Xeriscape Landscaping
The word Xeriscape was formed by combining the Greek word xeros, meaning 'dry', and the word landscape. The term “xeriscape” was copyrighted by Denver Water in 1981. It refers to a landscaping technique that utilizes plants whose natural requirements are appropriate to the local climate. In southern Arizona, this means plants that require very little supplemental irrigation. Care is also taken to avoid losing rain water to evaporation and run-off. These basic materials and procedures are used:
- Water efficient landscape planning and design
- Appropriate turf areas
- Efficient irrigation systems
- Soil amendments
- Mulching and berming techniques
- Low water use plants
- Maintenance that continues the low water use design
You can wisely accomplish this by using these basic steps:
- Evaluate your yard or site
- Plan your design wisely, with water conservation in mind
- Remove any existing turf
- Regrade your site for maximum water retention
- Design a water efficient irrigation system and maintain it well
- Install your plants
- Select a good mulching product
- Maintain, maintain, maintain
You can look at this online resource for more information on this:
And this online list of drought tolerant plants:
AMWUA has three excellent booklets on Xeriscape and desert landscaping:
- Landscaping with Style - Information and some great example layouts.
- Landscape Plants for the Arizona Desert - Guide to 200+ low water use plants.
- Landscape Watering by the Numbers - Irrigation and water system design.
You can order them by calling (602) 261-8367 or contacting Conservation Brochures. They also give you access to two online brochures:
An online tool to help you calculate your watering schedule and needs:
Along with many links to detailed information: