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Xeriscape gardening has often been associated with Arizona like
yards that have some cactus, large grave areas, and little or no visual appeal.
Nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, such barren yards would not
fit the definition of Xeriscaping. Xeric gardens can, and should, be lush and
colorful, creating seasonal interest all year long. There are hundreds of
plants from all catagories that qualify as xeric, or low water use plants. The
key in the design stage is to combine the different plants to create seasonal
color and textures to keep the garden always interesting and inviting. Scale,
balance, rhythm and focus are also important design elements. Let's start by
looking at the "Seven Principles of Xeriscaping" and then discuss each one as
it relates to the benefits of having a xeric garden. It's interesting to note
that the term "Xeriscaping" was developed by the Denver Water Board in the
1980's when Denver was experienceing another of its regular droughts. It is now
used universally and can be found in the dictionary.
 The seven principles
are:
1. Planning and design
2. Improve the soil
3. Irrigate
efficiently
4. Proper plant zoning
5. Mulch in beds
6. Proper use of
turf
7. Appropriate maintenance
Now let's see what it all
means.
1.
PLANNING AND DESIGNING
All landscapes should begin with this process. Proper planning and
design work is invaluable to any building process. You must know what you want
the end result to be, and in order to know that, you must know where to start.
This is when the decisions are made of whether you want berms to create a
rolling effect or a flat or sloped area. Do you want boulders or other types of
accents? Then texture and color come into play. These components are the most
important for the overall final look of the garden. Using color combinations
and contrasts based on seasonal flowering is a good starting point. Then,
consider the texture combination. Again, are they similar or contrasting? Are
they rough or smooth, tall or short? What time of year will they be most
apparent in the landscape? What will the rest of the garden look and feel like?
Answering these types of questions will start you on your way to a beautiful
and inviting garden. You also need to decide on the use of the different areas.
Will they be for entertaining, eating, playing or perhaps just viewing? Should
they be hardscaping such as decks or patios or should they be viewing gardens
to meander through and be able to sit and relax? These components will help you
arrive at a space the will be very individually your own! Colorado Deck,
Landscape & Remodeling Co., Inc. can help make that process fun and the end
result stunning.
2. IMPROVING THE SOIL
Why do we talk of improving the
soil? Consider that the soil not only allows a medium for the plants to adhere
to, it is truly the life blood of all plants. The soil is where plants gain
water and nutrients. Most soils i the front range are either of a heavy clay
sort or are a sandy soil type, both of which are far from the most desirable
types.
In most cases, the ideal soil is a
combination of sand, silt and clay. With too much clay, water has a hard time
penetrating the soil, and because the particle size of clay is so small the
water has difficult time releasing from the particles and going into the plant
roots. Sand on the other hand has comparatively large particle size and water
does not adhere as much to the particles, allowing the water to pass through
the root sone before plants have the ability to absorb it.
By
improving the soil we typically mean adding organic matter to the existing soil
to improve the soil structure. Simply put, by adding organics to clay it
actually loosens the structure, allowing water to penetrate and also allowing
the water to be release to the plant roots. Conversely, adding organics to a
sandy soil creates a denser soil structure allowing the water to be held in the
soil and made available to the roots. Usually adding 3 - 4 cubic yards of
organic matter per 1,000 sq.ft. to most soil types will be sufficient to aid
the soil structure. This material should be rototilled into the top 5-6"of the
existing soil. It should be noted that some very xeric plants don not
necessarily benefit from soil improvement, exiisting in the poorest soil.
However, amended soils will benefit most plants used in a xeric
garden.
3.
IRRIGATE EFFICIENTLY
Presuming you are using an automatic irrigation system, watering a
well planned xeric garden can be extremely efficient. For lawn areas use low
pressure, low angled sprinklers or a subsurface system that simply soaks the
root sone of the grass. For bed areas of plant material use a drip or bubbler
system that delivers water on the ground at a the desired area of the root
sone. A review of the system should be made to be sure it is operating as
efficiently as possible.
An irrigation audit might
be appropriate for an existing or upgraded system. An audit reviews all aspects
of the system and the landscape it is irrigation and makes adjustments for the
most efficient application of water. Colorado Deck, Landscape & Remodeling
Co., Inc. has Certified Landscape Irrigation Auditors on staff to assist you in
this area.
4.
PROPER PLANT ZONING
By grouping plants together that have similar water needs you can
minimize water waste. Also consider the different micro-climates on site that
are created by shading by buildings or trees, hatter areas on the south and
weest side of buildings, slopes, etc. This also ties into proper irrigation
design.
5. MULCH
IN BEDS
Mulch
used in beds can be a myriad of different materials. Organic mulches such as
wood chips, bark peeling and bark mulch are common and very desirable.
Inorganic mulches such as gravels and cobbles are also viable. Organic mulches
should be applied 3-4" deep. As the mulch naturally decomposes it adds organic
matter to the soil. While the mulch may need to be replenished over time, plant
growth over the bed area will reduce that need. Inorganic mulches should be
applied over a landscape fabric that allow air and water to pass through while
limiting weed growth. Do not use plastic sheeting as it prevents water and air
from passing through. 2" is usually an adequate depth for gravel
mulches.
Mulches aid by reducing weed growth,
reducing water evaporation from the soil and helping to maintain more constant
soil temperatures. Mulches also give a finished look and can be useful for
material, color and texture contrasts in the design process.
6. PROPER USE OF
TURF
Turf is an
important part of a properly designed xeric landscape. That does not mean that
every landscape should have turf, but it does mean that if and when turf is
used appropriately, it is an essential element of the xeric landscape. While
Bluegrass lawns consume a higher amount of water that xeric plants, bluegrass
is much hardier that most people give it credit. The key to watering bluegrass
is to give it just what it needs - most homeowners apply way to much water.
Keep reducing the amount you apply until some stress is apparent and the
increase the water application lightly to keep the lawn healthy. Typical stress
signs are a slight bluing of the lawn as well as foot prints that are apparent
because the grass blades do not stand up right away. Other suggested means of
reducing turf are to install hardscapes such as decks or patios, dry streambeds
or walkways, or increasing bed areas that consume less water. Just be sure you
have enough turf to meet your needs and desires.
Alternative grass species are also available, such as Buffalo
Grass, Blue Grama and fescues. Be aware of the type of lawn you want before
changing to alternate grasses. Each has its strengths and weaknesses. Speak
with a green industry professional to be sure you are making a good and
desirable decision. There are also more drought resistant bluegrass varieties
available from some growers and these should also be
considered.
7.
APPROPRIATE MAINTENANCE
Regular maintenance of the xeric landscape will provide continual
enjoyment for years to come. For lawn areas this should include aeration and
regular fertilization. For your trees, shrubs and perennials, it should mean
regular fertilization and pest control as well as seasonal, as-needed pruning.
Weeding will need to be addressed on a regular basis but can be minimized by
the proper use of mulch and pre-emergent weed control. A well taken care of
xeriscape should be a thing of beauty to behold and a timeless source of
enjoyment.
There
are a number of sources of additional information on xeric landscapes. Please
call us a Colorado Deck, Landscape & Remodeling Co., Inc. for more
information or click on our Links page and go to these additional web sites for
more detailed information. |
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