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Xeriscape Gardening for Dry Landscapes isn't Just About Choosing Drought Tolerant Plants

By Cheryl Jones

Republish: EasyPublish™ Published: 01Mar2012 Word count: 462 Viewed: 57 time(s) Get Free Content For Your Site

After the extreme temperatures and droughts that have become regular events over last few years, homeowners are now searching for plants that require less water, less fertilize and minimal care. Just planting cactus and other succulents associated with desert gardening will not solve the problem. Xeriscape plants are gardening plants and shrubs that are drought tolerant and adaptable to most any soil type.

Xeriscape literally translates to dry landscape. That is somewhat deceiving since it really is not about dry landscaping as much as just gardening efficiently. When using proper techniques and plant selection to landscape and garden, you actually save money, time, energy and water over the life of your garden.

So…let's learn.

The basic principles of Xeriscape are:

-Planning
-Soil preparation
-Reducing turf areas
-Plant selection
-Proper irrigation
-Mulching

When planning, be sure to group plants according to their water and lighting needs. Place the taller plants in the back areas with shorter more compact plants in the front. Remember, it is better to water plants infrequently, yet deeper than to water lightly and often.

While the links below will provide you with great garden plant varieties that are low maintenance and perfect for Xeriscape gardening, here are a few Xeriscape favorites: rosemary, sage, oregano, lavender, chives, thyme, Russian sage, pineapple sage, yarrow, salvia, lamb's ear, gaillardia, junipers, spiraea, lilac, potentilla, evening primrose, coneflower, heliopsis, daylily, honeysuckle, sedum, ameria, vitex, rose of Sharon, Siberian peashrub or caragana, creeping phlox, red barberry, catmint and ornamental grasses.

One consideration about ornamental grasses is that during their first year in the ground, they will require regular watering. Once they have established a strong root system, ornamental grasses will become stronger and more drought tolerant.

Mulch should be applied in late spring to early summer to help keep the ground cool and moist. Good choices for mulch are shredded bark mulch, pine needles, straw, and aged compost. Any type of rock, including lava stones, should only be used in shaded areas. During extreme heat, rocks and stones heat up the ground often burning plants.

The links below have been in my favorites for a long time. I refer back to them often and want to share their information on Xeriscaping. You will find wonderful ideas that will help new and old gardeners alike to create more efficient outdoor spaces in their own little corner of the world.

http://www.xeriscape.org/whatis.html (Colorado Water Wise Council)

http://pubs.caes.uga.edu/caespubs/pubcd/B1073.htm (How to)

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