This document discusses low-maintenance landscaping solutions for intermountain regions that conserve water. It faces challenges like temperature extremes, short growing seasons, winds, and poor soil. Recommended solutions include windbreaks, xeriscaping with native drought-resistant plants, soil amendment, and drip irrigation. Xeriscaping uses planting strategies that require no or little additional watering. Native plants are adapted to the local climate and prevent erosion while supporting pollinators with little maintenance needed.

1. Water-Saving
Landscaping
LOW-MAINTENANCE SOLUTIONS FOR
INTERMOUNTAIN REGIONS

2. 2
Challenges

Hot temperatures

Cold temperatures

Shorter growing season

Drying winds

Deluge/drought

Poor soil

3. 3
Solutions

Windbreaks

Xeriscaping

Soil amendment

Native plants

4. 4
Windbreaks

Structures

Fences

Walls

5. 5
Windbreaks

Plants

Tree lines

Hedges

6. 6
Water Cycle

Clouds

Condensation and
Precipitation

Runoff and Percolation

Evaporation

Transpiration

7. Water Consumption
Activity
Average
Conservative
Brushing teeth
2
0.5
Washing hands
2
0.5
Toilet flush
5
2
Shaving
10
5
Shower (8 min.)
20
15
Bath
36
15
Dishwasher
15
7
Dishes by hand
20
5
300
Clothes washer
40
25
250
Lawn (20 min.)
200
200
7
200
400
350
150
100
50
0
Average
Conservative

8. 8
Xeriscaping
•
Planting strategies that
conserve water

9. 9
Xeriscaping

No additional watering

10. 10
Xeriscaping

Drip irrigation

11. 11
Soil
Amendment

Eastern Washington
loses more than
10 tons of soil per acre
per year
to rainfall runoff

12. 12
Native Plants

Tolerate temperature
range

Tolerate drought

Prevent erosion

Support natural
ecosystem

Attract pollinators

Need little or no
maintenance

Sustainable

13. Temperature Range
13
Seasonal Temperatures
Winter
Spring
Summer
Fall
Minimum
18
41
73
43
Average
29
57
89
54
Maximum
40
72
105
65
Seasonal Temperatures
100%
80%
60%
40%
20%
0%
Minimum
Winter
Average
Spring
Maximum
Summer
Fall

14. Native Plants
Photos courtesy of Rugged Country Plants
14