Xeriscaping Across the USA: The Have's and the Have-Nots

The uses of native plants in any region is the key to xeriscaping.

Salvia nemerosa 'May Night'
Item # 84780 		Salvia nemorosa 'May Night'
May Night Meadow Sage

each $5.49
3 or more $5.29
Cerastium tomentosum
Item # 32570 		Cerastium tomentosum
Snow-in-Summer

each $5.49
3 to 6 plants $5.29
7 or more $4.99
Low Work and Water Dwarf Fescue Lawn Seed Mix
Item # 52000 		'Low Work and Water' Dwarf Fescue Lawn Seed Mix

each $39.95
The Jumbo Waterwise Garden
Item # 99503 		The Jumbo Waterwise Garden

each $93.82

Item # 99804 		Deep Water Pumpkin Ollas (Oy-yas)

each $24.95
2 or more $22.95

Item # 99579 		Intense Colors Combo

Combo $37.44
Hot Combo #2
Item # 99571 		Spike and Umbel Combo

Combo $37.44

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As the planting season approaches, water availability across the United States is a mix of good and bad news. For the “have” gardeners in the East, this season is ideal for replacing thirsty landscapes with more water-smart plantings. After all, even xeric plants need adequate rainfall and irrigation to establish their extensive roots and become resistant to heat and drought.

For the “have nots” in the West, this is usually a challenging time. Those of us with existing xeriscapes will still have nice yards. But others whose drought-stricken yards are damaged, undertaking a complete replacement could be chancy. There may not be enough water to establish new plants. Instead, smaller plantings of xeric perennials and preparations for larger scale changes can be undertaken.

Following is a quick review of the key Principles of Xeriscaping (water-smart gardening):

  • 1) downsize water intensive turf areas
  • 2) use appropriate plants
  • 3) improve the soil
  • 4) use mulches
  • 5) irrigate efficiently
  • 6) capture rain and snow run-off and
  • 7) maintain your landscape properly to minimize water use.

Whether you are a “have” or “have not” gardener this season, planning your conversion to a water-smart landscape is wise for an overall environmental concern. Water is fast becoming a precious resource worldwide. When you consider your own yard, take appropriate steps. Traditional lawn-dominated landscapes use water equally on all parts of the yard. A xeriscaped yard saves water by budgeting its use and prioritizing how much water the different areas of a yard will receive. This is accomplished by zoning water use.

Visualize your yard as an archery target with your home as the center. The “oasis” zone is the part of the yard that surrounds the house, porch and patio. These visually important areas are the focal point of your landscape. This is where you should place any water features such as ponds and fountains and plant your most water intensive greenery. The “transitional” zone is the next ring out as you move toward the edges of your lot. Use moderate to low water-use plants here. The “xeric” zone encompasses the furthest, least frequently used and seen parts of your yard. This is where you plant the most xeric plants that rarely need supplemental water after becoming established. In dry times, a zoned landscape conserves water by needing less. When water restrictions occur, watering is concentrated on the “oasis” area of the yard.

For maximum water savings, reducing the square footage of your lawn should be your first step. Particularly in the Western U.S. replacing water intensive Kentucky Blue Grass with native turf grasses, water-thrifty Dwarf Fescue blends or groundcovers will result in dramatic water savings. Using native turf grasses also reduces lawn care expenses and lawn chemical and fertilizer use in all parts of the country. In many commercial and residential landscapes, lawns are not functional (kid’s play areas) and are used only as green groundcovers. A lawn can be replaced with herbaceous and woody groundcovers where foot traffic is not an issue, and with native turf grasses where it doesn’t get intensive foot traffic or kids’ play. In rural areas, homeowners with larger properties are re-establishing prairie grasses and wildflowers around their homes.

Converting old lawns to native Blue Grama or Legacy® Buffalo Grass turf is water intensive during the first growing season. For “haves” in regions where there are no watering restrictions, this season is the time to do it. For “have nots” in areas with water restrictions planting Buffalo Grass plugs or sowing Blue Grama grass seed as replacement lawns must wait. But all is not lost. New perennial beds can be carved out of lawn areas, sprinkler systems can be reconfigured to accommodate a smaller lawn while portions of the lawn that you plan to replace can go dry. Alternately, Kentucky Blue Grass can be removed and replaced with xeric groundcovers (Snow-in-Summer, Hardy Plumbago and groundcover Speedwells). Or if watering is permitted at least twice a week plant low growing woody plants (Gro-low Sumac, Gray Santolina and various groundcover junipers).

When it is time to plant more xeric (water-smart ) plants, educate yourself about the wide variety of native and adapted plants that are suited to your region, climate and soil type. One key to the use of xeric perennials is to make sure that soil drainage is adequate. Many native plants like Beardtongues (Penstemon) require fast draining soil. When planting in areas of the U.S. that typically receive more abundant rain and snow, examine your soil for its clay content and test the drainage (see the following article). If clay soil is what you have to work with, then be sure to select clay-loving plants like Buffalo Grass, Poppy Mallow (Callirhoe) and the European sage cultivars (Salvia x sylvestris ‘Red Queen’ and Salvia nemerosa ‘May Night’). As a practical matter, the use of xeric plants that require quick drainage will be confined to smaller bermed (mounded) areas and raised beds.

A well designed water-smart yard or commercial landscape is not only more water efficient, but less labor intensive. At the same time smaller swatches of water intensive turf allow us to plant more perennial flowers, trees and shrubs. This adds beauty, color and shade to surroundings while creating a more environmentally friendly place for songbirds, hummingbirds, butterflies and beneficial insects. So whether you are a “have” or “have not” this planting season, there are many positive steps you can do to move toward a more water-smart landscape.