Xeriscaping is a landscaping concept that saves water through careful planning and design. It groups plants with similar water needs together and uses mulch and efficient irrigation. The goal is to create an attractive landscape that requires little water. Key principles include improving soil, using native and drought-tolerant plants, minimizing turf areas, watering efficiently, and mulching exposed soil. Xeriscaping can be colorful and diverse while reducing the need for fertilizers and frequent watering typical of traditional landscapes.

1. Landscape | O n S i t e s
Xeriscaping
of fertilizer and frequent lawn
Objective: to explain the concept and basic principles mowing, to encourage longer,
of xeriscaping. drought-tolerant turf. Monitor for
disease and insect infestations,
Training Materials: plants appropriate for xeriscape. to manage outbreaks early.
A xeriscape does not have to be
Lesson: Xeriscaping is the water wise gardens, as are a boring mono-culture of spiny
concept of saving water in many annuals that originated in plants in rocks and gravel. With
attractively landscaped areas. Australia and Africa. Remember careful planning a xeriscape can
It is not necessarily a dry, rocky that plants with like moisture be a lush colourful garden with
arid-looking landscape, but uses requirements should be grouped a diverse mix of plants - and
several different principles to together. require a lot less water.
create a striking landscape with
reduced water requirements. 4. Turf areas, that require large Examples of xeriscape plants;
Xeriscaping combines the Greek amounts of water, should be Trees: ash, honeylocust,
word xeros – meaning dry, with minimized. Think of xeriscaping Kentucky coffee tree, catalpa,
landscaping. as ‘less-lawn landscaping.’ A burr oak
more drought-tolerant grass
By definition, Xeriscape blend should be chosen for the Shrubs: pea shrub, cotoneaster,
means some water applied in lawn in the spirit of xeriscaping. sea-buckthorn, juniper,
well-controlled amounts and potentilla, sumac, yucca
locations in the landscape. 5. Water the landscape
efficiently. Make sure water only Perennials: Yarrow, thrift,
1. Through water-wise falls on landscaped areas. Water coreopsis, Echinacea, Gaillardia,
planning and design, groups in early morning or evening to lavender, penstemon,
of plants with similar cultural reduce loss from evaporation. Rudbeckia, sedum
requirements (water, exposure)
are placed together. Steep Adjust the watering times of Annuals: marigolds, zinnia,
slopes that require greater automatic irrigation systems at cockscomb, verbena, portulaca,
amounts of water are least once a month to meet the amaranthus
terraced to reduced irrigation seasonal water needs.
requirements.
Install different irrigation zones
2. As in any healthy garden, soil for trees, shrubs and planting
plays a vital role. Clay soils drain beds. Using water efficient drip
very poorly, while sandy soils irrigation applies a low volume
drain too quickly, so improving of water that will soak deeply
the soil with the addition of into the soil. • Xeriscaping
organic matter is necessary.
6. Mulching exposed soil areas
is the concept
3. Native, or indigenous, plants will help keep soil cooler, retain of saving water
are naturally adapted to local more water and reduce runoff.
soils and rainfall, but xeriscape in attractively
gardens can include other types 7. While xeriscape landscapes landscaped areas.
of plants as well. Perennials are not no-maintenance, they
and herbs that come from the often have reduced maintenance
Mediterranean are suited to requirements. Avoid high levels
page 122 Canadian Nursery Landscape Association

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