What is Xeriscape?

Nationally, communities have been faced with increased demands on existing water supplies. Consequently, there is a greater focus on water conservation, not just in times of drought, but in anticipation of future population growth. Water can no longer be considered a limitless resource. A philosophy of conservation of water through creative landscaping has engendered the new term, xeriscape.

The term xeriscape is derived from the Greek word xeros meaning dry, combined with landscaping, thus xeriscaping. The term was coined by the Front Range Xeriscape Task Force of the Denver Water Department in 1981. The goal of a xeriscape is to create a visually attractive landscape that uses plants selected for their water efficiency. Properly maintained, a xeriscape can easily use less than one-half the water of a traditional landscape. Once established, a xeriscape should require less maintenance than turf landscape.

Check out six Xeriscape design templates, the Rainwater Harvest Plant List from the "How To Guide to Xeriscaping".

Get Your Free Xeriscape Templates

These templates can serve as blueprints to guide residential and business property owners in creating spectacular xeriscapes with color, logic, beauty and purpose.

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Why Xeriscape?

• Xeriscaping Saves Water
  Using native and other drought-tolerant plants can significantly reduce water use.
• Xeriscaping Saves Time
  De-emphasizing the use of bluegrass lawns and other thirsty plants is a common-sense approach that can reduce the time you spend watering, fertilizing and mowing.
• Xeriscaping Saves Money
  Reducing water use can lower your water bill. Xeriscaping can also reduce maintenance costs and increase the beauty and value of your property. The ABCWUA offers money-saving rebates.

Xeriscape vs. Zero-scape

Many people confuse xeriscaping with "zero-scaping." While both of these landscapes use less water than the traditional, turf-dominated approach, they are totally different in appearance and appeal.

Xeriscaping Saves Time

• Lush and beautiful
• Uses a wide variety of water-efficient plants to create an oasis-like feeling

Zero-scaping

• Hot and less interesting
• Uses lots of rocks and usually only juniper, cactus, or yucca

A Xeriscape can look as conventional and formal as you like. The look you choose can be highly individual. You might choose to create a distinctly western landscape with rock formations and indigenous plants. Or you could create a mountain meadow, complete with an ever-changing medley of wildflowers.

The Principles of Xeriscape

By applying xeriscape principles to your landscape, you will not only save water, but you will also enjoy the beauty and diversity of native and other water-wise (drought-tolerant) plants. Many delightful varieties of trees, shrubs, flowers, and grasses do very well in Albuquerque's climate. The following seven principles serve as a basic introduction to successful xeriscaping.

Planning and Design


A beautiful xeriscape starts with a good design. The physical characteristics of the site should be considered and so should your needs and your aesthetic preferences. For example, here are a few of the considerations:

• Sun: What portions of the property receive hot, afternoon sun? What portions receive morning sun and afternoon shade? The amount and time of sun will affect the types of plants you choose.
• Function: Do you need an outdoor living area? If so, consider expanding the patio area with additional shade structures and low-water-use trees to provide privacy.
• Views: Are there views you want to protect or screen? Know the mature size of the plants you select to ensure the views and screening you desire.
• Time: How much time do you plan to spend maintaining your landscape? If you would rather enjoy your yard than work on it, choose low-maintenance plants.

A well-planned design enables you to convert to water-wise landscaping quickly or to install your xeriscape in phases. Whether you create your own design or call upon a landscape design professional, a properly designed xeriscape can help meet your life-style needs.

Soil Improvements

To enable your soil to better absorb water, you may need to add soil amendments before you plant (visit our Soil Amendment Facility web pages, and order compost online). The water retention abilities of most Albuquerque soils are improved with the addition of organic matter. If you are landscaping with native plants, however, soil amendments may not be necessary. Some well-adapted xeric plants prefer not to have too rich a soil. For these plants, doing as little as loosening the soil is all the soil preparation you will need.

Limited Turf Areas

Kentucky bluegrass is not native to Albuquerque! While the Albuquerque average is less than 9 inches of rain per year, Kentucky bluegrass requires 40 inches or more to stay green and healthy. The difference in moisture must come from irrigation - lots of irrigation.

This is why it is important for Albuquerqueans to rethink lawns. Instead of using lawns to cover large areas, choose your lawn size and type to fit your family's needs. Drought-tolerant grasses such as buffalo grass and blue grama grass may be substituted for water-thirsty bluegrass in many situations. Consider reducing the size of your lawn and planting water-wise groundcovers and shrubs instead.

Limited Turf Areas

Whenever possible, choose native and low-water-use plants. Many varieties can grow in Albuquerque's climate. Some are perfect for adding year-round greenery and texture; others are great for adding seasonal color.

Xeriscaping uses the concept of zoning. By grouping plants with similar water needs together in specific zones, your landscape can use water more efficiently. Low-water-use plants should be grouped together, away from high-water-use plants and turf. Take advantage of warm or cool microclimates (the actual climatic conditions around your property which can be influenced by the placement of walls and shade trees) to create areas of interest and diversity.

Efficient Irrigation

A well-planned and well-maintained irrigation system can significantly reduce a traditional landscape's water use. For the most efficient use of water, irrigate turf areas separately from other plantings. Other irrigation zones should be designed so low-water-use plants receive only the water they require.

Proper irrigation choices can also save water. Turf lawns are best watered by sprinklers. Trees, shrubs, flowers, and groundcovers can be watered efficiently with low-volume drip emitters, sprayers, and bubblers. For additional information see the Irrigation Manual (616KB PDF) entitled Low Volume Irrigation; Design and Installation Guide.

Mulching

Mulches cover the soil and minimize evaporation, cool the soil, reduce weed growth and slow erosion. Mulches can also provide landscape interest and offer protective cover until plants mature. Organic mulches- including bark chips, wood grindings, and composted cotton burrs- are commonly used in planting beds. Inorganic mulches, such as gravel and decomposed granite, can be used to add texture and color under trees and around shrubs. Note: do not use plastic underneath rock or bark. It prevents the soil from breathing and encourages shallow plant roots.

Proper Maintenance

Although most successful xeriscapes are low maintenance, they are not no maintenance. Keeping your xeriscape beautiful and water thrifty through a program of well-timed mowing, fertilizing, pruning, pest control, and weeding will ensure that your landscape will develop beautifully.

To ensure continued water savings, keep irrigation systems properly adjusted. Properly maintained, a well-planned xeric landscape requires even less work as it matures - leaving more time to enjoy your yard.

This page was adapted from the New Mexico State Engineer Office Water Conservation Program publication entitled The Enchanted Xeriscape: A Guide to Water-wise Landscaping in New Mexico.

Free Xeric Design Templates

These free xeriscape designs were designed for the City by local landscape professionals Judith Phillips, George Radnovich and David Cristiani. These templates can serve as blueprints to guide residential and business property owners in creating spectacular xeriscapes with color, logic, beauty and purpose.

Kaleidoscapes (80KB PDF) - Judith Phillips creates vivid, striking plant arrangements with abundant textures and rotating, colorful perennials.

Greenscapes (69KB PDF) - David Cristiani combines contouring with groundcovers, grasses, vines, shrubs and trees for a lush, green xeriscape year-round.

Loungescapes (95KB PDF) - George Radnovich blends dramatic native and xeric plants for a spectacular lower-maintenance xeriscape.

Wildscapes (109KB PDF) - Judith Phillips balances copious blooming perennials with intensely aromatic plants to attract abundant local wildlife.

Hotscapes (91KB PDF) - David Cristiani fuses succulent textures and groupings that thrive in full sun and high heat for impressive visual impact.

Coolscapes (75KB PDF) - George Radnovich orchestrates an elegant, simple mixture of ornamental plants and features for north-facing xeriscapes.

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