Xeriscaping is a word created from the Greek word xeros meaning dry and the word
landscaping. The southwestern United States has been using the concepts of xeriscape for
years; but for many of us around the country, the institution of water restrictions and high
energy costs have brought home the fact that conservation is important no matter where we live.
There are many benefits to the homeowner who employs xeriscaping principles in their landscape
design. Not only can you reduce water use by one-third by following the principles listed below
when planning, planting and maintaining your landscape, but xeriscaped gardens using the seven
basic principles of xeriscape design outlined by the the Alabama Cooperative Extension also will
require less maintenance and suffer less from extended periods of drought.
Group plants by similar water use. By grouping plants with similar water needs,
your irrigation system can be zoned so that each group receives only the amount of
water required to maintain those particular plants.
If sites are dry, choose as many plants with low water requirements as possible,
such as some of the ornamental grasses, barberries, Chinese hollies, and junipers. This is also
a good time to look at native plants.
Reduce the amount of turfgrass area. Use it only where necessary and consider the
newer, drough-resistant types of grasses. In many areas of the country homeowners use over
50% of their annual water consumption in watering lawns and landscaping.
Use plenty of organic material (peat moss, pinebark, compost) in preparing soil. Good
soil preparation will help with water retention.
Use about 4 inches (no more) of mulch (wood chips, shredded bark). Mulch will reduce
water use by slow evaporation, and it adds organic matter to the soil and helps prevent
erosion.
Use efficient watering systems (drip where possible)
Prune, fertilize, and divide plants regularly
Gaillardia or Blanket Flower is a very versatile xeriscape plant. Its form is a leafy, erect branching plant that
mounds. It prefers full sun and thrives in heat. The hardiness zone ranking is 2 through 10. It generally reaches
a height of 8" to 36", depending on cultivar, with a 12" to 24" spread. It prefers well-drained or dry soils, will
tolerate drought and salt and is a short-lived plant in moist, fertile soil.
The flowers are 2-4" wide and daisy-like. Colors are generally red, gold and maroon with single to double ragged
petals. This plant will bloom summer to frost, and no vernilization is required. It is easy to propogate by seed or you
can take stem cuttings in the spring. You must deadhead regularly.
Using native plants in our landscapes makes perfect sense, but yet it is not that easily
accomplished. It doesn't sound hard, but native plants are not always easily found. Many
county extention services, utility departments, conservation groups, et cetera are working
diligently to educate the public concerning native plants and ways to use them in our
landscape designs. I have listed below many links to native plant sources from around the United States.
Not only is it interesting to learn about plants indigenous to your area of the country, but native
plants will attract native butterflies and insects, require less water and less fertilizer,
making them the perfect xeriscape plant.
Applying any of these principles, even a little at a time, will help you save and will
help conserve our precious natural resources.
Flagstaff Native Plants & Seed - an environmental nursery
dedicated to providing a wide range of native plants and landscaping services for northern Arizona,
northern New Mexico, and southern Utah.
University of Florida Extension Service -
Native plant information and helpful landscaping ideas with plant listings.
Plant Native - Native plants and seeds.
Munchkin Nursery - Indiana native plant source.
Great Lakes Basin - Informative site
for the Great Lakes Basin area.
Mt Tahoma Nursery - Washington state native alpines.
I Love Plants - a very informative site with information
from all over the country and many links.
Design Ideas - ideas for designing with native plants.
