(by 6 people)
Xeriscaping is the practice of landscaping using drought-tolerant plants. The term derives from the Greek word, xeros, meaning "dry," and scape, meaning "scene". Hence, xeriscaping literally means dryscaping, or "dry scene".
There are several reasons why you should consider xeriscaping. First, water is an increasingly valuable resource, and is becoming more and more expensive. Second, even if you don't live in an arid region, using plants that don't need more water than the natural plants in your area do to thrive is a good way to ensure your landscape plan does not create a stress on the natural environment, and if you live in a dry area, many native plants make lovely additions to your xeriscape garden, lending it a more natural appearance.
Photo by Flickr member Broken Lens
The Importance of Xeriscape Plants
Just like people perspire, plants also give off water in the form of evaporation, and some are better equipped for and do better in arid regions than others.
Drought-tolerant plants are those that use water more efficiently; they store it better, they keep it longer by using it wisely, they give up less of it to the air around them. They also have ways of finding all the available water in an area and preventing other plants from encroaching on their territories.
Many drought-tolerant species have grey, waxy, fuzzy/hairy, shiny, sticky, or thick, leathery leaves. They have fewer pores, or stomata, to prevent evapotranspiration - the process by which plants draw up water from the ground through their roots, move it through their stems and leaves, and then eventually lose it to the air as it evaporates from their leaves and flowers. Some orient their leaves to minimize exposure to sun. Hair or fuzz on leaves helps to provide warmth and to stem the flow of drying air. Sticky leaves and stems retain water. And some plants drop their leaves entirely, to minimize surface area, and thus, the amount of water lost to the environment.
Root systems are another way plants thrive when there's no water. Some have vast networks of shallow roots to gather surface water. Others have large, tuberous roots which act as storage tanks for the water they gather during the rainy season. And some have extremely deep-reaching taproots to find the water trapped further down in the soil - water other plants can't reach.
Sometimes merely finding water isn't enough - plants must also compete for soil area. Many of those plants with shallow root systems take a proactive approach to water gathering and set chemical boundaries to prevent other plants from encroaching on their territories.
Drought-tolerant plants are those that use water more efficiently; they store it better, they keep it longer by using it wisely, they give up less of it to the air around them. They also have ways of finding all the available water in an area and preventing other plants from encroaching on their territories.
Many drought-tolerant species have grey, waxy, fuzzy/hairy, shiny, sticky, or thick, leathery leaves. They have fewer pores, or stomata, to prevent evapotranspiration - the process by which plants draw up water from the ground through their roots, move it through their stems and leaves, and then eventually lose it to the air as it evaporates from their leaves and flowers. Some orient their leaves to minimize exposure to sun. Hair or fuzz on leaves helps to provide warmth and to stem the flow of drying air. Sticky leaves and stems retain water. And some plants drop their leaves entirely, to minimize surface area, and thus, the amount of water lost to the environment.
Root systems are another way plants thrive when there's no water. Some have vast networks of shallow roots to gather surface water. Others have large, tuberous roots which act as storage tanks for the water they gather during the rainy season. And some have extremely deep-reaching taproots to find the water trapped further down in the soil - water other plants can't reach.
Sometimes merely finding water isn't enough - plants must also compete for soil area. Many of those plants with shallow root systems take a proactive approach to water gathering and set chemical boundaries to prevent other plants from encroaching on their territories.
Retaining Moisture
There are several ways to retain moisture and help your plants retain water.
Use drip irrigation and water after sunset once the heat of day has passed. Watering at night helps cut evaporation and gives plants longer to absorb moisture before the heat of day burns it away.
Mulch. It helps cut both evaporation and weeds. Plus, it looks fabulous in most Mediterranean gardens and gives a well-manicured appearance.
Add organic matter (ie. compost, manure mixes, sphagnum/peat moss) to the soil. If you have acid-loving plants, pine needles also make a great planting material and are very easy to come by, if you live in an area with a lot of pine trees. Sphagnum can also acidify the soil, so check your garden book to find out which of your plants like or will tolerate acidic soil.
Plant trees and larger shrubs to create shade.
Use dense plantings and decorative walls to break up airflow/wind.
Use an automatic watering system and low-volume heads. Make sure your sprinkler system and/or tubing are in good repair and working properly. Don't overwater.
Use drip irrigation and water after sunset once the heat of day has passed. Watering at night helps cut evaporation and gives plants longer to absorb moisture before the heat of day burns it away.
Mulch. It helps cut both evaporation and weeds. Plus, it looks fabulous in most Mediterranean gardens and gives a well-manicured appearance.
Add organic matter (ie. compost, manure mixes, sphagnum/peat moss) to the soil. If you have acid-loving plants, pine needles also make a great planting material and are very easy to come by, if you live in an area with a lot of pine trees. Sphagnum can also acidify the soil, so check your garden book to find out which of your plants like or will tolerate acidic soil.
Plant trees and larger shrubs to create shade.
Use dense plantings and decorative walls to break up airflow/wind.
Use an automatic watering system and low-volume heads. Make sure your sprinkler system and/or tubing are in good repair and working properly. Don't overwater.
How To Choose Your Plants
It's really not hard to choose low-water need and drought-tolerant plants, if you consider the origin of the plants in question. A great many of the plants used in xeriscape gardening come from arid regions of the world, as well as the indigenous plants local to your area. Plants from South Africa, Australia, Madagascar, Mexico, Italy, Greece, Turkey, Spain, the American Southwest and High Deserts of the western US tend to be excellent choices. It is not a given that a plant from a particular region will be drought-tolerant, however, so be sure to look up the needs of plants before you buy!
Assuming you don't know a plant's origin, when you're looking at plants, go for those that require little or no to moderate watering. Avoid those that need heavy, regular, or moderate to regular water, as they tend not to do well in a dry spell, especially in the heat of summer. If you live in an area that gets rain regularly, even during summer, you can probably choose plants that need moderate to regular water and be fine, but if you hit a dry spell, you should give them supplemental water, as those plants are not actually drought-tolerant, they just don't generally need additional water in your area. They are not, strictly speaking, xeriscape plants.
Assuming you don't know a plant's origin, when you're looking at plants, go for those that require little or no to moderate watering. Avoid those that need heavy, regular, or moderate to regular water, as they tend not to do well in a dry spell, especially in the heat of summer. If you live in an area that gets rain regularly, even during summer, you can probably choose plants that need moderate to regular water and be fine, but if you hit a dry spell, you should give them supplemental water, as those plants are not actually drought-tolerant, they just don't generally need additional water in your area. They are not, strictly speaking, xeriscape plants.
Links for the Western US & Canada
- X-Rated Gardening
- Garden Centers of Colorado gardening guide for periods of heightened drought and watering restrictions
- Xeriscape Gardening
- Resource for Xeriscape gardening including plants and water-saving information by Colorado State University
- Xeriscaping - Water Conservation
- The Water Conservation Office is responsible for educating and creating incentives for the citizens of Albuquerque to conserve one of our most precious and scarce resources in this arid climate.
Great Stuff on Amazon
Xeriscape Colorado: The Complete Guide
Amazon Price: $18.45 (as of 07/26/2008)
Landscaping with Native Plants of Southern California
Amazon Price: $16.47 (as of 07/26/2008)
Xeriscape Handbook: A How-To Guide to Natural, Resource-Wise Gardening
Amazon Price: $16.47 (as of 07/26/2008)
Dry Climate Gardening with Succulents (The American Garden Guides)
Amazon Price: (as of 07/26/2008)
A Desert Gardener's Companion
Amazon Price: $13.57 (as of 07/26/2008)
The Xeriscape Flower Gardener: A Waterwise Guide for the Rocky Mountain Region
Amazon Price: (as of 07/26/2008)
Links
- Glendale Xeriscape Botanical Garden
- Demonstration garden at an Arizona public library using drought-tolerant plants. Virtual tour, and listing of plants grouped by water requirements, with summary information for each.
- X Rated Gardening
- Garden Centers of Colorado gardening guide for periods of heightened drought and watering restrictions
- Xeriscape Plant Selections and Ideas
- North Dakota xeriscape information including zonal planting concepts, the importance of mulching, and lists of grasses, trees, shrubs, and flowers.
- Xeriscape Plants
- A few Xeriscape friendly plants provided by Aransas County Texas Cooperative Extension.
- Texas Agricultural Xeriscape
- Information for water conservation in Texas with information on lanscpae plants friendly to the climate.
- Xeriscape Colorado
- non-profit organization promoting creative approaches to water conserving landscapes
- Hotgardens
- Advice about how to create a Mediterranean garden in a hot, dry climate using low water plants and trees.
- Xeriscape Gardening News
- Monthly xeriscape gardening e-zine/newsletter with helpful gardening information and hints for water-wise, drought tolerant gardening.
- Xeriscape information
- Resource for Xeriscape gardening including plants and water-saving information by Colorado State University
- A Water Resource for the Community Science Action Guide
- Teaching students to use water wisely can help prepare citizens to ensure that there is plenty of safe, clean water for the future.
- Summerland Xeriscape Garden
- Planning practical turf areas, mulching, irrigation techniques, and a plant list for low-water gardening in the British Columbia southern interior region.
- Kamloops British Columbia
- Local water conservation resource
- The Pacific Northwest Xeriscape Garden
- Xeriscape garden with listing of plants used.
- David Winger Garden Photography
- A collection of garden photographs including Xeriscape gardens.
- Water conservation
- Xeriscape resource for residents of Albuquerque, New Mexico
- Xeriscape Misconceptions
- Mistaken beliefs often prevent acceptance of Xeriscape and these should be corrected.
- Denver Botanic Gardens
- 12 Xeriscape gardening tips
- Southwest Florida Water Management District
- Xeriscape Information for Southwest Florida
- Do-It-Yourself, Water-Wise, Sprinkler Systems
- Ft. Collins Colorado provider of sprinkler and irrigation system designs and parts for those who want to save money by installing a drought survival system.
- Gardenweb: Xeriscaping and Southwestern Gardening
- Discussion forum.
- Waste Efficient Landscaping
- Guide to preparing outdoor areas with drought tolerant plants to reduce water consumption. Also links to other xeriscaping resources.
- Drought Resistance in the Home Landscape
- Ohio State University fact sheet HYG-1643-94 on the use of drought resistant plants in the home garden.
- Xeriscape
- Provides detailed information on water conservation through xeriscape techniques and plant selection, and on the demonstration garden in Colorado Springs.
- Xeriscape Plan and Design
- A guide to planning, designing, developing and maintaining a water-conscious landscape in Georgia.
