There are endless options when it comes to designing and planting your yard, depending on your personal aesthetic and requirements. Each has a certain look, from the classic plants and lines of formal gardens, to the multiple layers and textures of native plants in naturescaping, to the function and flow of hardscaping. In Colorado, the Front Range zone encompasses a variety of regions: prairielands, marshes, forests, and hillsides. Generally this state is on the drier side, prone to droughts, and therefore more water is needed to maintain urban landscaping. Xeriscapes are not as well-known as other conservation-focused forms of landscaping, such as hardscaping, but they are an excellent way to save water through creative planting. Local Denver landscape experts can help you achieve a xeriscape yard that looks lovely and is environmentally-friendly.

What is a Xeriscape?

A xeriscape is a form of landscaping that emphasizes water conservation. Although it has many other benefits, this is the primary principle for this type of landscaping. A full third of residential water goes to lawns and landscapes in the US, a huge amount of resources, energy, money, and time.

No two xeriscapes look alike, though they can be created anywhere in the nation, because they rely on the use of native flora while incorporating minimal use of turf areas. These turf areas, most commonly expanses of green grass, require constant maintenance through mowing and watering. Eliminating most of these areas reduces the need for fuel-consuming, loud gas mowers; you can maintain this type of yard through minimal upkeep like pruning and weeding by hand. Getting simple irrigation systems installed will provide plenty of water for the plants, without needing to hose everything down in the mornings and evenings.

Much like naturescapes, xeriscapes provide habitat for native wildlife, which is vital in urban areas where their natural homes have been removed to make way for construction projects. The use of native plants also means you don’t have to use fertilizers or pesticides, as these plants are adapted to the environment and resistant to insect pests.

Common Xeriscape Elements

Following the topography of your yard is where xeriscaping begins. Embracing the natural contours of an outdoor space gives it a unique appearance, making your yard truly one-of-a-kind. Planting trees, shrubs, flowers, and herbs in specific groups and in either sunny or shady areas of the yard allows you to know where your different watering zones need to be. Efficient watering and drainage are essential for a xeriscape.

Limited grassy turf areas mean more room for less thirsty plants and more openings for pathways that improve the flow and feel of your yard. Keeping bare soil to a minimum is also key, so mulching with organic materials such as coarse leaves, bark, needles, and the like help prevent erosion of the soil while keeping moisture from evaporating by holding the plants in place.

An irrigation system, such as drip irrigation or soaker hoses, brings water directly to the roots of the plants. This also helps reduce moisture evaporation and increases water efficiency.

Your landscaping experts at Water Solutions provide all the best services for your lawncare needs, from design and installation of xeriscapes and other landscapes, to installation of irrigation systems and yard maintenance. We can answer any of your landscaping queries, so please give us a call today at 720-435-1495 for a free estimate of your yard.