“Xeriscaping” comes from the Greek root “xeros”, which means “dry”. And since we live in an area that is classified as an alpine desert, many local residents are switching to xeriscaping to reduce water usage.
Some feel that xeriscaping means replacing your lawn with gravel, but in fact, by using plants native to arid regions – and these can be quite beautiful – you can have a lot of color in your xeriscape.
Xeriscaping can be spectacular
Plants such as the Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) are native to the American Southwest. Cacti and agave plants native to this area and Mexico, as well as mesembs and succulents native to Africa, can add bright splashes to your gardens while requiring little watering. Drought tolerant perennials can gladden the heart and please the eye, while reducing watering needs.
Xeriscaping means watering efficiency
There are seven principles of xeriscaping, all intended to reduce water consumption: Planning and Design, Soil Analysis and Improvement, Plant Selection, Use of Turf, Efficient Irrigation (such as drip irrigation to eliminate runoff, or flow sensors to adjust sprinkling systems), Use of Mulches, and Maintenance. By incorporating these water-wise principles into our designs, Green Door can ease your water costs while making your home beautiful and ecofriendly.