This document provides information on planting and maintaining a xeriscape garden using drought-tolerant plants. It lists several perennials, shrubs, trees, and groundcovers suitable for high-altitude gardens, along with their heights. It emphasizes the importance of proper irrigation, pruning, fertilizing, weeding, planting at the right times, and maintaining lawns above 2-3 inches. It encourages incorporating organic matter into soil, avoiding compaction, and using mulch to conserve water and create a sustainable landscape.

1. 7. Maintain Properly Perennials Shrubs
Day Lily Curl-leaf Mountain Mahogany
Your garden will flourish with routine and proper Hermerocallis sp. Cercocarpus ledifolius
maintenance. In addition, you will save time, water Height: 1’-3.5’ Height: 4’-15’
and money! Blanketflower Lilac
Gaillardia aristata Syringa vulgaris
Height: 2’-3’ Height: 8’-20’
• It is important to keep irrigation systems running
properly. Ask your landscaper to assess your
irrigation for needed improvements.
Sulphur Buckwheat
Eriogonum umbellatum
Height: 6-12”
Fernbush
Chamaebatiara millefolium
Height: 7’
Xeriscape Gardening
• Change the timers on your sprinklers as the season Lovely Penstemon Syringa or Mock Orange
7 Principles
changes and when plants become more established. Penstemon venustus Philadelphus lewisii
Height: 2’-4’ Height: 5’-9’
• Prune and fertilize when needed. Research what
your plants require first. Firecracker Penstemon Trees
Penstemon eotonii
• Weed Height: 2-3’ Chokecherry
• Plant in the spring and fall. Prunus virginiana
Dark Blue Penstemon Height: 20’-30’
• Be sure to keep your lawn at least 2-3” tall. A Penstemon cyaneus
Height: 2’-3’ Bristlecone Pine
longer cut promotes deep roots and a living Pinus aristata
mulch, ultimately requiring less water use. Prairie Coneflower Height: 20’-30’
Leave your clippings on the lawn. This will help Ratibida columifera
Height: 1.5’ -3’ Sensation Box Elder
to improve soil structure, fertility, and water retention. Acer negundo ‘Sensation’
Orange Globe Mallow Height: 30’
Sources: Sphaeralcea munroana
(low growing) Groundcovers
University of Idaho Cooperative Extension System Publication: Blue Flax Snow in Summer
CIS:990. Linum perenne var. lewisii Cerastium tomentosum
Height: 12”-18” Height: 8”-12”
Water, Denver; Xeriscape Color Guide. 1998.
Columbine Pink Chintz Thyme
Sawtooth Botanical Garden’s Home Demonstration Garden Thymus praecox arcticus cv.
Aquilegia canadensis
Height: 1’-2’ Height: 1”-2”
Kinnikinnick
Vines Arctostaphylos uva-ursi
Height: 6-12”
Virginia Creeper (Part Shade Plant)
Parthenocissus quinquefolia
Hen and Chicks
Hops Sempervivum tectorum
Humulus lupulus Height: 3”-6”
Our Mission
The Sawtooth Botanical Garden is a community
resource showcasing native and cultivated plants
that flourish at high altitude. The Garden connects
Sawtooth Botanical Garden people to the region’s unique beauty and fosters
is located on the corner of
environmental stewardship through education,
Highway 75 & Gimlet Road • 11 Gimlet Road
Ketchum, Idaho 83340 events, displays and plant collections.
P.O. Box 928 Sun Valley, ID 83353
This brochure was made possible by the generosity 208.726.9358 • www.sbgarden.org 208.726.9358 • www.sbgarden.org
of the Lightfoot Foundation.

2. South Central Idaho is associated with the High Altitude Think about the purpose of the planting. For example: For example: What pH does your plant prefer? Is the plant
Sagebrush-Desert Biome. The Wood River Valley only Do you want to add color, screening, attract birds and more partial to sandy or clay soils?
receives an average rainfall of 1.4” in the spring and pollinators, or simply wish to reduce your lawn? Till in organic matter such as shredded bark, leaves,
.7” of rain in the summer. This arid climate makes water Think about tree function, utilities, decks and patios. straw, peat moss, or compost. This will help the soil
conservation a top priority in our region. Idaho ranks Think about plant texture, color, bloom time, and plant size. hold moisture, improve aeration, and ease drainage.
among the top four states in the nation for fresh water Be sure to keep in mind the plant nutrient needs so you
consumption! Irrigation accounted for 85 percent of the Group plants by: do not overdo it!
water withdrawn in Idaho in 2005. Avoid compaction of soil in order to maintain air spaces.
• Water needs. Create different water zones according
(USGS Fact Sheet 2009-3098) If planting a lawn, aerate to avoid long term compaction.
to the plant needs.
• Soil type
Do your part and create a sustainable • Microclimate
5. Use Mulch
backyard landscape! • Maintenance requirements Mulch is defined as either organic material such as bark,
compost and straw, or inorganic, such as rock or
What does xeriscaping mean? 2. Design Practical Turf Areas landscape fabric. Avoid using any plastic because it
Xeriscaping is the use of drought tolerant plant species prevents water and air exchange. Lay down 3-5” of mulch
When sketching your lawn area ask yourself:
combined with creative landscaping practices to conserve after planting.
• How much lawn will I actually use?
water. It does not mean zero-scaping or an absence of all Limit the lawn area to that amount! Mulching helps to:
vegetation and beauty. • What is the location, size and shape of the lawn? • Retain moisture
• Do you really need long skinny strips? • Inhibit weed growth
What are the benefits of xeriscaping? It is easier to maintain and water large round areas. • Prevent soil compaction
• Could you replace some lawn with a water permeable • Moderate soil temperature
The biggest benefit is the reduction of water usage. Water
conservation is extremely important in the arid west. hard-scape, for example a patio deck?
• Could you use a more drought-tolerant grass such 6. Irrigate Efficiently
Landscaping needs usually account for 30-50% of
as Buffalo Grass or a turf fescue? Proper irrigation is crucial when designing your
domestic water use.
xeriscape garden. Follow these tips:
Other benefits include: 3. Use Appropriate Plants • Water deeply and less often. This encourages the
• Low maintenance Here in Idaho, you’ll want to choose plants that are growth of deeper roots. If you water too often your
• Protects water quality cold hardy and can endure hot summer temperatures. plants will grow shallow roots and become dependant
Use natives or well adapted exotics. on the frequent irrigation.
• Increases the health and beauty of your surroundings
Choose perennials. Annuals are generally high maintenance • Water early in the morning or late at night to
• Decreases the need for pest control avoid evaporative loss.
and require greater amounts of water.
• Saves the homeowner money • Drip, pop-up, and micro-sprays are the recommended
Group plants with the same water needs.
forms of irrigation.
Water Zones could be grouped as:
• Automatic timers are the easiest way to make
Seven Principles of Xeriscaping 1. Little or no irrigation (once established) sure your garden is successful. They also ease
2. Monthly irrigation maintenance.
1. Plan and Design 3. Irrigation every 2 weeks • Water according to each seasonal demand.
This first step applies if you are redesigning an existing 4. Weekly irrigation and irrigation 2x per week For example: in spring and fall you will generally
5. High water usage area (ie: Vegetable Garden) water less than mid-summer.
garden or planting a new one. Sketch existing structures
and vegetation and note what you hope to change or
add to your landscape. In addition, identify other existing
4. Improve the Soil
features on your property such as: slope, view, sunlight, Get a soil analysis before you start planting.
shade, drainage & water availability. Learn the soil needs of each plant you are adding.