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A xeri scape (pronounced “z-ri-scape”) is a landscape that has been developed to maximize water conservation. “Xeriscape” is a compound of the Greek word xeros (“dry”) and scape to express the idea of developing a landform that is manageable in a drought-prone area or a dry landscape. Xeriscaping is a creative form of landscaping that uses plants that can derive the maximum benefit possible from the available water.
A xeriscape is not limited to desert plants or to desert or semi-arid regions. Xeriscaping can be used in urban areas; an unusual dry spell will then not kill the plants because they are immune to small droughts, nor will they require watering. The term xeriscape was originally coined by Denver Water, a municipal utility that continues to hold the trademark, but it has since become a generically used term for all forms of sustainable, water-conserving landscaping.
In 1977, a severe drought in the western United States made water usage a public and financial issue. Homeowners, landscapers, and others realized that turf grass lawns and other water-intensive plantings were expensive and impractical. However, sand, gravel, and plastic yard coverings were not the answer—xeriscaping was.
Development of a xeriscape takes planning, as does the development of any landscape. But, with a xeriscape the plan seeks to maximize the use of water, including finding ways to retain water and curb runoff. In addition, because water loss due to evaporation is usually greatest in areas with a southern or western exposure, plants used in these areas should be those that need lesser amounts of water and that can withstand higher temperatures. These areas may be appropriate for a drought resistant ground cover, which, if the slope of the area is steep, will retain more moisture and moderate ground temperatures. Another important change in implementing a xeriscape is to replace turf grasses with drought-resistant grasses. Some areas can also be planted with drought-resistant wildflowers.
Success in creating a xeriscape is influenced by good soil preparation. Sandy or heavy clay soils will not retain water as well as a more balanced soil. Modification of the soil so that there are increased pore spaces can be accomplished with mixtures of organic materials, silt, sand, and clays. Since plant roots usually need oxidation, increasing pore spaces will aid plants to grow and withstand drought.
Landscaping with desert plants is one way to create a xeriscape. Cacti are an obvious choice, but to cacti can be added a great number of xerophytes, or plants from arid regions. Xerophytes are a class of plants that have adapted to desert environments by some mechanism to prevent water loss or to store water in their leaves. Many Mediterranean plants are xerophytic adaptations that survive summer dryness. Some, like the live oak, have hard, thick, leathery leaves while others have waxy leaf coatings that do not release water easily. Others are succulents, which store water in their leaves.
Some xerophytes can be found in salt marshes, saline soils, or in acid bogs where they have adapted to chemically hostile wet environments. Other xerophytes have evolved at beaches, in sand dunes, and on bare rock surfaces, even in wet regions where local conditions leave some spots dry.
Another way to practice xeriscaping is to reuse water. In California, some cities such as Santa Monica are reusing both treated sewage water and storm runoff. Water from urban runoff is not potable, but it can be used to water plants. A xeriscape can use water that is not potable at a reduced cost compared to using treated water. Besides being a sound horticultural practice, xeriscaping is often cheaper and more environmentally responsible.
Bibliography:
- Connie Lockhart Ellefson, Xeriscape Colorado: The Complete Guide (Westcliffe Publishers, 2004);
- Rob Proctor, Xeriscape Plant Guide: 100 WaterWise Plants for Gardens and Landscapes (Fulcrum Publishing, 1999);
- Gayle Weinstein, Xeriscape Handbook: A How-to-Guide to Natural, Resource-Wise Gardening (Fulcrum Publishing, 1999).
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