Xeriscaping, from the Greek prefix “xeric,” meaning “dry,” is a popular style of landscaping, particularly in areas with arid or semi-arid climates such as California, Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, and Texas. Xeriscaping (“zeer-i-scaping”) reduces the need for heavy irrigation (or any irrigation beyond what rainfall provides in certain zones) and should not be confused with the more drastic "zeroscaping" which is more akin to a rock garden with dirt and gravel and little to no plants. Because it prioritizes saving water, xeriscaping emphasizes reducing or replacing grassy lawns with perennial, drought-tolerant, native plant species that eliminate or reduce the need for watering, weeding, fertilizing with toxic chemicals, frequent soil amendments, and replanting annually.
As we’ve discussed recently, lawns are the biggest residential water guzzler compared to toilets, showers, laundry, and other areas of the home that use water. Xeriscaping addresses this concern and also helps preserve potable drinking water for people and animals amidst increasing droughts due to climate change. Contra Costa County homeowners are invited to take advantage of valuable lawn-to-garden rebates and consultations from landscape designers at EBMUD and CCWD.
By the way, our cover image and flower close-ups are from a SCOCO Board Member's house that was the subject of a newsletter article on lawn replacement in 2018. Check out the article for lots of "before" photos as the project was just getting started. And look at it now!
Here are some ideas for xeriscaping your yard:
CHOOSE THE RIGHT PLANTS
- Once established, perennials, which include evergreens, shrubs, and flowering plants, need less water than annuals.
- Drought-tolerant plants typically grow slower, so pruning, trimming, and weeding aren’t required as often.
- Native plants in our county have adapted to an arid climate and can thrive without fertilization and little to no irrigation. (It bears mentioning that all native plants play a role in our ecosystem but not every native plant is adapted to the particular micro-climate of your yard). Natives support biodiversity and are beneficial to local insects, pollinators, and birds.
- Our county has dense clay soil that can be improved by adding compost. Although it doesn’t drain as quickly as sandy soil, clay soil is full of minerals.
- Cacti and other desert plants are highly resistant to pests and disease.
- You can also save water in your xeriscape yard by grouping similar plants together in one irrigation zone without having to water your entire yard. Placing plants in a lower section of your yard will allow moisture to funnel there naturally. Using drip irrigation systems and soaker hoses further prevent evaporation and can save water use by 50 – 70%.
Plants that do well in xeriscaping:
Lavender is a popular aromatic herb in our county and can be seen everywhere. This hardy drought-tolerant superstar comes in many varieties and has appealing purple flowers that attract beneficial pollinators and repel fleas, ticks, and mosquitos.
Echinacea (a.k.a. coneflowers) is an eye-catching, hardy perennial with prickly “hedgehog” flowers that tolerate rocky soil and full sun.
Succulents come in a huge range of colors and thrive in poor rocky soil, full sun, and little water. Virtually maintenance free and adapted to dry conditions, succulents such as “Hens and Chicks” are a wildly popular, water-wise choice and add sculptural appeal wherever they live.
Ornamental grasses thrive in drier conditions and provide grace, color, texture, and movement to your yard. Check out Ornamental Grasses for Northern California.
Crepe Myrtle trees need watering after initial planting but are then quite drought-tolerant once established. They reach 15 – 25 feet and flower from July through October, with smooth bark that peels back as it ages.
Salvias, including Mexican sages, are flowering bushes that come in a range of colors and can be annuals or perennials. They tolerate rocky soil and full sun.
Yarrow is a popular, drought-tolerant perennial that is native to most of the United States and comes in yellow, pink, orange, white, and red.
Lantana Is a fast-growing, heat-loving perennial and provides vibrant color in a range of colors.
For more great plants, check out Contra Costa Water District's Guide to Water-Saving Plants.
Other Ideas for Successful Xeriscaping:
MULCH Mulching your xeriscapic yard helps suppress weeds and retain moisture so you don’t have to water as much. There are different kinds of mulch, including gravel mulch and wooden mulch. Wooden mulch holds moisture well and works best when you aren’t over-watering drought-tolerant plants, which can rot the plant crown (aboveground parts), especially in clay-heavy soils. SCOCO’s long-time partner Eco Mulch sells mulch that comes from pesticide free wood rather than contaminated construction debris or wooden pallets. Gravel mulch is a popular aesthetic for xeriscaped gardens in the Mediterranean style and beautifully compliments rosemary, olive trees, Greek oregano, and lavender. Gravel allows the crown of desert plants to drain quickly and stay dry during the winter.
HARDSCAPING “Hardscaping” design is an essential characteristic of xeriscaping and even provides habitat for wildlife. Non-plant garden elements like pea gravel walkways, flagstone pathways, and river rock borders provide interesting “negative space” in your yard for the eye to “rest” and complement flowers and greenery. Permeable hardscaping elements can also aid in water drainage and maximize the landscape's ability to slow, spread, and soak stormwater back into the aquifer, thereby replenishing a precious resource. Pavers, low brick retaining walls, and different colors, sizes, and shapes of rocks provide alternatives to thirsty plants and add architectural interest to your garden. Decorative boulders also absorb sun during the day and keep warm-loving plants and critters like lizards happy throughout cooler nights.
CONTAINER PLANTS Container plants are a strategic feature of zeriscaping. Typically, container plants require more water than those grown in the ground because the soil dries out faster, but drought-tolerant succulents and cacti like agave have shallow root systems and thrive in containers without needing much space to flourish. You can position containers near hoses for easy watering and even spread mulch over the soil to retain moisture. Some of you may remember a popular SCOCO workshop called “Gardening in Containers and Small Spaces,” where Certified Nursery Professional and container expert Shawna Anderson recommended various container plants with her trademark combination of "Thrillers, Fillers, and Spillers®"
CAVEAT TO XERISCAPING Some people think xeriscaping glorifies water-frugal plants at the expense of biodiversity and can be stark and barren in appearance, but xeriscaping offers a year-round variety of plant textures, shapes, and colors that attract pollinators, hummingbirds, and other wildlife. You don’t have to xeriscape your entire yard to reap its benefits. It’s fun to pick and choose elements from xeriscaping and other garden styles without an “all or nothing” perspective. Experiment with a small spot or corner of your yard and see how it works for you. In the long-term, xeriscaping is low-maintenance and will reduce your carbon footprint; save water, time, and effort; and give you a distinctive and stylish garden that provides year-round appeal!
Sources and Further Reading:
Photos courtesy of Sustainable Contra Costa Board Member
https://www.bhg.com/xeriscape-plants-8423782
https://www.marthastewart.com/8336571/xeriscaping-ideas
https://costafarms.com/blogs/get-growing/xeriscaping-what-it-is-and-how-to-do-it
https://www.contracosta.watersavingplants.com
https://wateruseitwisely.com/blog/xeriscape-vs-zeroscape/
https://www.sjwater.com/our-company/news-media/water-blogged/xeriscaping-whats-it-all-about
https://www.bhg.com/xeriscape-plants-8423782
https://costafarms.com/blogs/get-growing/xeriscaping-what-it-is-and-how-to-do-it
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xeriscaping
https://www.ebmud.com/water/conservation-and-rebates/rebates/landscape-design-assistance
Replies