What is Xeriscaping

In the summer months rainfall is at a premium creating increased demands on our existing water supply. We need to focus on conserving water any way we can. This extends into our gardens.

Xeriscaping refers to the concept of conserving water in the landscape by incorporating drought-resistant plants that rely only on natural amounts of rainfall. A garden designed to be drought resistant can, once plants are established, do very well and even thrive in periods of drought. It’s not difficult to create a beautiful garden that relies mainly on rainfall, you just need a little know-how.

Here are some guidelines to consider when planning your xeriscape:

Most drought-resistant plants need good drainage. 

Mulching with wood chips, pine needles and other natural products helps slows down evaporation and hold moisture in the soil. 

Water your garden in the morning or in late afternoon. A drip hose is a better choice than a sprinkler.

Choosing appropriate drought-resistant plants is the key to a successful xeriscape. 

Keep in mind it is important to provide adequate water until it is well established during its first year after planting.

Here’s a list of some plants, trees and shrubs that support the concept of xeriscaping:

Perennials

• Achillea (Yarrow)
• Alliums (Ornamental Onion)
• Armeria maritima (Common Thrift)
• Berginia cordifolia (Heartleaf Bergenia)
• Dianthus (Pinks)
• Eryngium (Sea Holly)
• Gaillardia grandiflora (Blanket Flower)
• Iris (Bearded Iris)
• Lychis coronaria (Rose Campion)
• Yucca filamentosa (Adam’s Needle)
• Full sun, white, blooms in summer

Perennial Ground Covers

• Artemesia (Wormwood)
• Cerastium tomentosum (Snow-in-Summer)
• Phlox subulata (Moss or Creeping Phlox)
• Sedum (Stonecrop)
• Thymus (Thyme)

Annuals

• Alyssum saxatile (Basket of Gold)
• Helianthus annus, (Sunflower)
• Salvia
• Tagetes species (Marigold)

Trees & Shrubs

• Acer ginnala (Amur Maple)
• Catalpa speciosa (Northern Catalpa)
• Elaeagnus angustifolia (Russian Olive)
• Euonymus japonicus (Japanese Euonymous)

Ornamental Grasses

• Carex (caryophyllea ‘Beatlemania’) Carex is not technically a grass, but has a grass-like appearance.
• Arrhenatherum elatius bulbosum (Bulbous Oat Grass)
• Phalaris arundinacea (Ribbon Grass)
• Festuca species (Fescue)

Keep in mind that planting a Xeri landscaped garden needs full attention in the first year including sufficient watering until the plants and trees root well. Thereafter maintenance becomes a breeze and your water bills will most certainly drop to bare minimums for maintaining your garden.

Once Perennial ground covers have taken good hold, it is advised that from time to time you cut back access cover but never completely de-root as it could destroy the painstakenly effort of creating a Xeriscaped garden in its balance of retention of water when needed while run-off of access water will be hampered.

Never try to combine a Xeriscaped garden with non-native grass lawns. Either one or the other will suffer from too much or too little watering.