Xeriscape Landscaping

What is Xeriscape Landscaping?

Xeriscape landscaping, or “xeriscaping” is landscaping that has been designed specifically for areas that are conserving water or are susceptible to droughts. The name is derived from the Greek word xeros, meaning “dry,” therefore the term means literally “dry landscape.”

A Xeriscape landscape needs minimal amounts of water to thrive, making it popular in hot and arid climates. However, xeriscaping has evolved, becoming useful in many types of climates that need to protect their water sources. Sloping gardens are also good locations for xeriscaping, as the water drains rapidly downhill, making the soil ideal for plants that like dryer conditions.

Planting an Xeriscape Garden:

Firstly, discover your gardens soil type and enhance this using mulch to lock in moisture. However, remember that nutrient-rich soil, isn’t ideal for xeriscape planting as many drought-tolerant plants thrive in the dry, stony soil.

When it comes to selecting the best plants for xeriscaping, choose varieties that are naturally drought tolerant. Succulents are an excellent choice due to their ability to store water and thrive in drought conditions. Whereas ornamental grasses add texture and visual interest. Ground cover plants such as creeping thyme can also help conserve moisture and suppress weed growth. Shrubs such as lavender and sage provide structure and color to the xeriscape.

When choosing plants, consider the how much sun exposure your garden gets. Some plants prefer full sun, while others prefer partial shade.

Our Xeriscape Landscaping Recommendations:

There are many flowers and drought-tolerant ground covers suitable for a xeriscape garden, including the following:

    • AlyssumAlyssum

    • Angelina sedum

    • Artemisia

    • Asclepias (butterfly weed)

    • Beebalm

    • coneflowers

      California poppy

    • Campanula carpatica (bellflower)

    • Coreopsis

    • Cosmos

    • Cranesbill geranium

    • Daylily

    • Hosta

      Echinacea coneflower

    • Euphorbia

    • Solidago – Goldenrod

    • Heliopsis

    • Hosta

    • lambs ear

      Iris

    • Kniphofia (red hot poker)

    • Lamb’s ears

    • Lavender

    • Lewisia

    • Liatris

    • Penstemon

    • Perovskia (Russian sage)black eyed susan

    • Portulaca

    • Rudbeckia (black-eyed Susan)

    • Salvia Nemerosa

    • Sedum

    • Tradescantia (spiderwort)

    • Veronica

    • Zinnia

Drought-tolerant shrubs help to fill out a xeriscape garden:

  • Amelanchier (shadbush)shad bush - xeriscape landscaping

  • Aronia (chokeberry)

  • Caryopteris (blue mist shrub)

  • Cotoneaster

  • Cytisus (Scotch broom)

  • Hypericum (St. Johnswort)

  • Juniper

  • Potentilla

  • Viburnum

Drought Tolerant Grasses:

  • Feather reed grass (Calamagrostis acutiflora)

  • Fescue

  • Fountain grass (Pennisetum)

  • Switch grass (Panicum)

  • Zebra grass

Contacts Us for Xeriscape Landscaping:

Blue Iris Landscapes offer planting plans and in order to assist you with all of your planting needs. As well as offering a landscape design service that could show you exactly what your Xeriscape landscaping would look like. Contact us today for more information.

Blue Iris Landscapes have over 25 years of landscaping and horticultural experience. Enabling us to offer the best advice when gardening and planting your garden. You can email us at info@blueirislandscapes.co.uk or call our office on 01782396168.

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