7 Laws of Xeriscaping Explained: All You Need to Know
Get inspired by this gardening practice centred on drought resistance and good water management
Anja Winnes
24 November 2020
The term ‘xeriscaping’ combines the Greek word ‘xero’ (’dry’) with the English ‘landscaping’. Coined and trademarked in the early 1980s by the Denver Water Department in the USA, it stands for a step back from lush lawns and water-guzzling plants. Instead, it privileges landscaping that is tailored to the predominantly desert-like climate of the US south-west – similar to parts of Australia. These gardens are instantly recognisable for their boulders, gravel and drought-tolerant plants including cacti, agave and succulents, which also thrive in many regions here.
Landscaping with stone and frost-sensitive Mediterranean plants is only of limited use in some climates and latitudes. However, gardeners can still learn something from the practice, especially as global warming means that more and more regions may have to deal with drought conditions in future. Wherever you live, it’s worth being aware of the seven guiding principles of xeriscaping.
Tempted to redesign your outdoor area? Find a landscaping professional near you for expert advice
Tempted to redesign your outdoor area? Find a landscaping professional near you for expert advice
1. Landscape planning
Xeriscaping is a form of landscaping that offers especially efficient water management. Those planning a new garden can have a discernable influence on its water needs, particularly through the selection and allocation of plants.
Areas with uncovered, open ground should be avoided, because they allow significantly more evaporation to take place than planted areas: fields of perennials require less water than lawn. Mulching and planting around trees is useful, and the sweeping canopies of large, drought-tolerant trees likewise protect the beds underneath from drying out.
In an existing garden, it is best to have a professional take stock and review the drought-tolerance and water use of various areas of the garden. Updating an existing garden as a whole or in part makes it possible to at least optimise its water consumption.
Xeriscaping is a form of landscaping that offers especially efficient water management. Those planning a new garden can have a discernable influence on its water needs, particularly through the selection and allocation of plants.
Areas with uncovered, open ground should be avoided, because they allow significantly more evaporation to take place than planted areas: fields of perennials require less water than lawn. Mulching and planting around trees is useful, and the sweeping canopies of large, drought-tolerant trees likewise protect the beds underneath from drying out.
In an existing garden, it is best to have a professional take stock and review the drought-tolerance and water use of various areas of the garden. Updating an existing garden as a whole or in part makes it possible to at least optimise its water consumption.
2. Soil improvement
Ground that doesn’t retain water is a big problem. If rainfall and irrigation water percolate deep underground instead of being retained by the soil, they are no longer available to plants. Mixing in compost is one way of improving the soil’s water-holding capacity.
Generally, one should check the ground quality before selecting plants: sandy soil is very water-permeable and calls for more drought-tolerant plants, while clay-rich soils store water very well. Alternatively, the soil itself can be adapted.
Ground that doesn’t retain water is a big problem. If rainfall and irrigation water percolate deep underground instead of being retained by the soil, they are no longer available to plants. Mixing in compost is one way of improving the soil’s water-holding capacity.
Generally, one should check the ground quality before selecting plants: sandy soil is very water-permeable and calls for more drought-tolerant plants, while clay-rich soils store water very well. Alternatively, the soil itself can be adapted.
3. Efficient watering
Much of central Europe has experienced several years in a row of drought conditions in the summer as well as other months in the year. Official measures have included calling on citizens to adopt trees and take over flower beds to water them and save them from drying out, as was done in Nuremberg, Germany.
With climate change this may become a recurring and ever more pressing need, so it is important to plan your garden in such a way that it needs as little watering as possible.
There are a few things that help reduce water requirements. Water in the morning or evening to avoid evaporation. Use a drip irrigation system (pictured) instead of sprinklers. Big drops delivered as close to the soil as possible are best – fine mists are taboo! Automatic irrigation systems should be tied to a rain sensor so they turn off when it’s raining.
Much of central Europe has experienced several years in a row of drought conditions in the summer as well as other months in the year. Official measures have included calling on citizens to adopt trees and take over flower beds to water them and save them from drying out, as was done in Nuremberg, Germany.
With climate change this may become a recurring and ever more pressing need, so it is important to plan your garden in such a way that it needs as little watering as possible.
There are a few things that help reduce water requirements. Water in the morning or evening to avoid evaporation. Use a drip irrigation system (pictured) instead of sprinklers. Big drops delivered as close to the soil as possible are best – fine mists are taboo! Automatic irrigation systems should be tied to a rain sensor so they turn off when it’s raining.
Use rainwater instead of tap water. This is sustainable, cost-effective and does the plants good, because rainwater has a lower pH value (meaning it is more acidic).
It makes sense to set up rainwater tanks or rain barrels and catch water from your home’s eves if possible. An underground reservoir is another alternative. These collect water during wetter periods, to be pumped back up in summer to be used for watering, among other things.
It makes sense to set up rainwater tanks or rain barrels and catch water from your home’s eves if possible. An underground reservoir is another alternative. These collect water during wetter periods, to be pumped back up in summer to be used for watering, among other things.
4. Appropriate plant selection
Unlike other forms of eco landscaping, xeriscaping not only uses native plants, but also imported species that are suited to local conditions. Cactuses and succulents – which are beloved xeriscaping plants in the south-western USA – are usually not frost tolerant enough for higher altitudes or lower latitudes in Australia, so can therefore only be used in a limited capacity.
Often better for our climate are Mediterranean plants including thyme, sage, oregano and lavender, which do well with drought. Drought-tolerant plants, species suited to rockeries and most Australian natives do not need artificial irrigation in dry periods. You can also look to the plants used in extensive green roofing for inspiration.
Unlike other forms of eco landscaping, xeriscaping not only uses native plants, but also imported species that are suited to local conditions. Cactuses and succulents – which are beloved xeriscaping plants in the south-western USA – are usually not frost tolerant enough for higher altitudes or lower latitudes in Australia, so can therefore only be used in a limited capacity.
Often better for our climate are Mediterranean plants including thyme, sage, oregano and lavender, which do well with drought. Drought-tolerant plants, species suited to rockeries and most Australian natives do not need artificial irrigation in dry periods. You can also look to the plants used in extensive green roofing for inspiration.
Perennials’ preferred habitats are a good guide for figuring out which ones to use in your garden. They might for example be suitable for meadow-like gardens, alkaline soil or rocky ground. When buying a plant, check the label – it will help divide plants that do best in wetter conditions from others that prefer dryer locations.
Plants minimise their evaporation through various strategies. They might protect their leaves with fine hairs or a layer of wax. Some drought-tolerant perennials include Italian asters (Aster amellus), and bearded irises and trailing bellflower (Campanula poscharskyana) can also be used in sunny, dry areas.
Browse images of Australian gardens to inspire your own outdoor space
Browse images of Australian gardens to inspire your own outdoor space
5. Mulching
Mulching protects the moisture in the ground and stops it from crusting over. It also limits the pressure from weeds, because seeds cannot germinate in the mulch layer.
There is a difference between organic or mineral mulch. Organic mulch includes wood chips or bark mulch, inorganic mulch material includes rocks or gravel.
Mulching protects the moisture in the ground and stops it from crusting over. It also limits the pressure from weeds, because seeds cannot germinate in the mulch layer.
There is a difference between organic or mineral mulch. Organic mulch includes wood chips or bark mulch, inorganic mulch material includes rocks or gravel.
6. Reducing lawn
Lawns are mostly avoided in xeriscaping. In desert-like areas of the south-western USA, lawn is simply impossible without additional irrigation. Likewise for dry parts of Australia, it is worth thinking about whether a lawn is really useful or a matter of habit.
In terms of xeriscaping, having no lawn at all is best – or keeping it only if it will serve a purpose, for example for sports, but not as a purely decorative element. Grass needs a lot of water to grow well. If it doesn’t rain, it will need additional irrigation to grow.
One alternative to a lawn is a meadow-inspired garden, which is only mowed once or twice a year. They offer more for the insect world and retain water better, like all vegetated areas. Perennial meadows with drought-loving flowers are also very popular in xeriscaping.
Lawns are mostly avoided in xeriscaping. In desert-like areas of the south-western USA, lawn is simply impossible without additional irrigation. Likewise for dry parts of Australia, it is worth thinking about whether a lawn is really useful or a matter of habit.
In terms of xeriscaping, having no lawn at all is best – or keeping it only if it will serve a purpose, for example for sports, but not as a purely decorative element. Grass needs a lot of water to grow well. If it doesn’t rain, it will need additional irrigation to grow.
One alternative to a lawn is a meadow-inspired garden, which is only mowed once or twice a year. They offer more for the insect world and retain water better, like all vegetated areas. Perennial meadows with drought-loving flowers are also very popular in xeriscaping.
If there must be a classic lawn, Sir Grange zoysia can be used for dry areas and Nullarbor couch also does well. These seed mixtures contain a higher percentage of fescue (Festuca arundinacea) than others, meaning they require significantly less water than other types of grass. On the other hand, fescue has a comparably coarse, wide leaf, but sends out deep roots so is more drought tolerant.
7. Care and maintenance
Every garden requires some care. Pruning, trimming or cleaning up, as well as possible replanting after winter, are part of xeriscaping care too. A garden that’s drought tolerant and correctly located can save you a lot of time and money on maintenance, since the landscaping works in concert with nature.
Your turn
Have you incorporated the principles of xeriscaping into your garden – intentionally or accidentally? Tell us what’s worked for you in the Comments below. And if you enjoyed this story, like it, save the images and join the conversation.
More
Need more outdoor inspiration? Check out 6 Beautiful and Bird-Friendly Garden Lighting Ideas
Every garden requires some care. Pruning, trimming or cleaning up, as well as possible replanting after winter, are part of xeriscaping care too. A garden that’s drought tolerant and correctly located can save you a lot of time and money on maintenance, since the landscaping works in concert with nature.
Your turn
Have you incorporated the principles of xeriscaping into your garden – intentionally or accidentally? Tell us what’s worked for you in the Comments below. And if you enjoyed this story, like it, save the images and join the conversation.
More
Need more outdoor inspiration? Check out 6 Beautiful and Bird-Friendly Garden Lighting Ideas
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I live in Queensland and I have a wonderful garden. I have long grasses lots of tall and medium sized trees and bushes, and they are all native to our area. We have lots of wildlife and also snakes. It saddens me to hear how many people are scared of snakes. Those creatures are more scared of us then we are of them and I think we should really learn to live with them.
We are about to move from a rather rainy area in Northern Germany to arid coastal Southern Spain, so this story comes at exactly the right time. I will replace the existing St. Augustine grass and the water-loving shrubs with the most drought-tolerant perennials, grasses and ground covers. Thankfully, our local nursery is a treasure trove of experience when it comes to xeriscaping.
I accidentally created a drought and frost tolerant garden. We bought our first home and I excitedly went to a commercial plant nursery and pretty much bought one of everything, I had no idea what I was doing. A month later we went overseas for 3 months in the middle of summer. When I came back half of the plants had died, and another portion died over winter. The following spring I replanted more of the plants that survived. Apart from a small amount of hand weeding in spring and summer, I don't do anything to the garden and we have a lovely, surprisingly lush looking garden with plants that are suited to our soil and climate. Mostly NZ natives but a few aussie natives too, and 2 standard yellow roses that flower profusely through the grasses.