|
XERISCAPE
... Just what is it?
Xeriscape simply means waterwise or water-efficient landscaping.
But, beware.
There are some misconceptions to avoid:
- Xeriscape is NOT dry only. Even
though dry only landscaping can be spectacularly colorful, and even lush,
limited areas of highly watered landscapes are completely consistent with wise
water use, if the return justifies it -- for example, heavily irrigated athletic
field turf.
-
Xeriscape is NOT native plants only. Although there is a vast array
of wonderful regional native plants, introduced plants that are well-adapted to
our climate are a wonderful addition to our native flora. Many Iris, Tulips, and
even Roses are examples of introduced plants that are well adapted to
nonirrigated landscaping in the Rocky Mtns.
-
Xeriscape is NOT just rocks and gravel. Although dry (xeric) rock
gardens can be truly marvelous, there are infinite other choices for the xeric
portions of xeriscape designs.
-
Xeriscape is NOT always lawn-less. Some lawn can be consistent with
the concept of overall waterwise landscaping..."Less-lawn not
lawn-less" might be the phrase.
 |
An "industrial Strength" median
At least 75% less irrigation than a Bluegrass lawn
Buffalograss '609', watered no more than once per month
from April through October, satisfies the established trees from an earlier
landscape.
Boulder, Colorado
|
IS XERISCAPE
RELEVANT?
Consider that 50% to 80% of the drinking water supplied across the U.S. & in Australia is used for landscaping. Then consider that water-efficient
landscaping easily uses half as much water as standard Kentucky
Bluegrass-dominated landscaping. Landscaping is the first thing to consider when
water becomes scarce.
XERISCAPING IS EASY!
Just group together plants of similar water needs and don't over water the
groups. Keep it simple. Consider
the following four landscape watering zones. Experiment to determine exactly how
much and how often to water. This avoids unnecessary delays based on the belief
that it's necessary to know exactly how much irrigation is needed before
starting. It also eliminates concerns about differences in climates, because how
much and how often to water varies from year to year, from season to
season, and from place to place in the same yard anyway.
|
Snow-in-summer (white), Faassen's Catnip (blue), and
Moonshine Yarrow (yellow) resist deer and offer lots of color |
|
The numbers in the following chart illustrate typical Denver & Albuquerque irrigation needs. With a little experimenting, it is easy to develop
similar numbers for any other climate.
FOUR WATERING ZONES FOR ANY DRY CLIMATE
The following chart shows how to divide landscaping into
different zones, based on the water needs of different plants.
Numbers illustrate typical Denver & Albuquerque conditions.
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| HIGH WATER ZONES |
MODERATE WATER ZONES |
LOW WATER
ZONES |
VERY LOW WATER ZONES |
|
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
Like Bluegrass turf
(Always wet at surface) |
Half of Bluegrass turf
|
Like Buffalograss turf
(Like Denver ave. conditions) |
Too dry for any turf
(Drier than Denver) |
Denver:
18-20 gals./ S.F. season
.5"-- 3 times per week |
Denver:
10+ gals./S.F./ season
.75" -- once per week |
Denver:
0-3 gals./S.F./season
.5" per 2 weeks, optional |
Denver:
No irrigation
No irrigation |
Albuquerque:
25 gal./S.F.. season |
Albuquerque:
12.5 gal./S.F./season |
Albuquerque:
5 gal/S.F./season |
Albuquerque:
No irrigation |
Typical plants:
Kentucky Bluegrass,
Redtwig Dogwood, Pansies |
Typical plants:
Turf-type Tall Fescue,
Potentilla, Purple Coneflower |
Typical plants:
Buffalograss lawns,
Rabbitbrush, Mexican
Hat Coneflower |
Typical plants:
Piñon Pine, Yuccas,
Creosote Bush,
most Mesquite |
|
------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
|
The amounts of water
indicated in inches per week refer to typical midsummer irrigation needs
for periods without rain.
The figures in gallons per square feet refer to irrigation needed for a
typical April through October season. |
 |
"Curb appeal" on 3 gal.
SF/season, or less. '609' Buffalograss and 'Coronation Gold' Yarrow. Additional
plants, not shown in these photos, include: Prairie Zinnia, Pitcher Sage,
Centranthus, Pineleaf Penstemon, Rabbitbrush, Apache Plume, Creeping Mahonia,
and Fernbush. |
INDUSTRIAL-STRENGTH PERENNIALS
FOR EASY XERISCAPING
The perennials on this list are so durable and showy that they
are useful for general landscaping. Among other things, they can be used for
showy "filler" plants while shrubs are maturing. By consulting the
blooming time list, it is possible to make selections that will provide color
throughout the growing season.
|
Achillea•filipendulina•'Coronation•Gold' (VL-L)
Achillea•x•'Moonshine' (VL-L)
Agastache•cana (L-M)
Aster•porteri (VL-L)
Aurinia•saxatilis (L)
Berlandiera•lyrata (VL-L)
Callirhoë•involucrata (L)
Centranthus•ruber (L)
Cerastium•tomentosum (L)
Crocus•spp. * (L)
Delosperma•cooperi (M+/-)
Gaillardia•aristata (L)
Helianthus•maximiliani (L-M)
Iris•germanica•cvs.. (L)
Iris•bucharica (L)
Lavandula•spp. (VL-M)
Liatris•punctata (VL-L)
Limonium•latifolium (L)
Mirabilis•multiflora (VL-L)
Narcissus•spp. * (L)
Nepeta•x•faassenii (L)
Penstemon•pinifolius (L)
Penstemon•strictus (L-M)
Perovskia•atriplicifolia (VL-L)
Phlox•subulata (L-M)
Salvia•officinalis (L)
Salvia•azurea•var.•grandifora (L)
Santolina•chamaecyparissus (VL-L)
Saponaria•ocymoides (L)
Senecio•spartioides (VL-L)
Zauschneria•arizonica * (VL-L)
Zinnia•grandiflora (VL-L) |
Coronation Gold Yarrow
Moonshine Yarrow
Double Bubble Mint
Porter's Aster
Basket-of-gold
Chocolate Flower
Poppy Mallow
Centranthus
Snow-in-summer
Crocus species
Hardy Pink Ice Plant
Native Gaillardia
Maximilian's Sunflower
Bearded Iris varieties
Buchara Iris
Various Lavenders
Dotted Gay Feather
Sea Lavender
Native Four O'clock
Daffodils
Faassen's Catnip
Pineleaf Penstemon
Rocky Mountain Penstemon
Russian Sage
Moss Phlox
Cooking Sage
Pitcher Sage
Santolina
Soapwort
Broom Groundsel
Arizona Zauschneria (syn. Epilobium•canum•ssp.•latifolium)
Prairie Zinnia |
Criteria for selecting
plants in this list:
-
Deer resistant (exceptions
are noted on the alphabetical list with *)
-
Low water requirements
(like Buffalograss turf, or as noted)
-
Long-lived
-
Complementary bloom times
-
Showy from a distance
|
