If you want to boost the look of your property, but don’t have the time or resources to keep up with daily maintenance, you may want to consider xeriscaping as a landscaping option. Used mainly in dry climates such as California, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas, xeriscaping is a marvelous technique for Floridians, too, as it is known for its low-maintenance, resource-conserving qualities.
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The Art and Benefit of Xeriscaping in Florida
What is it?
“Xeriscaping” is a landscaping strategy designed to reduce water usage by using certain plants and various irrigation systems. The word itself is derived from the Greek “xeros” meaning dry, and “scape” as in a scene. “Together, xeriscaping is landscaping with slow-growing, drought-tolerant plants to conserve water and establish a waste-efficient landscape,” says the University of Florida (UF).
Elements
There are a few different design elements that are required in the construction of a xeriscape:
- Zoning
- Drought-tolerant plants
- Drought-tolerant turf
- Mulch
Zoning
The placement or “zoning” of drought-tolerant plants should be carefully considered and dealt with according to how much water the plants need. “For example, water-loving plants should be grouped separately from drought-tolerant plants,” says UF. “This allows for the proper amount of water to be distributed to the plants as they need it.”
Plants and Turf
Using plants that require significantly less water is essential to creating your xeriscape. These plants have not only adapted to drought conditions, but also soils with low water-holding capacities.
In the same line of thought, drought-tolerant turf takes the scene one step further. These turfs will go dormant during dry periods, and turn green again when the rain comes. Here’s a list of turfs well-suited for a Florida climate:
- Centipede grass
- Bahiagrass
- Bermudagrass
- Zoysiagrass
Mulch
Mulch can fulfill multiple purposes in a xeriscape. Oftentimes, mulch is used to replace areas that require lots of water because of its evaporation-reducing qualities. Additionally, mulch is a great tool in preparing paths and walkways within the landscape.
Benefits
Selecting plants that align with a xeriscaping scene, along with the right irrigation systems, can save a gardener or landscaper valuable time, resources, and money. When you start your xersicape, you’ll find that you need a significantly reduced amount of water. Using less water, inevitably, lessens the need for maintenance. Additionally, you’ll find that your monthly water bill will go down.
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