Xeriscape: An Introduction
by Maureen McCracken
What
is Xeriscape?
This question confuses many people who have preconceived ideas that Xeriscape is a specific look, something with lots of desert-type succulents and cacti, some kind of hippy environmental thing, or a description of a group of plants.
Xeriscaping is actually a concept of creative landscaping with the objective of water conservation through the use of drought-tolerant plants. It is a concept whose time has come.
The word Xeriscape was coined by combining xeros, the Greek word for dry, with landscape. Literally, Xeriscape means dry landscape. It is pronounced as if the x were a z. Other names or terms such as water-conserving landscapes, drought-tolerant landscaping, zeroscaping, and
smart scaping are sometimes used interchangeably with the term Xeriscape.
The idea of Xeriscape was developed in 1978 by Denver Water, the water department of Denver, Colorado, in response to the worst drought in that area in 40 years. Xeriscape™ and the Xeriscape logo are registered trademarks of Denver Water.
Xeriscaping incorporates landscaping and gardening techniques that do not require much supplemental irrigation. Consequently, Xeriscape is starting to be promoted in areas that do not have plentiful supplies of fresh water. It is also catching on in other areas as more people become environmentally educated and concerned. Water is now considered an expensive and limited resource. Therefore, most landscaping projects, both residential and commercial, can benefit from this alternative to the more traditional landscaping. With the magnitude of the recent drought in North Carolina and in most of the South East, interest in this type of gardening and landscape design should see significant and growing interest in these drought-prone areas.
Native plants as well as other plants, whose natural requirements are appropriate to the local climate, are emphasized in a Xeriscape. Great care is taken to avoid losing water to evaporation and run-off. Lawns and turf areas are minimized. The specific plants used in Xeriscaping depend upon the climate, light, soil, size and use of the area to be planted. Ideas for specific plants will be discussed in future articles in this series.
While there are no real disadvantages, a Xeriscape may require more planning and preparation than simply laying sod. Yet, the extra effort will be well rewarded. The advantages, however, are numerous:
Water Conservation. Xeriscape plants, along with proper bed design, take full advantage of rainfall. This keeps watering requirements low and can often be met without supplemental irrigation. For most of North America, over 50% of residential water used is applied to landscape and lawns. Xeriscaping can reduce landscape water use by 50 - 75%.
Reduced Maintenance. Aside from occasional pruning and weeding, maintenance is minimal. Lawns and mowing are significantly reduced or eliminated altogether. Because the plants used are drought proof, the time and cost of replacing plants lost to drought is drastically reduced.
No Fertilizers or Pesticides. Using plants native to an area eliminates the need for chemical supplements. Sufficient nutrients are provided by healthy organic soil. The reduction or elimination of large lawns will drastically cut the need for fertilizers and pesticides in the Xeriscaped yard.
Pollution Free. Fossil fuel consumption from gas mowers is minimized or eliminated with minimal turf areas. Landscape runoff, a major source of water pollution, can be greatly reduced with less turf and less chemicals.
Provides Wildlife Habitat. Use of native plants, shrubs and trees offers increased habitat for local wildlife, especially native bees and butterflies.
The biggest challenge for Xeriscaping is the lack of education and awareness by the general public. Some uniformed homeowner associations may object to non-traditional landscapes and plants, especially the removal of traditional lawns and turf areas. However, this mindset is changing. Some states, such as Florida and Arizona, have passed laws prohibiting Homeowner Associations from banning water-smart landscaping. It will take time and education for people to change their mindset as to what constitutes a beautiful landscape. The drought has provided a good starting point for increasing the public’s awareness level in this area—as well as a great opportunity for EMGs to make a significant impact, educating gardeners and the general public about the benefits of Xeriscape. MM February 2009
This question confuses many people who have preconceived ideas that Xeriscape is a specific look, something with lots of desert-type succulents and cacti, some kind of hippy environmental thing, or a description of a group of plants.
Xeriscaping is actually a concept of creative landscaping with the objective of water conservation through the use of drought-tolerant plants. It is a concept whose time has come.
The word Xeriscape was coined by combining xeros, the Greek word for dry, with landscape. Literally, Xeriscape means dry landscape. It is pronounced as if the x were a z. Other names or terms such as water-conserving landscapes, drought-tolerant landscaping, zeroscaping, and
smart scaping are sometimes used interchangeably with the term Xeriscape.
The idea of Xeriscape was developed in 1978 by Denver Water, the water department of Denver, Colorado, in response to the worst drought in that area in 40 years. Xeriscape™ and the Xeriscape logo are registered trademarks of Denver Water.
Xeriscaping incorporates landscaping and gardening techniques that do not require much supplemental irrigation. Consequently, Xeriscape is starting to be promoted in areas that do not have plentiful supplies of fresh water. It is also catching on in other areas as more people become environmentally educated and concerned. Water is now considered an expensive and limited resource. Therefore, most landscaping projects, both residential and commercial, can benefit from this alternative to the more traditional landscaping. With the magnitude of the recent drought in North Carolina and in most of the South East, interest in this type of gardening and landscape design should see significant and growing interest in these drought-prone areas.
Native plants as well as other plants, whose natural requirements are appropriate to the local climate, are emphasized in a Xeriscape. Great care is taken to avoid losing water to evaporation and run-off. Lawns and turf areas are minimized. The specific plants used in Xeriscaping depend upon the climate, light, soil, size and use of the area to be planted. Ideas for specific plants will be discussed in future articles in this series.
While there are no real disadvantages, a Xeriscape may require more planning and preparation than simply laying sod. Yet, the extra effort will be well rewarded. The advantages, however, are numerous:
Water Conservation. Xeriscape plants, along with proper bed design, take full advantage of rainfall. This keeps watering requirements low and can often be met without supplemental irrigation. For most of North America, over 50% of residential water used is applied to landscape and lawns. Xeriscaping can reduce landscape water use by 50 - 75%.
Reduced Maintenance. Aside from occasional pruning and weeding, maintenance is minimal. Lawns and mowing are significantly reduced or eliminated altogether. Because the plants used are drought proof, the time and cost of replacing plants lost to drought is drastically reduced.
No Fertilizers or Pesticides. Using plants native to an area eliminates the need for chemical supplements. Sufficient nutrients are provided by healthy organic soil. The reduction or elimination of large lawns will drastically cut the need for fertilizers and pesticides in the Xeriscaped yard.
Pollution Free. Fossil fuel consumption from gas mowers is minimized or eliminated with minimal turf areas. Landscape runoff, a major source of water pollution, can be greatly reduced with less turf and less chemicals.
Provides Wildlife Habitat. Use of native plants, shrubs and trees offers increased habitat for local wildlife, especially native bees and butterflies.
The biggest challenge for Xeriscaping is the lack of education and awareness by the general public. Some uniformed homeowner associations may object to non-traditional landscapes and plants, especially the removal of traditional lawns and turf areas. However, this mindset is changing. Some states, such as Florida and Arizona, have passed laws prohibiting Homeowner Associations from banning water-smart landscaping. It will take time and education for people to change their mindset as to what constitutes a beautiful landscape. The drought has provided a good starting point for increasing the public’s awareness level in this area—as well as a great opportunity for EMGs to make a significant impact, educating gardeners and the general public about the benefits of Xeriscape. MM February 2009
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Maureen McCracken is an Extension Master Gardener Volunteer for Mecklenburg County, NC.
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