2008 at 2:49 PM: Toni, Your article is very timely. When I first read about Xeriscape some years ago, I found it interesting, but thought I'd never use it in Florida, where rainfall is ample, sometimes too much so. Now I live in VA, and after last summer's drought, I began realizing that I better study up on it. The idea of zones may be intuitive to some, but I hadn't actively thought about it. I most definitely will now. Thank you. ... Posted by KyWoods (from Melbourne, KY) on February 22, 2008 at 4:02 PM: You knockin' good ol' Kentucky bluegrass? LOL We don't miss having a lawn--we have trees, rock gardens and container gardens instead. Is that Autumn Joy seedum in that one picture? We have some of that--very pretty.
Interesting info about the history of the term "xeriscape". Thanks, and thanks for the list of plants, too! ...
Subject: essential knowledge
Posted by Dutchlady1 (from Naples, FL) on February 22, 2008 at 7:02 AM:Xeriscaping will be the gardening of the (near) future with water restrictions everywhere. Thanks for writing about it. ...
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