Quick Facts On Xeriscape: How to Save Water Through Water-Smart Landscaping

1. S O U T H F L O R I D A W A T E R M A N A G E M E N T D I S T R I C T
Xeriscape:
How to Save Water Through
Water-smart Landscaping
MARCH 12, 2001
The South Florida Water Did you know that half of residential water planting. You can mix organic matter such as
Management District is used for outdoor irrigation? You can cut compost, peat, manure or topsoil into sandy
is a regional, governmental your outdoor water use substantially with soils for enrichment and to retain moisture.
agency that oversees the water-conserving plants and use of
water resources in the 4. Have limited turf areas. Turf is the single
Xeriscape principles.
southern half of the state. It largest consumer of water in a landscape.
is the oldest and largest of Xeriscape is water conservation through Always look for drought-tolerant turf varieties.
the state’s five water creative landscaping. The term Xeriscaping Consider mulch as an alternative to turf.
management districts. means water-conserving, drought-tolerant Avoid long, narrow turf areas because they
landscaping, or simply the use of the right are difficult to water efficiently.
Our Mission is to manage
and protect water resources plant in the right place—with proper
5. Water wisely. Drought-tolerant plants can
of the region by balancing maintenance and water-wise watering.
survive mostly on rainfall. If watering is
and improving water Follow the seven fundamentals of Xeriscape necessary, do it only in the early morning,
quality, flood control, systematically and you’ll be well on your way and in accordance with any water restrictions,
natural systems, and water to saving water! to reduce evaporation. Remember, Florida
supply.
Statutes require that all new automatic lawn
1. Design your landscape. Careful planning
sprinkler systems must have a rain sensor
is crucial to the long-term success of a Xeriscape
device or shut-off switch which overrides the
landscape. You can minimize your initial
system cycle following adequate rainfall.
investment by installing your Xeriscape in
Water trees, shrubs, flowers and ground
phases. First, make a simple site plan drawing
covers with low-volume drip or spray heads.
of your property. Note slopes, drainage prob-
These low-volume methods include “soaker
lems and existing plants and trees. Also note
hoses” in which water escapes through tiny
shaded and sunny areas. Determine the areas
holes in the hose. Apply the “soaker hose” to
that will be irrigated when you select plants.
the root zone of the plant so that the water
2. Select the right plant for the right does not run off the root area.
area. Select and group plants according to
6. Use mulches. Mulches limit weed growth
their water needs to eliminate unnecessary
and retain moisture. Two to three inches of
watering. You should have three zones in
mulch on garden beds and walkways also
Sea grape your site plan:
reduces weed growth and slows erosion.
Natural zones: Plants in this area can live Avoid cypress mulch. Use other organic
on rainfall. They can be native plants or mulches such as recycled mulch, bark chips,
cultivated plants that have adapted to Florida. wood shavings or pine straw/needles.
Low water or “drought-tolerant” zones: Plants 7. Properly maintain your landscape.
in these areas can survive mostly on rainfall. Overwatering increases the risk of plant
Moderate or “oasis” water zones: These disease. To encourage deep rooting and more
areas require regular watering and should be drought-resistance, water plants thoroughly
limited as accents in your Xeriscape. Keep without over-watering.
these zones functional, such as entryways,
Fertilize properly: excessive fertilizer promotes
turf areas and fruit or vegetable gardens.
fast, but weak growth and actually increases a
3. Analyze the soil. Determine the acid and plant’s water needs, as does over-pruning.
alkaline levels (pH) of your soil before

2. XERISCAPE
Plants for Your Xeriscape Palms and Cycads
Some people think of a desert scene when they hear “Xeriscape,” Buccaneer or Sargent’s palm
(Pseudophoenix sargentii)
but this is not the look of a typical Xeriscape. Some of the “Florida
Cabbage palm (Sabal palmetto)
Favorites” you can use for your Xeriscape landscape are listed here.
Coontie (Zamia pumila)
Several of them are lush and tropical-looking. They will add to the Paurotis/Everglades palm
beauty of your landscape while conserving water. (Acoelorrhaphe wrightii)
Consult your nursery professional for information on which of Queen sago (Cycas circinalis)
Royal palm (Roystonea elata)
these plants are appropriate for your region.
Saw palmetto (Serenoa repens)
A successfully Xeriscaped yard
Thatch palm (Thrinax spp.)
Trees
Bald cypress (Taxodium distichum)
Ferns
Dahoon holly (Ilex cassine) Boston fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)
Geiger tree (Cordia sebestena) Leather fern (Acrostichum danaeifolium)
Gumbo Limbo (Bursera simaruba) Swamp fern (Blechnum serrulatum)
Ironwood (Krugiodendron ferreum)
Live oak (Quercus virginiana) Accent Grasses, Vines and
Magnolia, southern
(Magnolia grandiflora)
Groundcovers
Magnolia, sweet bay Sweet bay magnolia Bougainvillea (Bouganvillea spectabilis)
(Magnolia virginiana) Coral honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens)
Myrsine (Rapanea guianensis) Cordgrass (Spartina bakeri)
Paradise tree (Simarouba glauca) Corky-stemmed passion-flower (Passiflora suberosa)
Pigeon plum (Coccoloba diversifolia) Fakahatchee grass (Tripsacum dactyloides)
Red bay (Persea borbonia) Florida gama grass (Tripsacum floridanum)
Red maple (Acer rubrum) Lantana, trailing (Lantana montevidensis)
Sea grape (Coccoloba uvifera) Liriope (Liriope muscari)
Silver buttonwood (Conocarpus erectus var. sericeus) Mondo grass (Ophiopogon japonicus)
Simpson’s stopper (Myricanthes fragrans) Purple love grass (Eragrostis spectabilis)
Slash pine (Pinus elliottii) Railroad vine (Ipomoea pes-caprae)
Southern red cedar (Juniperus silicicola) Sea oats (Uniola paniculata)
Trumpet tree (Tabebuia spp.)
Annuals/Perennials/Wildflowers
Shrubs
Beach sunflower (Helianthus debilis)
Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana) Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)
Cocoplum (Chrysobalanus icaco) Blanket flower (Gaillardia pulchella)
Coral bean (Erythrina herbacea) Lantana, pineland
Crinum lily (Crinum asiaticum) (Lantana depressa)
Firebush (Hamelia patens) Lantana, wild (Lantana involucrata)
Florida privet (Forestiera segregata) Pentas (Pentas lanceolata)
Holly, Stokes dwarf (Ilex vomitoria) Porter weed
Jamaica caper (Capparis cyanophallophora) (Stachytarpheta jamaicensis)
Marlberry (Ardisia escallonioides) Sea oxeye daisy
Necklace pod (Sophora tomentosa) (Borrichia frutescens)
Walter’s viburnum (Viburnum obovatum) Spider lily (Hymenocallis latifolia)
Wax myrtle (Myrica cerifera) Tickseed (Coreopsis leavenworthii) Blanket flower
White indigo berry(Randia aculeata)
White stopper (Eugenia axillaris) Xeriscape and save time, money and water! For more
Wild coffee (Psychotria nervosa) information, go to sfwmd.gov.
Wild coffee, dwarf (Psychotria ligustrifolia)
SERVICE CENTERS Martin/St. Lucie
561-223-2600 or 800-250-4100
South Florida Water Management District Big Cypress Basin Miami/Dade
3301 Gun Club Road 941-597-1505 305-377-7274 or 800-250-4300
West Palm Beach, Florida 33406 Broward Okeechobee
561-686-8800 • FL WATS 800-432-2045 954-713-3200 863-462-5260 or 800-250-4200
www.sfwmd.gov Fort Myers Orlando
941-338-2929 or 800-248-1201 407-858-6100 or 800-250-4250
KR 4/18/01
MAILING ADDRESS: P.O. Box 24680 Florida Keys Palm Beach
West Palm Beach, FL 33416-4680 305-289-2739 or 800-464-5067 561-682-6302 or 800-432-2045 ext. 6302