A Word to the Water-Wise: Xeriscaping

In our water-conscious world, some gardeners feel a pang of conscience every time they turn on the sprinkler or drag out the hose.

While there’s no backyard or raised bed that can survive completely without water (unless you’ve gone all-in on artificial turf, plastic flowers. or silk vines), there is a way to turn off the steady drip, drip, drip of guilt and still have a stunning garden.

The answer is xeriscaping.

A style of landscape design requiring little to no irrigation and not much in the way of other maintenance, xeriscaping is generally associated with arid climates but can be adapted to other conditions. The term originated in in 1981 in Colorado — which is considered semi-arid, although some mountainous regions can get as many as 80 inches of rain annually — where it was coined by the folks at the Denver water department to promote water conservation during a period of drought.

Think Beyond the Prickles

If images of gravel and cacti have dried up your interest in xeriscaping, you might be surprised to learn you’re not limited to loose stones underfoot or rows and rows of desert-dwellers. In fact, in some locations, the opposite is more accurate: If you live in drizzly Seattle, for instance, the idea of a full-on desert garden might be, well, a mirage.

Instead, the key is choosing native, drought-tolerant plants that can thrive with less frequent, lower volume watering compared to traditional landscaping. You also have to be smart about soil amendments and irrigation, and garden design: It helps to group plants with similar watering requirements together.

Though the candidates vary by geography, your plant plan could include:

• Coneflowers: These pollinator-attracting perennials come in a variety of colors and bloom throughout the summer. 
• Lavender: Known for its fragrance and frequently used in aromatherapy and beauty products.
• Russian Sage: A tall, low-maintenance perennial with purple flowers that bloom in late summer. 
• Coreopsis: Also called tickseed, coreopsis is a consistent summer bloomer, with cheerful yellow flowers.
• Butterfly Bushes: Known for their butterfly-attracting, long colorful flower spikes. 
• Gaillardia: A summer-blooming, daisy-like flower available in a variety of colors.
• Lantana: A heat-loving flowering shrub that comes in multiple colors. 
• Potentilla: Drought tolerant once established and able to grow in various soil types, this shrub is also cold hardy.

Before you make a purchase, be sure to take a good look at your location at different times of the day and, if possible, during different weather conditions. Observing your yard’s sunlight patterns, drainage, and soil type will help you select the right plants. 

Set the Stage for Success

Once you’ve decided on the plants, it’s time to tackle the rest of the elements that define a xeriscape. Some things to consider are:

• Purposeful planting. Map out your garden (or raised bed) layout. Consider designated planting areas, pathways, and hardscaping. Mulch, rocks, and yes, decorative gravel, can add visual appeal while also aiding with water retention.
• Suitable soil. Soil is the literal foundation of any garden, so it’s important to know what you’ve got.

The first step is using a commercial test kit to assess your soil’s nutrients and drainage capacity. While there’s no single perfect soil for xeriscaping, keep in mind that xeriscape plants don’t like wet feet. Sandy or loamy soil can promote drainage and prevent root rot. On the other hand, sandy soil tends to dry out quickly. Amending it with silt or a good organic mix can help keep things in balance. Have clay soil? It holds onto water, but the trade-off is that it doesn’t necessarily drain well. Adding sand or compost can create a looser, better aerated soil.

And don’t forget: Planting in a raised bed filled with a well-draining mix is a good option if your soil is heavy clay or poor quality. 

• Organized irrigation. Consider a drip irrigations system that delivers water directly to the root zone, minimizing water lost to evaporation. Rainwater harvesting is a great way to use water that would otherwise go down the drain. Remember: You will have to deep water plants for a few weeks or months while they’re getting established. As your xeriscape garden matures, it will become increasingly water efficient. 

The Bottom Line

In addition to its resource-reducing benefits for the environment, xeriscaping is also generally budget-friendly. At the very least, you’ll save on your watering bills and spend less on fertilizer. And as for that gravel pathway, it’s probably more affordable than the paver equivalent.