What is desert landscaping?
Desert landscaping utilizes drought tolerant plants that can withstand strong sunlight. Also referred to as xeriscaping, the landscape design combines native plants, gravel and rocks with little or no turf to lessen or eliminate the need for irrigation.
Drought conditions and watering restrictions in areas of the southwestern United States make this type of landscaping appealing and is occasionally a mandatory requirement for new construction. Besides conserving water, desert landscaping is a low maintenance form of landscaping, making gardening in the heat less of a burden. You will also save money on water bills if your water is metered.
Plants which will best flourish in a desert climate include succulents, cacti and and ornamental grasses, all of which provide splashes of color in a yard during varying times of the year. A variety of trees and shrubs also will tolerate a desert environment. Plants and trees that are native to the region will thrive in your yard and can be found at your local gardening center.
Succulents
- Agave – varieties include: octopus; Parry’s; smooth; twin flowered, and Weber’s.
- Autumn Joy
- Aloe – varieties include: cape; Dawe’s; Medicinal, and Partridge Breast
- Desert milkweed
- Yellow Bulbine
Ornamental Grasses
- Blue Grama
- Blue Oat Grass
- Deer Grass
- Mexican Feather Grass
- Mexican Thread Grass
- Pink Muhly
Cacti
- Cholla
- Compass Barrel
- Golden Barrel
- Saguaro
- Senita
- Totem Pole
Desert Trees
- Acacia – varieties include: Blackbrush; Leather-Leaf; Sweet; White Thorn, and Willow
- Afghan Pine
- Alligator and California Juniper
- Joshua Tree
- Palo Verde
- Texas Ebony
- Velvet Mesquite
Shrubs
- Barberry
- Bee Brush
- Flame Honeysuckle
- Fourwing Saltbush
- Red Bird of Paradise
- Superstition Mallow
- Texas Olive
- Yellow Bird of Paradise
Desert landscaping is a type of landscape design that incorporates plants commonly associated with a desert environment into an overall plan. This desert garden may be by choice or by lack of other options. Desert landscaping is popular in places where arid weather stunts or kills other types of plants. However, it can also be utilized in other places, even when the weather is more suitable to the sustainable growth of other plant species.
