In Boise, Idaho – where I’m located – mostly everyone gets their irrigation water through their local irrigation district. Our irrigation turns on and off at certain times of the year depending on availability and is provided to the Treasure Valley via canal system (which stretches over 1000 miles long!). When it gets as hot as it does here (over 100F) and for days on end in the summer, irrigation systems can get stressed, and the typical lawn starts to die and turn brown.
In dry, arid regions like Boise, xeriscape design is used to help lessen the burden on our irrigation systems so water can continue to be used for crops grown throughout the valley. So, what is xeriscape design? Xeriscaping is simply a type of landscape design that requires little, or no irrigation or excessive maintenance once established. While many might relate xeriscaping to the desert, that doesn’t mean it has to look dry or barren. Using native and non-native plants, you can create a colorful and drought tolerant outdoor space you’ll enjoy for years to come.
Xeriscape landscape design typically has 7 elements present.
The Site Plan
This part is crucial to making sure the rest of the elements succeed in your design. You’ll want to take note of which part of your yard has full sun, partial sun, and full shade. If you have slopes or wet areas that’s also good to know. Do you have space to add shade trees? This will help you place and group plants according to their sun and water needs. While you can certainly use non-native plants and plants that require more upkeep, your xeriscape garden will do best using plants that are native or known to do well in your area during low water times. The right plant, in the right spot will help your garden thrive instead of just survive.
Soil Improvement
While most xeric plants will do just fine in the native soil, it doesn’t hurt to add a bit of soil amendment before planting to help them out. If you choose to improve the soil, you’ll want to add good quality organic matter. Soil rich in organic matter will help plants develop a deep root system and will typically hold water better which will lessen the need for extra watering.
Irrigation
I know I know; this sounds contradictory to include this in xeriscaping but the key phrase to remember is that xeric plants are drought tolerant once established. This can typically take 2-3 years before plants have a deep enough root system to withstand long periods of drought. It’s best to install a drip irrigation system for your planting beds as this gets the water right where it needs to be (at the root zone) and in turn reduces evaporation. While lawn isn’t normally part of xeriscape designs, if you do have a lawn, make sure your spray or rotors for the lawn irrigation are low volume heads so that the soil can absorb the water rather than it being waster and running down the sidewalk.
Water Harvesting
Related to irrigation, another way to water your plants is by harvesting and using rainwater. This is especially helpful if you decide to have a portion of your xeriscape garden dedicated to plants that need a bit more water. Rain barrels are a great way to collect and store rainwater, but you can also channel storm water runoff via dry stream beds, slopes, and berms and then plant more water loving plants in those lower spots on your site. Those living in the Pacific Northwest can really take advantage of harvesting rainwater and many counties and cities have programs and benefits for rainwater collection and are a great place to start if you’re considering that.
Keep lawn to a minimum
Whether you have kids or pets, sometimes grass becomes a necessity for our gardens. Because grass requires more water and maintenance than most plants, it’s best to keep the amount you have to a minimum for your high use areas. If you are wanting grass mostly as a ground cover rather than a used space, you could consider lawn alternatives like drought tolerant wildflower seed mixes, steppable ground covers, or ornamental grasses that will provide a pleasing green space that requires less maintenance and water.
Mulch
You can choose to use an organic mulch or a cobble or gravel mulch. Both have their benefits and provide a different aesthetic to the garden. They both hold soil moisture and temperature, controls weed growth, and slows slope erosion. Organic mulch will break down and continually feed your soil but will need to be replenished/replaced about once a year while cobble or gravel doesn’t add organic matter to your soil but will not need to be replaced nearly as often. Gravel or cobble is a great option if you want your planting beds to look clean and tidy year-round or you like a minimalist aesthetic while organic mulch can provide a more traditional planting bed look and feel.
Maintenance
Although some of us wish it were true, there is no such thing as a maintenance free landscape. Things are constantly changing and growing and even the most low maintenance designs, like xeriscaping, require some amount of upkeep throughout the year. Weeding will be one of the most important things you can do for your garden. Weeds not only take up space but take up valuable water and nutrients. Monitor your irrigation system for damages and leaks and use a controller with a timer to water your plants efficiently and effectively. Most xeric plants won’t require much for pruning but if you’ve added trees or larger shrubs, you’ll want to at least trim out any dead branches. The first 2-3 years will be your most time and resource intensive part but once the plants have developed those deep root systems and start to grow and fill in throughout your garden, you’ll start to be able to cut back on watering and maintenance. The work will be worth it!
Xeriscape plants range from the more commonly known ones like succulents to flowering and leafy trees and shrubs. These are just very small selection of plants that are great options to use in xeriscape landscape designs in the Pacific Northwest:
Trees
Shrubs
Perennials
Grasses
Groundcovers
What’s your favorite part of xeriscaping? Let us know in the comments, we’d love to hear from you!
~Colleen
