Xeriscaping - Water Wise Gardens

Summary:

If landscapes are designed using plants with water requirements corresponding to typical local rainfall patterns, significantly less water will be needed for irrigation. This is the simple concept behind Xeriscaping, a term coined by western land planning authorities dealing with water shortages in the 1970s. From Greek words meaning "dry scene", xeriscaping refers to selecting plants for their drought tolerance, and/or ability to thrive without regular maintenance in the climate conditions where they will be used. With water use issues becoming a concern in nearly every region of the United States, xeriscapes offer a viable alternative for attractive exterior space planning without consuming dwindling water resources and creating excessive cuttings or plant waste.

Traditional landscaping techniques include the widespread use of lush-looking Kentucky Bluegrass lawns, punctuated with groupings of exotic ornamental shrubs, flowers, and trees. For many years it was assumed that an unlimited water supply could provide the irrigation needed to maintain this vegetation, even in less hospitable hot or arid environments.

As increasing percentages of land area have been developed throughout the United States, water usage concerns have developed in nearly every region. In the East, problems with disposal of grass clippings and pollution from fertilizer/pesticide runoff have fueled the debate, while in the West and Southwest, water resources have been pushed to their limits by continued development and ever-increasing demand. Seasonal droughts may result in water restrictions in any part of the country.

All these factors have encouraged the spread of xeriscaping techniques throughout the United States. Municipal and state agencies, especially in western states, have opted to use alternative groundcovers and drought tolerant native vegetation when landscaping the grounds of public buildings and other facilities. Many local and regional parks have set aside meadow or streambank areas where native grasses and other plant species are allowed to grow freely without mowing. This can reduce maintenance costs and provide shelter for wildlife. In some instances, native flora may provide habitats for specific species like hummingbirds or butterflies. In western regions, many builder/developers now offer homebuyers the option of traditional landscaping or xeriscaped lots. In conjunction with drought tolerant trees and bushes, rock garden arrangements with creeping groundcovers and succulents can provide height, texture, color, and seasonal variety equivalent to conventional ornamentals.

By their nature, xeriscaping techniques vary by region. Landscape architects, horticulturalists, and gardeners in every area have developed lists of plants which can thrive under local climate conditions and rainfall patterns. Drought tolerant species may be imported, although some concern must be given to avoiding species which may crowd out indigenous plants or become invasive. Groundcovers, a common substitute for lawns, may be herbaceous perennials, ornamental grasses, or deciduous or coniferous shrubs. Buffalo grass and blue gamma grass may be substituted for water thirsty bluegrass in many situations. Mulches, such as bark chips, pine needles, wood grindings, composted cotton burrs or gravel and decomposed granite can provide landscape variety.

Xeriscaping also uses the concept of zoning, in which plants with similar water needs are grouped together in specific zones. Lots may thus be laid out to with a smaller but highly visible area where regular irrigation is provided, but with other broad areas requiring little maintenance or watering.


Disclaimer: The information on the system, product or material presented herein is provided for informational purposes only. The technical descriptions, details, requirements, and limitations expressed do not constitute an endorsement, approval, or acceptance of the subject matter by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD/FHA), The Partnership for Advancing Technology in Housing (PATH), or any PATH-affiliated Federal agency or private company. There are no warranties, either expressed or implied, regarding the accuracy or completeness of this information. Full reproduction, without modification, is permissible.

NAHB Research Center, 400 Prince George’s Blvd., Upper Marlboro, MD 20774 © 2001-2007 NAHB Research Center

Xeriscapes

YARD WORK - AS VIEWED FROM HEAVEN (overheard in a conversation between God and St. Francis):

God: Francis, you know all about gardens and nature; what in the world is going on down there in America ? What happened to the dandelions, violets, thistles and the stuff I started eons ago? I had a perfect no-maintenance garden plan. Those plants grow in any type of soil, withstand drought, and multiply with abandon. T he nectar from the long-lasting blossoms attracts butterflies, honeybees, and flocks of songbirds. I expected to see a vast garden of color by now. All I see are patches of green.

St. Francis: It's the tribes that settled there, Lord. They are called the Suburbanites. They started calling your flowers "weeds" and went to great lengths to kill them and replace them with grass.

God: Grass? But it is so boring, it's not colorful. It doesn't attract butterflies, bees or birds, only grubs and sod worms. It's temperamental with temperatures. Do these Suburbanites really want grass growing there?

St. Francis: Apparently not, Lord. As soon as it has grown a little, they cut it .... sometimes two times a week.

God: They cut it? Do they bale it like hay?

St. Francis: Not exactly, Lord. Most of them rake it up and put it in bags.

God: They bag it? Why? Is it a cash crop? Do they sell it?

St. Francis: No sir, just the opposite. They pay to throw it away.

God: Now let me get this straight... they fertilize it to make it grow and when it does grow, they cut it off and pay to throw it away?

St. Francis: Yes, sir.

God: These Suburbanites must be relieved in the summer when we cut back on the rain and turn up the heat. That surely slows the growth and saves them a lot of work.

St. Francis: You aren't going to believe this Lord, but when the grass stops growing so fast, they drag out hoses and pay more money to water it so they can continue to mow it and pay to get rid of it.

God: What nonsense! At least they've kept some of the trees. That was a sheer stroke of genius, if I do say so myself. The trees grow leaves in the spring to provide be auty and shade in the summer. In the autumn they fall to the ground and form a natural blanket to keep the moisture in the soil and protect the trees and bushes. Plus, as they rot, the leaves become compost to enhance the soil. It's a natural circle of life.

St. Francis: You'd better sit down, Lord. As soon as the leaves fall, the Suburbanites rake them into great piles and pay to have them hauled away.

God: No way! What do they do to protect the shrubs and tree roots in the winter to keep the soil moist and loose?

St Francis: After throwing the leaves away, they go out and buy something called mulch. They haul it home and spread it around in place of the leaves.

God: And where do they get this mulch?

St. Francis: They cut down the trees and grind them up to make mulch.

God: Enough! I don't want to think about this any more. Saint Catherine, you're in charge of the arts. What movie have you scheduled for us tonight?

St. Catherine: "Dumb and Dumber," Lord. It's a really stupid movie about....

God: Never mind--I think I just heard the whole story from Saint Francis!