What Is Xeriscape Landscaping?

Xeriscape landscaping, often called xeriscaping, is a type of lawn management that promotes little to no need for an irrigation system. In areas with high heat and limited access to fresh water, it’s important to have a yard that won’t dry up during the hottest months of the year. Beyond its ability to keep your property looking good, even in drought conditions, low water landscaping is an environmentally friendly alternative to a lawn that requires regular watering.

If you’re considering xeriscaping but unsure how to begin, The Ground Guys® has the information you need to get started.

Xeriscape Plans for Your Yard

As homeowners look to reduce their carbon footprint without sacrificing curb appeal, many have turned to xeriscape plans for their lawns. Once you’ve established that xeriscaping is right for you and your property, it’s time to create an action plan.

Here are some helpful xeriscaping ideas to ensure optimal results:

• Diagram your yard. While it may be tempting to jump right into the xeriscaping process, planning everything out carefully will ensure you don’t disturb plumbing or electrical wiring.
• Assess your yard’s sunlight. Determining how much sun your yard receives daily will help you identify areas suitable for low water landscaping.
• Test your soil. Not every plant grows well in every soil. Soil testing helps you assess your soil’s existing pH level and learn what you need to add to achieve the ideal pH balance for your new xeriscape garden.

Related Topic: Soil Analysis: Testing Soil for Optimal Growth

• Understand your yard’s climate. How much natural irrigation (rain, snow, etc.) do you experience yearly? Although you may prefer the look of xeriscaping, it isn’t essential if your area receives regular precipitation and rarely has drought-like conditions. However, if you live in an area that suffers D1 or worse conditions, it’s safe to say low water landscaping is a good choice.
• Consider hardscaping features. A combination of landscaping and hardscaping will add beauty and functionality to your yard. Hardscaping features like benches, paths, and brickwork can enhance your new xeriscaped lawn.

Planning the design, tasks, and timeline for xeriscaping will set up your project for success. And don’t forget to determine your budget. Creating a yard that requires less irrigation will be an investment, especially if you add hardscaping and other outdoor living features. Once you’ve established a project plan, it’s time to start xeriscaping.

Related Topic: Low Maintenance Landscaping Ideas for Your Home

Identifying which areas of your yard get the most sunlight throughout the day will help you determine the best spots for plants and where you should position features like a patio or seating area. Let’s take a closer look at some optimal plant choices, hardscaping ideas, and other expert suggestions to make your lawn look gorgeous while reducing your need for irrigation.

What Plants Are Good for Xeriscaping?

People tend to think of bushes or shrubs, but xeriscaping can include trees, flowers, grasses, or other forms of ground cover. When selecting plants, learn about their seasonality and water and sunlight requirements to help you make the best choice. For example, certain flowers and grasses thrive during certain times of the year, so selecting plants that peak at different times will ensure your yard always has something in bloom.

Here are some of our favorite plant choices for a xeriscape garden:

• Cushion spurge
• German iris
• Beauty bush
• Hens and chicks
• Sweet woodruff
• Blu Mexican feather grass
• Lyme Grass

How to Xeriscape and Hardscape Your Lawn

If you want to save water and reduce the environmental and structural impact associated with building a lawn, hardscaping can help you achieve your goals. Hardscaping includes elements of a yard that aren’t alive. These may be human-made features or other non-living items like landscaping rocks or flagstone.

Some hardscaping ideas to add variety to a xeriscaped yard include:

• Decorative stone walls
• Gravel or stone pathways
• Patios (brick, flagstone, or concrete)
• Pergolas and gazebos
• Statues or other accent pieces

The options are numerous when it comes to xeriscaping and hardscaping your lawn. Your only limits are creativity, budget, and skill. Although it’s exciting to think about transforming your property, managing the project on your own can also be overwhelming. So don’t be afraid to reach out to the experts for assistance.

Find a Local Landscape Service Professional

No matter what goals you want to achieve with your landscaping, The Ground Guys are here to help. From consultation and guidance to landscape installation and landscape maintenance, our experienced team can expertly perform and manage every step of your xeriscape landscaping project. Are you ready to make your lawn less dependent on irrigation? Call us or request a job estimate online for local landscape design services you can trust.