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Why Is Native Landscaping Important to You and to the Semiarid West?
 Are you interested in creating an
attractive environmentally friendly landscape while reducing your water and
maintenance requirements? Do you want a beautiful yard, garden, school, park, or
parking area? Try a Xeriscape™ with native plants!
Whether you’re a newcomer to the northern Great Plains and Rocky Mountains or
you just want fresh, new landscaping ideas, this booklet will help you select
and grow native plants that are naturally adapted and will thrive for years
under our extreme environmental conditions. The goal of this booklet is to
provide an overview of native landscaping principles and practices. It
integrates the principles of several conservation initiatives such as reduced
water, energy, and chemical usage; wildlife habitat enhancement; and invasive
weed management. Native plant, in the context of this booklet, means native to
the United States.
In many parts of the West, where rainfall is scarce, landscaping
accounts for half of all residential water consumption. Outdoor landscaping
offers the single biggest opportunity for water savings to a typical American
family. That's because most people pour a lot more water on their greenery than
it really needs. In fact, it is estimated that 85 percent of all landscape
problems are caused by over watering. (A Consumers Guide to Water
Conservation©, 1993 American Water Works Association).
Comparisons of traditional landscapes and Xeriscapes have shown that up to 50
percent savings can be achieved in water usage alone. Other studies indicate
potential savings of nearly 30 percent in maintenance and labor, 61 percent in
fertilizers, 44 percent in fuel and 22 percent in herbicides and pesticides (At
Home with Xeriscape ©, Xeriscape Colorado, Inc).
What Is Xeriscape?
Xeriscape (pronounced zeer-i-scape) is derived from the Greek word, xeros,
meaning "dry." It’s the wise use of water through water-efficient landscaping.
The word Xeriscape conjures up visions of a dry, desert-like landscape when, in
fact, its focus is how to landscape appropriately in areas with seasonal water
supply shortages. Denver Water holds the trademark on the term and has developed
7 Xeriscape Principles.
Seven Principles of Xeriscape
- Plan and Design Comprehensively
- Improve Soil with Amendments
- Reduce Lawn Areas
- Use Appropriate Plants and Group According to Water/Environmental Needs
- Irrigate Efficiently
- Use Mulches
- Maintain Your Landscape
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Yucca: this evergreen plant brings a bold, dramatic touch to a dry
landscape. American Indians used the leaves to make baskets and the roots to
produce soap. |
Narrow grass strips too often result in watering pavement as well as grass.
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A water-efficient, low maintenance alternative treatment features juniper
and western mountain ash. |
Xeriscape and Native Plant Benefits
Economic
- Lower Water and Maintenance Costs
- Enhanced Real Estate Values
- Increased Survivability of Plantings
- Edible and/or Decorative Products
- Environmental
Improved Water and Soil Conservation
- Reduced Use of Petroleum Products
- Improved Air Quality/Carbon Sequestration
- Enhanced Urban Wildlife Habitat
- Reduced Water Contamination
Aesthetic
- Increased Year-Round Visual Interest
- Increased Urban Wildlife Viewing
- Encouraged Link with Nature
- Enhanced Quality of Life
This information is also available for downloading as
Chapter 1 of the publication, Creating Native Landscapes in the Northern
Great Plains and Rocky Mountains. This document requires
Adobe Acrobat.
Why Is
Native Landscaping Important to You and the Semiarid West? (PDF; 1.9 MB)
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the Northern Great Plains and Rocky Mountains
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