While flowering trees are what you want, drought tolerant trees are what you need. Fortunately, there are a number of drought resistant flowering trees that will adorn your garden while requiring minimal water. These types of plants can form the bones of a water wise landscape.

Remember that the fact that a tree is easy on water doesn’t necessarily mean it will thrive in your yard. Growing flowering trees successfully requires that you select appropriate trees for your site, trees that thrive in the growing conditions you offer and won’t exceed the size of the site.

Ready to select your flowering drought tolerant trees? Here’s a short list of our favorites.

Best Drought Tolerant Flowering Trees

1. Texas redbud (Cercis canadensis var. texensis)

This little deciduous tree is among the earliest to bloom in the springtime, lighting up the bare branches with showy magenta flowers. The impressive display happens every year during March and April. But the show isn’t over once the flowers fade. This redbud also offers dark green summer foliage that blazes gold in autumn. As winter rolls in, the tree still has interest with its purple seed pods. It is the most drought tolerant of the redbuds.

2. Japanese crepe myrtle (Lagerstroemia fauriei)

This broadleaf evergreen, native to Japan, offers joy in every season. It grows to 30 feet (9 m) tall with arching branches, extremely showy flowers in late summer, and lovely red-brown peeling bark in winter. Then there are the fruits, green when young, then maturing to a dark brown. Hardy to USDA zone 6, this crepe myrtle only offers white flowers, but it is a low-maintence tree that needs minimal water once the root system is developed.

3. Cornelian cherry (Cornus mas)

This small tree is valued for its early spring blooms, a cloud of bright yellow flowers that appear before the leaves arrive. Cornelian cherry usually doesn’t grow past 25 feet (7.5 m) tall, with a slightly smaller spread. When the tree is mature, the exfoliating bark is another ornamental feature. After that, the leaves emerge in dense, showy, rounded clusters, each surrounded at the base by small, yellowish, petaloid bracts. Note that these are not as showy as other dogwood species. The fruits, fleshy, one-seeded berries mature to cherry red in mid-summer.

4. Green hawthorn (Crataegus viridis)

Native to the US, green hawthorns are beautiful drought resistant flowering trees that grow to 35 feet (10.5 m) tall. Unlike some hawthorns, these are generally thornless and thrive in USDA zone 4-8. The flowers appear in clusters in May and have a strong fragrance that not everyone appreciates. These are followed by small red berry-like fruits that ripen in September. You can use them to make jams, and the birds enjoy them all winter long. The tree is extremely drought resistant and requires little water.

5. Japanese pagoda tree (Styphnolobium japonicum)

This handsome shade tree brings summer magic as its branches fill with creamy white flowers. It’s a big tree, to 75 feet (23 m) tall, with tremendous ornamental value, and it thrives in USDA zones 4 through 8. Although newly planted pagoda trees require irrigation, no supplemental water is needed after the first year, so go ahead and practice water-wise gardening while enjoying your drought resistant, flowering trees.

Natural precipitation rates vary around the world, but no matter how much rain a region gets annually, we all share the responsibility to use it wisely. Water-wise gardening - sometimes called xeriscaping - uses innovative conservation techniques and sound gardening practices to create a beautiful landscape while conserving water. For water wise landscaping ideas, read on.

Growing A Water Wise Garden

If your notion of xeriscaping involves sparse desert backyards with a few large cacti as focal points, you need to get a larger idea of what water wise gardening looks like. Think brilliant color, a wide variety of plants and even a lush lawn. Properly planned, a water-wise landscape is as attractive as a garden can be.

While plant selection is an important part of building a water wise landscape, you aren’t limited to succulents. This type of garden design can include hundreds of plant options, including trees, shrubs, flowering bushes and even grasses. The factors that go into water wise landscaping include garden design, soil preparation, plant choice, mulch, and a great irrigation method.

Water Wise Garden Design

Don’t start your garden design by rushing to the garden store. Instead, sit down with pen and paper to do some careful planning, considering your landscape needs and attributes. It may help to make a sketch of the area, noting high use areas and plants already in place, as well as structures, grassy areas, walkways and driveways.

Consider your natural water levels and the time you wish to invest in maintenance. Make a list of features that would make you happy, like a vegetable garden, a fountain, ponds, a home orchard, or a lawn. From there, you - or a landscape professional - can develop a design that meets your needs and pleases your senses.

Soil Preparation

What kind of soil does your landscape currently have? It’s likely to be made of sand, loam, clay, or a mix of these. Understanding your current soil and how to amend it is important for a successful water-wise garden. Healthy soil offers plants a nutrient-rich place to drop their roots, holding water but also permitting air in and water out. As a general rule of thumb, plan to amend the native soil by adding organic compost or well aged manure.

Plant Selection

Choosing the plants might be the most exciting part of creating a water wise garden. Keep a few principals in mind. Select plants based on their shape, color, and mature size. Erosion control, wildlife appeal and/or privacy considerations may be important issues in your selections. Just be sure that the species you select are adapted to the soil, water, temperature, light, and pest conditions of the region. Also keep an eye on the maintenance they require and their water needs.

Do you have to pick native plants? Native plants can be low- or no-maintenance additions to your landscape since they are adapted to the existing conditions. But you are not limited to native plants. There are other parts of the world with the same climate as yours, so feel free to pick water-wise garden selections from other countries if you like.

Think about grouping plants in hydrozones, that is, with other plants that require the same amount of water. That makes for more efficient irrigation.

Mulching for Water Wise Landscaping

Organic mulch can help soil to retain water, meaning you’ll have to irrigate less. This layer of compost, aged manure or dried leaves control weeds that can compete with cultivated for water.

Why choose organic? Organic mulches decompose into the soil, improving its structure. Inorganic mulches do not provide this benefit.

Irrigation for Water Wise Gardening

Some gardeners water by hand, but in general, automatic irrigation is more water wise, and it can save you time too if it is well designed, installed, and maintained. Ideally, your system will give plants the water they need, not more more less. You want this released slowly so that the water penetrates the soil and gets to the root area. If you are designing a new face for your landscape, include an automatic irrigation system in the mix.

Those who opt not to do this can water manually or with a sprinkler that fits your yard. Avoid those that toss water high into the air since you will lose some to evaporation and wind. Opt for those that release water closer to the ground and the plants’ root system.

All plant life has evolved with specialized adaptations to help them survive in their environment. Plants need light and water to grow. The latter need is a difficult one to acquire in desert conditions. So how do plants in the desert survive? By numerous adaptations of desert plants which are key to their growth and reproduction. Nature is amazing in the ways it solves complex problems through evolution.

Deserts are known for their harsh conditions. Very arid soil and air, blistering heat during the day and often freezing nights, poor soil nutrients, and other extreme circumstances. This makes for a challenging environment in which plants can grow. Plant adaptations in the desert are necessary for them to gather and store moisture and prevent excess transpiration. They also need protection from extreme sunlight, which could burn their tissues. Desert plant adaptations are some of the most amazing in the Earth's flora. 

How Have Plants Adapted to Survive in the Desert? 

Plant adaptations are a response in a species over time to excel in their indigenous environment. It also happens in mammals and aquatic species, but in desert plants, these modifications help the group endure extreme conditions. A true desert is where the amount of water coming in through precipitation is less than that lost in evaporation. These are not favorable conditions to satisfy most plant life. Yet the astounding adaptations of desert plants turns the table on this less than optimal situation. One crucial modification is how they photosynthesize. They harvest daytime sunshine but wait until nightfall to open their stoma to take in carbon dioxide. This completes the photosynthesis cycle, but also reduces moisture loss. 

How Do Plants in the Desert Survive Without Water? 

Many desert plants have developed secret weapons to help them thrive. Exterior features are crucial to prevent moisture from evaporating. Spines on cactus are used to shade the plant and prevent it from getting eaten. A waxy coating on many succulents prevents excess moisture from evaporating. Many desert dwelling plants also produce either no leaves or small foliage. This is a good strategy for avoiding moisture loss but bad for photosynthesis, which is why many succulents are slow growing. Plants with glossy leaves reflect sunlight away, reducing the surface temperature of the plant. 

Other Plant Adaptations in the Desert

The way arid zone plants acquire and store scarce moisture is a clue to how they survive. Many develop huge taproots that plunge deep into soil where a bit of moisture might yet lurk. Others have specialized water storage structures or organs. The thickened trunks which contain water. These caudexes are essential to the plant surviving drought. Other plants have swollen leaves and stems which store water.

Some plants have leaves which grow upward, funneling any dew down to the roots for use. Still others have a repellent response which keeps competitive species from growing nearby. This leaves more water for the repellent plant's use. Desert plants are amazing in their adaptations and strategies, something we could learn from in our efforts to conserve water.

The low desert is an area in Southern California's Sonoran desert with an elevation of under 2,000 feet (610 m.). The soil is generally alkaline and contains few nutrients, which are challenging conditions for raising plants. Low desert plants that are native to the region will thrive, but introduced specimens need special care. Low desert gardening often requires soil amendment to introduce adequate pH and nutrients.

The arid conditions of a desert pose a problem for the water needs of plants. Using drought tolerant specimens is an excellent way to approach low desert gardening. Gardeners who want a bloom-filled landscape should look to a flower planting guide for the low desert. These are available from local Extension offices and native nurseries. A low desert planting calendar will also advise on when the correct times for planting items like vegetables and bare root plants are. 

Tips on Gardening in the Low Desert

Working in a heavy layer of compost will increase the soil's tilth, add nutrients, and help conserve water. Compost may also be used as a side dressing in plants like vegetables. Most plants prefer an average soil pH of 6.0-7.0. To achieve this in heavy clay or rocky soil, add sulfur to lower the pH and make the dirt more hospitable for plants to uptake nutrients and water. It is important to learn plant water needs. Some will need deep watering, while others may be adapted to periods of drought. Wild, native plants are often the best choice if trying to reduce water and conserve moisture. 

Low Desert Planting Calendar

Timing of planting can help encourage germination and growth. Some plants grow best from direct sowing, while others require an early indoor start. Plants such as spinach, kale, fennel, carrots, beets, and basil may be started from seed in January. Those that perform best early from transplants are globe artichoke, mint, and thyme. 

Most varieties of vegetable may be started from seed in early September. Here are some common vegetable seed planting times in low desert gardens:

• Corn- March through April, June through August
• Lettuce- January through February, October through December
• Summer Squash- March through July
• Carrot- January through February, September through December
• Cucumber- March through April, July to August
• Melon- March to August
• Radish- January through February, October to December
• Pepper- January through July
• Peas- January through February, September through December
• Turnip- January through February, September through December
• Tomato- January through February, June to July

Flower Planting Guide for the Low Desert

There are two growing seasons in the low desert. Cool season annual plants may be planted in late summer or early fall. Warm season plants are best planted just after the last frost, when the soil is workable and warming. Select perennials carefully, as many are considered annuals in this region where they do not receive adequate winter chill for dormancy and heat levels may be to too high in summer for them to survive. Flowering plants that are good perennials for low desert gardens are:

• Bee balm
• Carnation
• Desert milkweed
• Dusty miller
• Evening primrose
• Gazania
• Geranium
• Globe Mallow
• Jupiter's Beard
• Penstemon
• Wild Hyssop
• Yarrow

Xeriscape gardens took the spotlight a few years back, and their popularity has grown year after year. They are gardens that focus on drought-resistant plants and use special techniques to conserve water. Since much of the United States and some other nations remain in drought conditions, xeriscape bushes are still very desirable additions to the garden.

Drought Tolerant Bushes

With climate change concerns, unpredictable droughts and high energy prices across the country, most gardeners are struggling to conserve water usage in the landscape. One of the best ways to do this is to select drought-tolerant plants.

Drought-tolerant plants need water to survive, just like all plants. But they have adapted to low-water conditions by developing features that minimize their water use. For example, some have developed smaller leaves or needles that require less water, or even reduce leaf area with large spaces between leaf lobes. 

A few drought-tolerant bushes to consider include the bottlebrush buckeye, a deciduous shrub with a mounded, multi-stemmed habit that produces white flowers in sun or shade. Bush cinquefoil is a versatile bush that tolerates heat, drought and various soil types, offering showy yellow, white or orange flowers from early summer through frost.

Native Bushes

Native bushes are those that grow in the wild, without the need for human maintenance. Since these plants are on their own, they usually have developed adaptations for periods when rainfall is low. That makes most native bushes low maintenance, drought-tolerant shrubs.

One adaptation seen on native bushes is leaf coverings that contain a heavy accumulation of wax that conserves the plant’s moisture. White fir is one plant that has developed this type of drought-tolerant leaf. Fine hairs on the leaves of plants like silver sage serve the same purpose by holding and trapping moisture at the leaf surface. 

Still other native plants prepare themselves to survive drought by extending their roots. Drought-tolerant false blue indigo, for example, has deep roots that can intake moisture from far below the soil surface. That allows them to use today the moisture that fell days or weeks before.

Native Shrubs for Dry Shade

It just makes sense to use native shrubs when you need to plant in dry shade. You can find more than a few native bushes that are drought-tolerant and grow well in shade. The beauty of native shrubs is that they require very little effort once established.

What are some of the top choices? You should consider California spice bush, which thrives with little moisture in partial shade and produces maroon-red blossoms and rich green foliage. Another one to look at is bush anemone, offering camellia-look-alike blossoms and evergreen, glossy leaves. It does well in partial shade in hot climates with moderate water. Bush or sticky monkey flower also thrives in partial shade with little water and produces bright, tubular flowers.

During difficult growing seasons, even experienced gardeners may have trouble meeting the needs of their plants. Most commonly, these issues relate directly to intense sunlight, hot temperatures, and/or prolonged periods of drought. 

When Water is Scarce

Though irrigation is an option in some places, the problem becomes much more serious in regions where strict water usage restrictions are enforced. Fortunately, all is not lost for those who frequently experience these less than ideal growing conditions. Specifically selecting plants which are able to tolerate scorching sun and dry soil can transform the appearance of the landscape. Learning more about full sun/dry soil plants will allow growers to craft spaces that are low maintenance, beautiful, and able to thrive during the stress of summer.

Finding plants for full sun and dry soil can be difficult. Many of the most popular flowers and shrubs available are those which need frequent and consistent irrigation, especially during the hottest portions of the growing season. Those living in drought prone regions may need to avoid these plants if their specific conditions for growth can’t be met. 

Gardeners can greatly benefit from researching the use of water-wise native annuals and perennials during the planning stages of their growing space. When searching for the best plants for dry soil/full sun conditions, visiting a local garden center or specialty plant nursery can be helpful. Trusted sources who are familiar with the growth requirements of specific regions can serve as a valuable asset. 

Best Plants for Dry Soil/Full Sun Conditions

Many of the plants that grow in full sun/dry soil conditions are native to arid regions. Among the most popular plants for consideration are various types of succulents. These unique specimens, which are able to store water, are excellent landscape choices if you’re wishing to add interesting shape and texture to flower beds. The plants can also vary greatly in size and appearance. Agave, sedum, and cacti are all relatively common in ornamental gardens which frequently experience long periods without rainfall. 

While many types of drought tolerant plants produce interesting foliage, there are also quite a few options for those who prefer to incorporate bright pops of color into their landscape. Perennial and annual wildflowers are also an excellent choice for full sun/dry soil plants. Portulaca, blanket flower, echinacea, rudbeckia and yarrow are just a few examples of highly adaptable and tolerant summer blooming plants.

Growing succulent plants in the landscape helps fill areas that might not be favorable to the growth of high maintenance ornamentals. Sunny spots with poor soil aren’t a problem for growing succulents as they are for many other plants. There are also several low-maintenance ornamentals that flourish in these conditions. Find them to use as companions with succulents.

Planting Companions with Succulents

Companion planting is often used to add height above ground hugging succulent plants. Drought tolerant flowering plants such as the osteospermum are good candidates. The flowers on this daisy may stand upright or trail alongside your succulents, as do blooms of the perennial Santa Barbara daisy. Allow them to trail among taller succulents like aloe and agave.

Ornamental grasses, often with autumn blooms and interest through winter, are appropriate companion plants for succulents. Numerous varieties exist that have similar maintenance requirements as many succulent plants. Ornamental grasses may be grown to provide afternoon shade if they’re properly located.

While many succulents prefer all day sunshine, afternoon shade can sometimes keep leaves from getting sunburned. Check your succulent type info to learn if they benefit from shade providing ornamentals. Blue fescue grass is shorter but might provide an attractive companion to your succulents.

Yarrow, lavender, salvia, and rosemary are great flowering herbs to grow alongside your succulent beds. These herbs take the same conditions as most ground planted succulents. Depending on your layout, plant these herbs at the back of the bed or surround it with them. If the bed is open on all sides, grow them in the middle.

Other Succulent Companions

Sometimes shrubs or large bushy plants are appropriate to include when planting with succulents. Those that are drought tolerant and need the same or a little more sunshine than the succulent plants include blue mist spirea. This shrub needs well-draining soil, as do the succulents. Soil does not have to be rich or fertile. Watering is also rarely required.

Some types of Euphorbias also grow in these conditions as a small shrub or tree, complementing succulents planted nearby. Rockrose is a bigger shrub that grows well in these conditions. Grow these in soil that is a sandy loam.

Any well-draining soil helps prevent root rot of the succulents and other plants. If you want to plant in an area where soil is clay, this should be amended with compost, pebbles, or sand. The goal is to prevent winter or spring rains from sitting around the root system. A thick layer of grit/gravel/pumice is also appropriate in this soil.

Planting a backyard fruit tree is a gift to yourself that keeps on giving. You’ll have frilly blossoms in spring, homegrown fruit in summer, and sometimes a fall display. Those who live in hot, dry landscapes will find quite a few fruit trees that grow in desert conditions.

Read on for information about your best options for desert garden fruit trees, as well as tips for growing fruit trees in arid conditions.

Desert Garden Fruit Trees

If you live in a region with a hot, desert-like climate, you can still have a backyard orchard. However, you’ll have a few extra challenges to get optimum fruit production from fruit trees that grow in desert landscapes.

One immediate problem for fruit trees for desert climates is the chilling requirement. Most deciduous fruit tree varieties have “chilling requirements,” meaning that the trees must go through a certain number of hours of cool temperatures from 32 to 45 degrees F. (0-7 C.) between November 1st and February 15th. Those looking for the best fruit trees in arid conditions should choose species and cultivars that have low chill requirements.

It’s also a good idea to select desert garden fruit trees that mature early. This means that the fruits develop before the sweltering summer heat. If your region experiences late spring frosts, keep that in mind as well.

Specific areas may also have soil or wind issues to consider. In New Mexican deserts, for example, the soil is usually alkaline, limiting the possible trees you might plant. Clearly, the best desert garden fruit trees are not the same for all regions. 

Good Fruit Trees for Desert Climates

If you are looking for apple tree varieties with low chill requirements, here is a short list to get you started.

• Anna offers sweet, crisp fruit even in the low desert and its chilling requirement is only 200 hours.
• For an even lower chill requirement, go with Ein Shemer, a heavy bearing variety that matures in early summer and requires 100 hours.
• This low chilling is matched by Golden Dorsett, another flavorful, early season apple.

You’ll need at least 300 chill hours for good apricot trees for desert climates. Go with Gold Kist, an excellent, heavy bearing tree with freestone fruit ready for harvest in late May or early June. 

You may be able to grow peaches with only 100 to 150 chill hours if you go for Florida Grande, which needs less than 100 hours. Eva’s Pride requires 100 to 200 hours, and Florida Prince needs 150 hours. 

Are there any fruit trees in arid conditions that don’t have chill requirements? Of course. There are dates. You can also grow almost any of the fig varieties in the desert and get a good crop. Black Mission, Brown Turkey, or White Kadota – try any of them.

Although not trees, you can also add fruits like strawberries and blackberries to your list, which love hot weather.

Gardening in desert sun is tricky and yucca, cacti, and other succulents are often the go-to choices for desert dwellers. However, it’s possible to grow a variety of tough but beautiful plants in these hot, arid regions.

Best Full Sun Desert Plants

Below you will find desert plants for full sun. All are water-wise and easy to grow, even in punishing conditions. Most are environmentally friendly, native plants that are capable of withstanding full sun in the desert.

• Yellow Pine-leaf Beard Tongue: This penstemon plant produces bright yellow, tube-shaped flowers in late spring and early summer. Also known as yellow pine-leaf penstemon, this plant, native to the desert Southwest, is named for its evergreen foliage which resembles pine needles.
• Silver Ironweed: Also known as Vernonia, this is a super tough, sun-loving plant perfect for gardening in desert sun. Look for silvery foliage and bright pink flowers that attract both bees and butterflies but tend to discourage deer and rabbits.
• Yellow Columbine: Also known as golden columbine, it is native to the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. Look for bushy mounds of attractive foliage and sweet yellow blooms on this columbine plant.
• Baja Fairy Duster: This is a shrubby plant that thrives in heat and bright sunlight but benefits from occasional deep watering in summer. Native to Mexico and Baja California, fairy duster is appreciated for the clusters of bright red flowers that resemble tiny feather dusters. 
• Desert Sunrise Agastache: A favorite of hummingbirds and butterflies, thanks to the tall spikes of nectar-rich, tube-shaped flowers of pink and orange that show in late summer. The mint-scented foliage of this drought-tolerant, North American agastache native is an added bonus.
• California poppy: Native to Mexico and the southwestern United States, it tolerates full sun in the desert. This familiar plant displays stunning blooms of yellow, orange, apricot, pink, or cream. The soft, finely cut foliage is pretty too. Although it is technically perennial, California poppy is often grown as a self-seeding annual.
• Desert Zinnia: A low-maintenance native plant with bright yellow-gold flowers in late summer, this bee and butterfly friendly zinnia usually isn’t a top choice of rabbits and deer. When it comes to desert plants for full sun, desert zinnia is one of the best.
• Purple Leaf Sandcherry: Purple leaf sandcherry is a tough, low growing groundcover with sweet smelling, pinkish white flowers in early spring. This perennial is deciduous with foliage that turns a showy shade of reddish mahogany in autumn.
• Desert Sunflower: Native to the desert climates of Mexico and the southwestern United States, this shrubby plant produces masses of bright yellow, daisy-like flowers from late winter through spring, sometimes blooming again in autumn. Desert sunflower is a good choice for a spot with dappled afternoon sunlight.
• Arizona Red Shades Gaillardia: A wonderful plants that produces deep orange-red flowers from early summer to autumn even in hot, dry conditions, as long as you keep it deadheaded. Also known as blanket flower, it is a North American native and one of the best full sun desert plants.

If you live in a hot climate, it’s important to choose plants that love the heat. Otherwise, the plants will suffer and decline. Fortunately, there are plenty of plants to choose from, whether the climate is hot and dry or hot and humid. It is advantageous to choose waterwise plants for those furthest from the house, as they usually get the least amount of irrigation. Let’s learn more about choosing heat-loving plants for full sun.

Plants for Sunny Spots

If you have lots of open spaces, choose plants that need full sun. Be sure to read the plant label on the tag. Some full sun plants also will designate “drought tolerant when established.” That means to water regularly the first season, so the plant has time to get established. Most full sun plants will perform well in a part sun situation as well.

The following plants are sun lovers and can stand up to high heat: 

Trees and Shrubs

• Crepe myrtle (Lagerstroemia spp.)
• Desert Willow (Chilopsis linearis 'Monhews')
• Firebush (Hamelia patens)
• Flame of the Woods (Ixora spp.)
• Powder Puff (Calliandra haematocephala) grows in zones 9b to 11, an evergreen shrub that grows to 15 feet (5 m.). Fragrant, large “puffs” of flowers in watermelon, red, or white.
• Tropical Hibiscus shrub (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis)

Perennials and Grasses

• Autumn Sage (Salvia greggii): Autumn sage is an evergreen to semi-evergreen perennial that blooms from spring to fall in pink, orange, purple, red, or white
• Cape Plumbago (Plumbago auriculata)
• Cigar Plant (Cuphea 'David Verity')
• Firecracker Plant (Russelia equisetiformis dwarf form) Non-stop coral, tubular flowers on cascading stems, zones 9 to 11
• Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium)
• Milkweed (Asclepias spp.)
• Pentas (Pentas lanceolata)
• Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)

If you live in a zone north of these “hot” zones, you can still enjoy these plants as annuals.

Dry, arid climates face a variety of growing challenges. The first one is obvious, dryness. Growing where there is little natural moisture, especially when combined with blazing sun, poses a problem. You can irrigate all you want but that is not waterwise and the costs could really hit your checkbook.

Wiser still might be raised bed gardening. This article will point out some of the benefits and some of the deficits.

Benefits of Raised Beds in Arid Regions

Garden articles advertise raised bed gardening. In zones with little moisture, the practice may also be helpful, especially if you have poor soil. Raised beds for hot regions can allow you to replace existing soil with fertile, well formulated soil. However, they will raise plants up to the hot sun and tend to dry out quickly. Are raised beds right for you though?

Gardening in dry climates can be done but poses a different set of issues than gardening where water is plentiful. Plants need water, so that is number one. Often, dry climate regions have rocky, gritty, infertile soil. Therefore, building a raised bed can help with this problem. Raised beds for hot regions also provide solutions to the following issues:

• Elevated beds mean less stooping over
• You can control the soil type better
• Segregates plants that tend to spread
• Increases drainage
• Perfect for small space gardens
• Attractive
• Eases weed control
• Reduces soil compaction
• Soil warms more quickly after winter

Negatives of Raised Beds in Arid Regions

If your soil lacks good texture, can't hold much moisture, and has no natural fertility, raised beds may be for you. Raised beds do require some effort and cost to build. The amount really depends upon the visual you require. Raised beds may warm quicker in spring but they also cool down faster as winter approaches, potentially cutting your growing season short.

You will have to put some work into maintaining the soil in such a closed system, as nutrients and soil condition will change after a season or two. If you use a tiller to prepare soil in spring, it is not practical in a raised bed.

The biggest downside to raised bed gardening is the amount of water used. The elevated soil will dry out much more quickly than an in-ground bed.

Tips on Gardening in Hot Climates

Now that you know the pros and cons of raised beds for your dry region, you can decide what is right for you. Some of the problems with the system can be solved. Use drip irrigation to deliver water directly to plants. Maintain soil tilth and fertility by applying a top dressing of manure, leaf litter, or compost annually.

To keep costs down in construction, reuse materials at hand such as the remains of a brick patio, cinder blocks, or old beams.

Raised beds may have a few problems but their use has more advantages than disadvantages and might be worth a try.

One big clue when searching for full sun rockery plants is the names "rock" or "alpine" in the label. Think rock cress, yellow alpine alyssum, or rock cotoneaster. However, there are scores of plants for the full sun rock garden in a variety of colors and sizes. The trick is to pick rockery plants that like sun, as some are mountain denizens who prefer cooler, low light situations.

About Full Sun Rockery Plants

A rockery is a great feature that adds dimension to the garden. It is also a space for low moisture plants and can be a bouquet of color and texture. In full sun situations, you need to select plants that are tolerant of drought and high heat. A rock garden with full sun needs species that are tolerant of such punishing conditions.

One great way to ensure your plant selections have the necessary toughness is to use native plants. They are used to the conditions of the region and have adapted to harsh situations. You can check with your local extension office for advice on what to buy or head to a nursery that specializes in the native plants of your area. Make sure the plants you choose are hardy to your region. Not all full sun rockery plants can tolerate cold temperatures.

Full sun plants for a rock garden will not only experience blazing temperatures but may also encounter snow and icy conditions in winter. Take time to prepare the soil around the rock so plants can reap nutrients and soil will hold some moisture while also remaining freely draining.

Rockery Plants That Like Sun

You really can't go wrong with succulents in full sun situations.

• Ice plant is a semi-hardy plant that will spread out appealingly and also produces brightly colored starry flowers.
• Sempervivum and sedum have a variety of species available, most of which are suitable for most zones and come in a host of forms.
• Prickly pear cactus lends some dimension to the rockery with ease of care once established.
• Euphorbia (spurge) is another tried and true perennial that decorates rockeries. Several colors and forms are suitable.

Many grasses, especially the smaller perennial types, can be used in a rockery. They are low maintenance and most have superior drought tolerance. Blue fescue works great in such situations, as does purple fountain grass.

Herbs are also very tolerant of high heat and sun. Thyme is a classic that comes in clumping and creeping varieties. One of the hallmarks of spring rockeries are plants that cascade and bloom. Among these some good choices are:

• Creeping Phlox
• Candytuft
• Alyssum
• Snow in Summer
• Dead Nettle
• Blue Star Creeper
• Aubretia

Drought-tolerant perennials are plants that can get by with little water other than what Mother Nature provides. Many are native plants that have evolved to thrive in dry conditions. Let’s learn more about perennials for drought-prone areas.

About Low Water Perennials

Most perennials suitable for hot, dry climates require loose, well-draining soil and are likely to rot in compacted or soggy soil. Drought-tolerant perennials tend to be low maintenance and most require little, if any, fertilizer.

Keep in mind that all plants need at least a little water, particularly new plants that are just getting started, as moisture helps develop long roots that can tap deep into the soil. Most low water perennials benefit from occasional irrigation during hot, dry weather.

Perennials for Drought

Below are a few examples of perennials that don’t need much water and their USDA growing zones:

• Agastache (Anise hyssop): Native to North America, Agastache is deer-resistant, but very attractive to hummingbirds and butterflies. Flower colors include purple, red, violet, pink, yellow, orange, and white. Zones 4-10
• Yarrow: Yarrow thrives in full sunlight and poor soil, becoming floppy and weak in rich soils. This tough, heat-tolerant perennial is available in a variety of colors including yellow, red, orange, pink, and white. Zones 3-8
• Allium: Allium is an eye-catching plant with big showy globes of tiny, purple florets. This member of the onion family attracts bees and butterflies but isn’t bothered by hungry deer. Zones 4-8
• Coreopsis: A rugged, North American native, coreopsis (aka tickseed) produces bright blooms of orange, yellow, and red. Zones 5-9
• Gaillardia: Blanket flower is a heat-tolerant prairie native that produces bright red, yellow, or orange, daisy-like flowers all summer long. Zones 3-10
• Russian sage: One of the best perennials for hot, dry climates, this hardy perennial is favored for the masses of lavender blooms that rise above silvery green foliage. Deer and rabbits tend to steer clear of Russian sage. Zones 4-9
• Perennial sunflowers: Perennial sunflowers are tough, long blooming perennials that don’t need much water. The cheery plants boast bright yellow blooms that attract a variety of pollinators. Zones 3-8
• Globe thistle: Globe thistle, a native to the Mediterranean, is a striking plant with silvery foliage and globes of steely blue flowers. This sturdy plant will continue to bloom throughout the summer. Zones 3-8
• Salvia: Salvia thrives in a variety of difficult conditions. Hummingbirds are drawn to this super tough plant that blooms from late spring until fall. Growing zones depend on the variety. Some aren’t cold-tolerant.
• Vernonia: Vernonia provides bright color throughout the summer. Some varieties are known as ironweed, thanks to the intense, purple flowers. This plant, while tough and beautiful, can be aggressive, so plant accordingly. Zones 4-9.

The desert can be a harsh environment for plants and punishing to gardeners. Finding appropriate aromatic desert flowers might pose a challenge. Filling the landscape with desert plants that smell good isn't as hard as one might think. There are several native plants that will thrive and even some super-tough perennials.

Keep reading for some fragrant desert flower ideas to perfume your garden.

Choosing Fragrant Plants in Dry Climates

When you think of sweet-smelling flowers, often the tropical beauties come to mind. However, the desert is an altogether different environment. The extreme heat and cold, blazing sun, and lack of water mean plants have to be very tough. Cactus is a perfect example, and while many do get flowers, few actually smell nice. Fragrant plants for desert gardens will balance the traditional plants used in arid regions.

You can expand the variety of plants you grow in an arid landscape by choosing xeriscape plants. These plants have low water needs and many love the searing heat. Also, select plants that can grow in shade where less water is necessary.

When choosing your fragrant desert flowers, include herbs. These will bloom and smell lovely and are super hardy. Consider these:

• Sage
• Hummingbird mint
• Mexican oregano
• Scented geranium
• Thyme
• Lemon basil
• Mexican anise
• Lavender
• Lemon verbena

Bushy and Vined Desert Plants That Smell Good

Creosote is a classic desert shrub which has fragrant leaves that may appeal to one but not another. Mariola is another plant with scented foliage and a hardy nature. Here are some other shrub-like fragrant plants for desert sites to include:

• Western mugwort
• Damianita
• Beebrush
• Sweet olive
• Mandevilla
• Green brittlebush
• Dyssodia
• Arabian jasmine
• Star jasmine
• Moonflower
• California lilac
• Texas mountain laurel

Fragrant Desert Flowers

Flowering plants are probably your best bet for fragrant plants. Penstemon is a perennial with softly blushed spikes of flowers. Alyssum develops into a carpet and emits a nice fragrance. If you are a fan of chocolate, grow a chocolate flower, whose characteristic scent emits in the morning. Additional desert plants that smell sweetly include:

• Tufted evening primrose
• Scarlet bee blossom
• Mock vervain
• Night scented stock
• Yellow sweetclover
• Four o’clock

Achieving a xeriscape cottage garden may not be as difficult as you think. Many heat tolerant cottage garden plants require little to no additional irrigation – the hallmark of xeriscaping. A garden full of tall, colorful flowers swaying in the breeze can be yours with little maintenance. Simply choose cottage garden plants for dry areas.

Using Cottage Garden Plants for Dry Areas

Xeriscaping means reducing the amount of water needed to maintain a garden or landscape by using drought-tolerant plants, smaller lawn areas, mulch, hardscape, and more shade elements.

To create a cottage garden in a xeriscape setting, select heat tolerant plants that are also drought tolerant. Some plants for cottage gardening in the south include:

• Autumn Sage (Salvia greggii): This shrub-like perennial blooms from spring to frost. Autumn sage also invites pollinators into the garden.
• Bearded Irises (Iris spp.): Tall irises, especially bearded irises, are a staple in cottage gardens for their colorful spring bloom.
• Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta): A tough, short-lived perennial that reseeds easily, black-eyed susan has daisy-like yellow blooms that attract birds and butterflies. Reaches 1 to 2 feet (31-61 cm.) tall and wide. 
• Butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa): A perennial host plant of the monarch butterfly, clusters of bright orange flowers bring long lasting color to the xeriscape cottage garden. Bushy butterfly weed plants reach 1 ½ to 2 feet (46-61 cm.) tall and wide and bring scores of butterflies for its nectar.
• Desert willow tree (Chilopsis linearis): This small Texas native tree grows 15 to 25 feet (5-8 m.) tall and blooms profusely in early summer and sporadically thereafter. The light pink to purple, funnel-shaped flowers of desert willow bloom best in full sun.
• Gomphrena: Globe amaranth is a stalwart in the xeriscape cottage garden, with its papery, globular flowers that bloom all summer.
• Lantana (Lantana camara): Blooms summer to fall with white, yellow, orange, red, pink, and purple flowers, with some varieties mixing several colors in the same cluster. Lantana grows shrub-like by fall and is a favorite of butterflies and hummingbirds.
• Cosmos (Cosmos sulphureus): Easily grown from seed, cosmos range from 1 to 3 feet (31-91 cm.). Flowers are daisy-like yellow in semi and double varieties.
• Purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea): This popular perennial grows 3 to 5 feet (just under 1-1.5 m.) tall topped with lavender flowers characterized by drooping rays and prickly, domed center disks. Coneflower attracts butterflies and hummingbirds for its nectar and birds for its seed.
• Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus): A variety of color options brighten the garden with nonstop flowers. The shrubby stems of rose of Sharon can be trimmed to a desired shape.
• Yarrow (Achillea millefolium): Yarrow grows 2 to 3 feet (61-91 cm.) with flat, fuzzy flower heads. Can be invasive. 

Cottage Garden Xeriscaping Tips

Plant the selected flowers in well-drained soil and mulch to conserve moisture. Provide adequate water until the plants are well established. Add a stone path, if desired, to enhance the cottage feel.

Enjoy the rewards of your new, low-maintenance, xeriscape cottage garden!

Native, desert-dwelling wildflowers are hardy plants that have adapted to arid climates and extreme temperatures. If you can provide all that these wildflowers require in terms of temperature, soil, and moisture, there’s no reason you can’t grow desert wildflowers in your garden. Read on for more information about growing wildflowers in the desert.

Growing Wildflowers in the Desert

If you’re interested in growing wildflowers in the desert, or if you’d like to try your hand at xeriscaping with wildflowers, keep in mind that most desert wildflowers tolerate very warm days and won’t grow in cold temperatures. However, temperatures above 85 F. (29 C.) in late winter and early spring may scorch the seedlings. Desert wildflower plants are adaptable to poor, alkaline soil, but the soil must be well-drained. Loosen the top 1 inch (2.5 cm.) of soil before planting. Ensure the plants receive at least eight hours of sunlight per day. If the seeds are tiny, mix them with sand or old potting mix to help you distribute them evenly. Don’t cover seeds with more than 1/8 inch (3 mm.) of soil. Most desert wildflowers need a bit of rain throughout the winter in order to germinate, although too much moisture may rot the plants or wash the seeds away. Plant desert wildflower seeds directly in the garden in early spring when frost is still possible, or before the first hard freeze in fall. Once established, these wildflowers require minimal watering. The plants aren’t heavy feeders and no fertilizer is needed. Most desert wildflowers self-seed readily. Some, such as Blackfoot daisy and California poppy, are perennial. Remove wilted flowers to extend the blooming season.

Popular Wildflowers for Desert Climates

• California poppy
• Arizona poppy
• Blackfoot daisy
• Scarlet or red flax
• Desert plumbago
• Devil’s claw
• Blanket flower
• Desert lupine
• Arroyo lupine
• Desert marigold
• Evening primrose
• Mexican hat
• Penstemon

California, Washington, and other states have seen some of their worst droughts in recent years. Conserving water is not only a matter of keeping your utility bill down but has become a matter of urgency and necessity. Knowing how to garden in a drought will protect your existing plants and can help you grow food crops in low moisture conditions. Using tips for gardening in a drought is a socially and environmentally responsible tactic and a great learning experience as our world changes.

How to Garden in a Drought

One of the main needs of plants is water. This need can be hard to satisfy when gardening in drought conditions. When water is scarce, plants experience stress, increased pest activity, and can fail to thrive. This is why planting drought-resistant plants and using proven water management techniques are important to the modern landscaper. The no-nonsense approach encompasses cultural and selection factors to minimize plant stress and still create a beautiful landscape. The first way to manage the garden in a drought is to choose appropriate plant specimens. Use native plants that are familiar with your conditions and plants that do well in low moisture soils. Planting drought-resistant plants not only minimizes your water usage, but these species are generally hardy in high heat and in soils with poor fertility. Some options might include perennials like:

• Lewisia
• Sedum
• Lavender
• Agastache
• Penstemon
• Coneflower

Evergreen selections for screens and hedges can encompass plants like:

• Nandina
• Coyote plant
• Tecate cypress
• Oregon grape

Your local extension office is a great resource to find native plants and a list of drought-friendly options that do well in your area. They can also be a wonderful partner in designing a drought-tolerant landscape. Planting drought-resistant plants is just the first step in a low moisture garden, but it certainly is one of the most important.

Tips for Gardening in a Drought

Proper soil is crucial to gardening without water. Soil with plenty of organic matter incorporated will hold moisture better than gritty, porous soils or clay compositions which allow little of the water to percolate to plant roots. The timing of planting also plays an important role. Avoid installing plants in the summer when providing adequate moisture for establishing roots can be difficult. Plant in your rainy season to take advantage of the free water and give plants a chance to adjust. Established plants need less water because they have had a chance to develop a large root base and taproots if applicable. This allows the plant to more efficiently gather moisture. The time of day to plant is also important. Do not plant during the heat of the day but rather wait until evening or plant in the early morning. You can still have bountiful harvests and beautiful flowers even in drought conditions if you choose the right plants and follow some rules on water usage.

• First, apply a thick layer of mulch around all of your plants. This will conserve moisture, help prevent competitive weeds, and gradually nourish the roots.
• When you do water, water deeply to encourage a healthy root zone. Irrigate in the early morning or in the evening when the sun's rays won't have a chance to evaporate the water before it reaches the plant's root area.
• Keep competitive weeds out of the garden. One of the most efficient systems for conserving water is a drip system. These are easy to install and allow only the plant to receive water right at its root zone. Use tree rings around trees and larger plants.

Gardening without water or in minimized conditions can be challenging. With a few of these simple tips, however, you can still have the beautiful garden of your dreams without irresponsible waste and high utility bills.

Water-wise gardening is all the rage, especially in areas without consistent rainfall. Xeriscape garden ideas are the perfect way to conserve water and still create a spectacular landscape. Hot and sunny locations are the usual target for xeriscape, and it can be a challenge to try to bring some shade to the area to further enhance the water conservation goals. The objective is to keep water usage down and save native vegetation where possible. Creating shade in the area is one of the tips for saving water and developing a beautiful space.

Benefits of Xeriscape Garden Shading

Xeriscape shade gardens may seem a novelty at first but consider the properties of shade. Shade helps reduce moisture evaporation, it provides shelter from the scorching sun, and it can often protect lower story plants from the leeching and damage that occurs from the wind. In its simplest form, the shade comes from trees and larger bushes. Construction options also exist such as trellises, pergolas, rockeries, and other man-made, shade-producing alternatives. Shade has a host of benefits, not least of which is its ability to give the gardener a cool resting place. Shade provided by barriers, trees, or rocks helps prevent wind desiccation which sucks the moisture out of the soil. It also minimizes evaporation. If you have ever watered the garden in the morning and then looked for moist soil a few hours later, the shady spots are still wet. The heat of the sun can’t penetrate into shady areas and evaporate the precious moisture. Another benefit to xeriscape garden shading is the types of plants used. Shade xeriscape plants are unusual in that they thrive in low light areas which many gardens lack. This provides the opportunity to investigate different types of plants that wouldn’t usually thrive in the landscape.

Xeriscaping Ideas for Creating Shade

Trees are the most obvious choice to provide shade. It is important to choose a tree with water needs that match the rest of the xeriscape. Xeriscape shade gardens with plants still require moisture but you can be water savvy by using emitters and drip systems. Consider the mature size of the plant when you purchase a specimen. It has to fit the landscape and shouldn’t compete with wires, passersby, or impinge upon the home. Native species are often a good choice. They are tough and hardy to your region and generally adaptable to the natural moisture available. Some shade xeriscape plants might be:

• New Mexico Olive
• Mesquite
• Netleaf Hackberry
• Oak
• Golden Raintree
• Vitex
• Lacebark Elm
• Pinyon Pines

Evergreen shrubs like Cliff Fendlerbush or Curlleaf Mountain Mahogany are also good ways to produce a shady area.

Xeriscape Garden Ideas for Non-Organic Shade

Some of the most beautiful xeriscaping ideas for creating shade show up in desert landscaping. Adobe walls enclosing a smaller garden space or patio cast shadows at different parts of the day. This allows for low light situations for at least part of the day and gives you a place to nestle a retreat. A pergola built over outdoor seating dapples the light and helps diffuse the harsh rays of the midday sun. Of course, patio umbrellas can also provide shade but, generally, only over a small area. A larger option for a big shady area is an arbor with xeric vines trained over it. Just a single wisteria can shade an entire arbor or trellis. Trumpet vine and Coral Honeysuckle are two other vigorous vines that will also bloom all summer long and are attractive to bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. As you plan your xeriscape garden, don’t forget to consider your soil type and the size of the plants as you install them. It can take more water to develop an overly stocked garden at infancy than it would to simply wait for plants to fill in, which is counterproductive to the goals of xeriscaping.

It is indeed possible to enjoy roses in drought conditions; we just need to look for drought tolerant rose types and plan things out beforehand to get the best performance possible. Keep reading to learn more about the best drought tolerant roses and care in times of limited moisture.

Rose Plants That Resist Drought

Many of us have either had to or are currently dealing with drought conditions in the areas we live. Such conditions make it tough to have a garden due to the lack of an abundance of water to keep our plants and shrubs well-hydrated. After all, water is a life-giver. Water carries the nutrition to our plants, including our rose bushes. That being said, there are roses that we can focus on that have been tested in various growing conditions to see how they perform. Just as the “Buck Roses” are known for their cold climate hardiness, there are some heat tolerant roses, like the Earth Kind roses, that will perform well in these tough conditions. In fact, many of the species of roses and old garden roses are tolerant of varying climatic conditions. Some climbing rose bushes that have been found to be heat and drought tolerant include:

• William Baffin
• New Dawn
• Lady Hillingdon

If you live in an area that gets very little to no relief from heat and drought conditions, you certainly can still enjoy roses, the choice should shift to enjoying some of the Earth Kind roses noted above, of which Knockout is one. You can also find more info on Earth Kind roses here. A website I recommend for finding some wonderful species of roses can be found at High Country Roses. The folks there are most helpful when it comes to locating the best drought tolerant roses for your growing conditions. Seek out owner Matt Douglas and tell him Stan ‘the Rose Man’ sent you. Be sure to check out some miniature rose bushes too.

Creating More Drought Tolerant Rose Bushes

While no rose bush can live without any water, especially many of our modern roses, there are things we can do to help them be more drought tolerant rose bushes. For instance, mulching roses with a 3- to 4-inch (7.5-10 cm.) layer of good shredded hardwood mulch helps hold available moisture in the soil. This mulch is said to create a condition in our gardens similar to that of a forest floor. The need for fertilization can be reduced in some cases and pretty much eliminated in others with this mulching according to some studies. Many roses can get by on less water once established and perform quite nicely. It is a matter of us thinking and planning out garden areas to help the conditions these plants are subject to be in. Planting roses in good sunny locations is good, but when considering drought tolerance and performance, perhaps trying to select an area that gets less intense sunshine and heat for extended periods may be better. We can create such conditions ourselves by building garden structures that shield out the sun when at its most intense. In areas subject to drought conditions, it is important to water deeply when feasible to do so. This deep watering, combined with the 3- to 4-inch (7.5-10 cm.) mulching, will help many rose bushes continue to perform well. The Floribunda, Hybrid Tea, and Grandiflora roses will likely not bloom as often under the stress of drought but can survive with an every-other-week watering, while still providing some beautiful blooms to enjoy. Many of the miniature rose bushes will do well in such conditions also. I have had some outperform the larger blooming varieties in such conditions to my total delight! In times of drought, water conservation efforts are high, and using the water we have wisely is a top concern. Usually, the communities we live in will impose watering days to help conserve water. I have soil moisture meters that I like to use to see if my roses really need to be watered or if they can go a while yet. I seek out types that have nice long probes on them so that I can probe around the rose bushes in at least three locations, getting down well into the root zones. The three probes give me a good indication of what the moisture conditions truly are in any given area. If we are careful as to what soaps or cleansers we use when we shower or bathe, that water (known as graywater) can be collected and used to water our gardens too, thus serving a dual purpose that helps conserve water.

Water is in short supply across much of the country and responsible gardening means making the best use of available resources. Fortunately, all it takes is a little advance planning to grow a beautiful garden with a variety of plants, including low maintenance, drought resistant perennials. Read on for a few ideas to inspire you.

Heat and Drought Tolerant Plants with Color

Selecting drought tolerant plants with color isn’t as difficult as you might think. Here are some popular perennials that will add a pop of color while handling the heat of sun and drought-like conditions:

• Salvia (Salvia spp.) - Salvia is a hardy, drought-tolerant plant greatly loved by butterflies and hummingbirds. This low-maintenance cousin to kitchen sage displays tall spikes of tiny white, pink, violet, red, and blue flowers. Most varieties are suitable for USDA plant hardiness zones 8 through 10, although some may tolerate cooler climates.
• Blanket flower (Gaillardia spp.) - Blanket flower is a hardy prairie plant that produces flashy blooms of intense yellow and red from early summer through autumn. This tough plant grows in zones 3 through 11.
• Yarrow (Achillea) - Yarrow is another toughie that loves heat and sunlight. This drought-tolerant plant produces bright summertime blooms in shades of red, orange, yellow, pink, and white. It grows in zones 3 through 9.

Drought Tolerant Perennials for Shade

The selection of drought-tolerant perennials for shade may be slightly more limited, but you still have a wide selection of lovely plants from which to choose. Keep in mind that almost all shade-loving plants require at least a couple of hours of sunlight per day; very few plants will tolerate total shade. Many do well in light broken or filtered sunlight.

• Deadnettle (Lamium maculatum) - Deadnettle is one of the few plants that can survive in nearly total shade and either dry or moist soil. It is appreciated for its silvery leaves with contrasting green edges and salmon pink flowers that bloom in spring. Deadnettle is suitable for zones 4 through 8.
• Heuchera (Heuchera spp.) - Heuchera prefers light shade but tolerates more sunlight in cool climates. It is an eye catcher with clumps of showy, heart shaped leaves in bold, shimmery colors. Heuchera grows in zones 4 through 9.
• Hosta (Hosta spp.) - Hosta are drought-tolerant perennials that are happy with a couple hours of morning sunlight. Avoid hot afternoon sun, especially if water is in short supply. In partial shade, Hosta does fine with about an inch (2.5 cm.) of water every week. Hosta is suitable for growing in zones 2 through 10.
• Acanthus (Acanthus spp.), - Acanthus also known as bear’s breech, is a hardy Mediterranean native that tolerates partial shade and full sun. Acanthus displays large, spiky leaves and tall spikes of rose, off-white, or purple flowers. Acanthus is suitable for zones 6a through 8b or 9.

Drought Tolerant Perennials for Containers

Most plants are suitable for container growing. For large plants be sure the container is big enough to accommodate the roots. If the plant is tall, use a sturdy pot with a wide, heavy base. Here are a few drought tolerant perennials for containers:

• Beebalm (Monarda didyma) - Beebalm is a bee and hummingbird magnet that thrives in full sunlight or partial shade. Check containers often as bee balm doesn’t need a lot of water but the soil should never be bone dry. Beebalm grows in zones 4 through 9.
• Daylily (Hemerocallis spp.) - Daylily is a tuberous plant that sports clumps of large, lance-shaped leaves. Daylily is available in a wide variety of colors, depending on the variety. Daylily doesn’t require a lot of water but appreciates an occasional deep irrigation during hot, dry weather. Daylily is suitable for zones 3 through 9.
• Purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) - Purple coneflower is an old-fashioned, drought-tolerant perennial that produces loads of purplish mauve blooms all summer. Butterflies love purple coneflower, which grows in zones 3 through 9.
• Gerbera daisy (Gerbera jamesonii) - Gerbera daisy is an elegant, South African native that thrives in hot, dry conditions. The huge, daisy-like blooms come in a variety of pure colors ranging from white to pink, purple, and magenta. Gerbera daisy grows in zones 8 through 11.

One of the best ways a gardener can cut down water usage is to replace thirsty bushes and hedges with drought resistant shrubs. Don’t think that shrubs for arid conditions are limited to spikes and thorns. You can find lots of species to choose from, including drought tolerant flowering shrubs and drought tolerant evergreen shrubs.

Choosing the Best Drought Tolerant Shrubs

The best drought tolerant shrubs vary from region to region. The trick is to find drought resistant shrubs that grow well in your area. Select shrubs on a site-by-site basis, taking soil, climate, and exposure into account. When you are selecting shrubs for arid conditions, remember that all shrubs need irrigation while they are establishing a root system. Even the best drought tolerant shrubs – including drought tolerant evergreen shrubs – only develop the ability to use water efficiently after the initial planting and establishment period is over.

Drought Tolerant Evergreen Shrubs

Many people think of drought tolerant evergreen shrubs as a Christmas tree species. However, you can find both needled and broadleaf trees that hold onto their leaves through winter. Since plants with small leaves suffer less water stress than those with big leaves, it is no surprise that some of the best drought tolerant plants are needled evergreens. Eastern arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis) makes a great hedge and needs little water after establishment. Other needled water savers include Sawara false cypress (Chamaecyparis pisifera) and most species of juniper (Juniperus spp.). If you want broadleaf evergreen shrubs, you can pretty much select any species of holly (Ilex spp.) and be certain you have drought resistant shrubs. Japanese, inkberry, and American holly are all excellent choices.

Drought Tolerant Flowering Shrubs

You don’t have to give up bushes with blossoms to lower water use. Just be selective. Some of your old favorites might actually be just what you require. If you have a couple of bottlebrush buckeye (Aesculus parvifolia) in the garden, you’ve already found shrubs for arid conditions. Ditto with the following:

• Butterfly bush (Buddleia davidii)
• Forsythia (Forsythia spp.)
• Japanese flowering quince (Chaenomeles x superba)
• Lilac (Syringa spp.)
• Panicle hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata)

Other great drought tolerant flowering shrubs may be less familiar. Look at these, for instance:

• Bayberry (Myrica pensylvanica)
• Arrowwood viburnum (Viburnum dentatum)
• Bush cinquefoil (Potentilla fruticosa)

To replace those thirsty heirloom roses, try saltspray rose (Rosa rugosa) or Virginia rose (Rosa virginiana).

Drought is a major concern for gardeners across much of the country. However, it’s very possible to grow a gorgeous, water-wise garden. You can find drought tolerant plants for nearly any situation, including heat-loving groundcover plants and groundcovers that withstand drought. Read on for tips and information about a few of the best drought tolerant groundcovers.

Selecting the Best Drought Tolerant Groundcovers

The best drought tolerant groundcovers share several common characteristics. For example, drought-tolerant plants often have small or narrow leaves with a smaller surface area and reduced moisture loss. Similarly, plants with leaves that are waxy, curled, or deeply veined retain moisture. Many drought tolerant plants are covered with fine grey or white hairs, which help the plant reflect heat.

Drought Tolerant Groundcovers for Shade

Keep in mind that even shade-loving plants need some sun. Usually, these tough plants do well in broken or filtered sunlight, or early morning sunlight. Here are some good choices for dry, shady areas:

• Periwinkle/creeping myrtle (Vinca minor) – Periwinkle/creeping myrtle have shiny green leaves covered with tiny, star-shaped indigo flowers in spring. USDA plant hardiness zones 4 through 9.
• Creeping mahonia/Oregon grape (Mahonia repens) – Creeping mahonia/Oregon grape feature evergreen leaves with fragrant yellow flowers that appear in late spring. Blooms are followed by clusters of attractive, purple berries. Zones 5 through 9.
• Sweet woodruff (Galium odoratum) – Sweet woodruff has soft green leaves and carpets of small white flowers in late spring and early summer. Zones 4 through 8.
• Creeping thyme (Thymus serpyllum) – Creeping thyme leaves are small and dense, covered by mounds of blooms in lavender, rose, red, or white. Zones 3 through 9.

Drought Tolerant Groundcovers for Sun

Popular sun-loving groundcovers that tolerate drought include:

• Rockrose (Cistus spp.) – Rockrose has lush, gray-green foliage and colorful blooms of various shades of pink, purple, white, and rose. Zones 8 through 11.
• Snow in summer (Cerastium tomentosum) – The foliage of Snow in summer is silvery-grey with tiny white blooms that appear in late spring and last through early summer. Zones 3 through 7.
• Moss phlox (Phlox subulata) – Moss phlox have narrow leaves and masses of purple, pink, or white flowers that last all spring. Zones 2 through 9.
• Winecups (Callirhoe involucrata) – Winecups feature deeply cut leaves with bright magenta blooms that resemble tiny hibiscus flowers. Zones through 11.

Ornamental grasses are often considered to be drought tolerant. This is true in many cases, but not all these magnificent plants can survive severe drought. Even well-established cool-season grasses will need supplemental water, but some of the warm-season grasses are better suited to the dry conditions of summer and certain regions. There are several drought tolerant ornamental grasses that will perform well and grace your landscape with airy elegance.

Is There an Ornamental Grass That Resists Drought?

The gentle sway and seductive whisper of sound that ornamental grasses afford the landscape are balms to the soul. Heat-loving ornamental grasses have particular value in hot climates. These water-saving plants are easy to maintain and generally tolerant of dry soils. Choosing the right ornamental grass for arid conditions is important. Nothing is more fruitless than purchasing an elegant grass for its drought tolerance only to find it failing when the moisture levels aren’t right. Whether you live in a dry part of the country or are just trying to be water wise, plants that thrive in low moisture areas are important choices. Ornamental grasses are not all adapted to drought. Even those that tolerate such conditions may need to be planted in a semi-shady location to perform best. Avoid grasses that require moist soil such as most Carex (sedge), rush, and moor grass. These are all native to regions with moist meadows or occur in ditches where water collects. Fortunately, there is a wide selection of ornamental grass for arid conditions and some that can withstand periods of drought in summer by going semi-dormant.

Choosing Drought Tolerant Ornamental Grasses

Evaluate your landscape for soil fertility, drainage, and light conditions. Most ornamental grasses perform best in full sun, but some can tolerate partial shade, which is useful in hot, arid climates. Most warm-season grasses have thick roots that conserve and uptake moisture, making them ideal for the dry zones of the garden. Heat-loving ornamental grasses suited to xeriscape yards in full sun include:

• Blue grama
• Buffalo grass
• Arizona fescue
• Green fescue
• Switcgrass
• Bluebunch wheatgrass
• Prairie dropseed

Zebra grass is a Miscanthus that will survive drought if planted in partial shade, as do Elijah Blue fescue and leatherleaf sedge. If architectural excellence is on your mind, you can’t go wrong with pampas grass, which prefers partial shade and, once established, is an ornamental grass that resists drought in any but the most extreme weather. Blue oat grass will add color and texture in dry zones, and feather reed grass turns a rich rust color with delicate airy inflorescences. Miscanthus variegatus and Schizachyrium Blue Heaven are two cultivars that have both drought proof growth and deer resistance.

Growing Drought Tolerant Ornamental Grasses

Planting and site preparation are crucial to healthy plants that have drought tolerance.

• Amend the soil with organic matter to increase fertility, reduce weed competitors, and help conserve moisture.
• Loosen the soil a foot (31 cm.) around the root zone so newly forming roots can easily grow through the area.
• Even drought tolerant grasses will need supplemental watering as they establish. Keep them moderately moist for the first year and then keep a careful watch in subsequent years for browning and drought stress.
• Many ornamental grasses will die out in the center. This is a signal that it needs dividing. Dig it up in the dormant season and cut it into two to three pieces. Plant each piece for a new grass but don’t forget to water until established.

In most cases, little extra care is needed for growing drought tolerant ornamental grasses. If your grass seeds grow prolifically and the conditions are right, you could end up with more grass than you can handle. Deadheading flower plumes is an easy way to keep the plants where you want them and reduce volunteers.

As drought conditions worsen across much of the country, it’s time to pay close attention to water usage in our homes and gardens. However, if you think the drought is going to dry up your hopes of a beautiful garden filled with colorful annuals, don’t worry. Read on for tips and information about a few of the best drought-tolerant annuals.

Characteristics of the Best Drought Tolerant Annuals

Annuals are plants that live for only one growing season. Generally, flowering annuals bloom all summer, then set seed before they die when the weather turns cold in autumn. The best drought-tolerant annuals tend to have smaller leaves, which minimize moisture evaporation. The leaves may be waxy to retain moisture, or they may be covered with silvery or white hairs to reflect light. Drought-tolerant annuals often have long roots so they can reach for moisture deep in the soil.

Drought Tolerant Annuals for Full Sun

Here are some suggestions for annual plants that tolerate sunny, drought conditions:

• Dusty miller (Senecio cineraria) – Silvery, fern-like foliage that provides an interesting contrast when planted next to annuals with deep green foliage and brightly colored blooms. Dusty miller is perennial in mild climates.
• Marigolds (Tagetes) – Lacy, bright green foliage and compact blooms in shades of orange, copper, gold, and bronze.
• Moss rose (Portulaca grandiflora) – Sun- and heat-loving annuals with succulent leaves and masses of colors in a variety of intense shades such as yellow, pink, red, orange, violet, and white.
• Gazania (Gazania spp.) – A low-growing, ground-hugging plant that produces bright, daisy-like blooms of pink, orange, red, white, yellow, and orange in parched, sunbaked soil.
• Lantana (Lantana camara) – Shrubby annual with bright green leaves and clusters of brightly colored blooms.

Drought Tolerant Annuals for Shade

Keep in mind that most shade-loving plants require small amounts of sunlight every day. They do well in broken or filtered light, or in a location exposed to early morning sunlight. These shade to semi-shade loving annuals handle drought well:

• Nasturtium (Tropaelum majus) – Easy-to-grow annuals with attractive, green leaves and flowers in sunny shades of yellow, red, mahogany, and orange. Nasturtiums love partial shade or morning sunlight.
• Wax begonia (Begonia x semperflorens-cultorum) – waxy, heart-shaped leaves in shades of mahogany, bronze, or bright green, with long-lasting blooms ranging from white to rose, pink or red. Wax begonia tolerates shade or sun.
• California poppy (Eschscholzia californica) – a drought-friendly plant that prefers sun but does well in partial shade. California poppy provides feathery, bluish-green foliage and intense, orange blooms.
• Spider flower (Cleome hasslerana) – another annual that loves the sun but blooms well in partial shade, spider flower is a tall plant that provides exotic-looking flowers in shades of white, rose, and violet.

Drought Tolerant Annuals for Containers

As a general rule, plants that are suitable for sun or shade are also well suited for containers. Just be sure the plants that share a container have similar needs. Don’t plant sun-loving plants in the same pots as annuals that need shade.

How to Grow Drought-Tolerant Annuals

Generally, drought-tolerant annuals require very little care. Most are happy with a deep watering whenever the soil is relatively dry. Most don’t tolerate bone-dry soil. (Check container plants often!) Fertilize regularly throughout the blooming season to support continued flowering. Pinch seedlings at least once or twice to promote bushy grown and deadhead wilted blooms regularly to prevent plants from going to seed early.

Scientists assure us that the earth is just going to keep getting warmer and all evidence seems to clarify this point. With this in mind, many gardeners are looking for solutions to minimize water usage by seeking out plants that thrive with less irrigation. Growing a drought tolerant herb garden is an ideal partnership. How to grow drought hardy herbs and which culinary herbs resist drought? Read on to learn more.

How to Grow Drought Hardy Herbs

The good news about growing drought tolerant herb gardens is that many herbs hail from the Mediterranean, a region of inhospitable, rocky land that is hot and dry. Over time these plants have evolved into sturdy heat lovers that require minimal irrigation for survival. Additionally, herbs require no fertilization, especially if the garden plot has been properly prepared prior to planting, making them the perfect useful, yet unfussy, choice for a low water garden. To ensure the success of a garden of drought tolerant herbs, a little soil amendment goes a long way. Drought tolerant herbs are by necessity tough, resistant to most diseases and pests, but as with most plants they will do best in soil laden with micro-nutrients. Adding compost to the soil will ensure that the plants are able to uptake valuable nutrition as well as providing well-draining soil. Even with a global warming trend, there are times of heavy rains and herbs do not typically like “wet feet.” Dig in 30 to 50% organic compost, sand and other amendments into the soil, especially if it is clay, to allow for root aeration and drainage. If you live in an area that, regardless of warming trends, has frequent wet weather and/or high humidity levels, growing a drought tolerant herb garden may be a bit more of a challenge. Raise the bed to facilitate drainage along with amending the soil. Also, space the herbs out when planting them. This will help you avoid root rot, powdery mildew, and other fungal diseases that prevail in damp conditions. Mulch the bed after you plant. Mulching will prevent water from collecting on the leaves as well as aiding in weed retardation.

Culinary Herbs that Resist Drought

There are many culinary herbs, but not all of them tolerate drought or low water conditions. That said, many of the most commonly utilized for food preparation are indeed drought tolerant.

• Garlic chives – Garlic chives (Allium tuberosum) are an excellent choice for the low water garden. They have a slight garlicky flavor and are delicious in just about everything. They also have lovely pompom lilac-colored blooms. If you allow them to bloom, however, keep in mind they self-sow at the drop of a hat.
• Onion chives – Onion chive (Allium schoenoprasum) is also a great choice for a culinary herb that resists drought. These chives are more onion-like in flavor. The blossoms from this chive (and the garlic chive) can be eaten or used for garnish.
• Lavender – Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is another excellent choice with a number of varieties to choose from and lovely purple to light purple blossoms great for sachets or potpourris.
• Lovage – Levisticum officinale, or lovage, has a strong, sweet to salty celery-like flavor. Use this herbaceous perennial in soups and stews or the young stems in salads.
• Oregano – Greek oregano, as its name suggests is native to the Greek Isles and a perfect match for the low water garden. Its name means “joy of the mountain” from the Greek oros (mountain) and ganos (joy). Wonderful used fresh in culinary masterpieces or dried as well, oregano has medicinal qualities used as an antiseptic, an anti-bacterial and anti-fungal.
• Rosemary – Rosemary is nearly indestructible and is perfect in a drought tolerant garden. Over time, rosemary can grow quite large if not restrained by pruning. It can also make an aromatic hedge and does very well in rocky soils.
• Sage – Sage is another contender. Salvia officinalis is a hardy perennial sub-shrub. There are several varieties, all of which can be used fresh or dried. Many of the sage varieties have lovely blossoms as well.
• Thyme – Thyme is another good choice with some varieties excellent groundcovers. Dry soil actually concentrates the aromatic oils in thyme and it thrives in rocky conditions.

Divide perennial herbs every few years to renew the vigor of the plant. Other than that, herbs are simple to grow and, in many cases, the more you ignore them the healthier they seem to get. Herbs are not only drought tolerant but disease and pest resistant, and the perfect plants for the novice or lazy gardener.

Water conservation is the responsibility of every citizen, not just in areas with drought or low moisture conditions. Turf lawns are one of the main water-sucking plants in the garden. That green expanse of lawn requires regular moisture, especially in the dry season. Drought resistant grass is an option, but there is no truly drought tolerant grass for lawns. You can make a selection that requires less water than other species, or you can choose to use a substitute for grass such as a ground cover, moss or even stepping stones.

Drought Tolerant Grass Varieties

Finding a drought resistant grass type is not as difficult as it used to be. Tighter water restrictions in moisture deficient municipalities have made using drought tolerant lawn grass or alternatives to turf lawns a priority. Fortunately, breeding and technology have come to our rescue and you can now install a lawn that requires less than one quarter of a traditional turf grasses water needs. Sod selection isn’t only dependent upon water needs. You also need to take into consideration your soil conditions, lighting, use and maintenance issues, and even the visual appearance you require. The local weather conditions are also a consideration. There are cool-season and warm-season grasses, with warm-season varieties more suited to the south and cool types used in the north. Kentucky bluegrass is a good choice in areas with hot summers and cold winters. It has all around tolerance and produces well even in poor soil with minimal moisture. Tall fescue is a very common wild grass that has been used as turf grass. It responds well to mowing, tolerates shade, develops a deep root system in prepared soil and can handle foot traffic. A University of California ranking shows the most drought tolerant grass for lawns is hybrid Bermuda grass and then in order:

• Zoysia grass
• Common Bermuda grass
• Seashore paspalum
• St. Augustine grass
• Kikuyu grass
• Tall and Red fescues
• Kentucky Bluegrass
• Ryegrass
• Several Bentgrass species
• Buffalo grass

Drought Tolerant Grass Alternatives

Even the most drought tolerant grass varieties will still need some water to keep it healthy or the grass will lose vigor and leave it open to weeds, insects and diseases. Drought tolerant grass alternatives are another way to reduce water consumption while still getting a beautiful green ground cover.

• Moss – In shady areas, moss is an effective ground cover. It will turn brown in extremely hot weather, but it persists in most cases and renews in fall or when rains return.
• Sedum – Succulents, such as low growing sedum, are perfect as ground cover and require little moisture. They are not at all tolerant of heavy foot traffic but the use of some pavers should help take care of that.
• Thyme – Thyme is a water miser that thrives in bright, dry, sunny conditions. Once it takes off, the plant will create a tight network of color. The best thing about thyme is the variety of colors and variegation, plus the added bonus of flowers.

Other excellent lawn alternatives include:

• Green Carpet Rupturewort
• Kidney Weed
• Blue Star Creeper
• Bellis
• Dymondia
• Sedge grass - Carex pansa, Carex glauca
• UC Verde

Making the Most of the Drought Tolerant Lawn Grass

Once you have made your choice, installation and care are two things that must be managed carefully in order to get the best result.

• Amend the planting area and cultivate deeply so roots can penetrate easily.
• Use a starter fertilizer formulated for turfgrass to get it off to a good start. You may choose to use seed or plugs, but in areas with water restrictions, the best bet is to get rolled out sod. This will be sheets of established grass that will take more quickly and root in half the time with no open areas that are prey to weed infestation. Fertilize the next spring with a high nitrogen grass food and keep the mower a setting up to help keep foliage cover over the sensitive root zone.
• Thatch and aerate when needed to establish good percolation and keep excess thatch from preventing new grass growth.

In these days of global warming, many people are concerned about impending water shortages and the need to preserve water resources. For gardeners, the problem is particularly pronounced since prolonged drought can stress, weaken and even kill backyard trees and shrubs. Growing drought tolerant trees is one good way a gardener can make the home landscape more resistant to dry weather. Read on to learn about the best drought tolerant trees.

Trees that Handle Drought

All trees need some water, but if you are planting new trees or replacing those in your backyard, it pays to select trees that handle drought. You can identify drought tolerant deciduous trees and drought resistant evergreen trees if you know what to look for. A few species – like birch, dogwood and sycamore – are decidedly not good dry-weather species, but many others species resist drought to some extent.

When you want trees that handle drought, consider a number of different factors to find the best drought tolerant trees for your backyard. Choose native trees that are well adapted to the soil and climate of your region since they will be more drought tolerant than non-native trees.

Pick small-leafed trees like willow and oak, rather than leaves with large leaves like cottonwood or basswood. Trees with small leaves use water more efficiently. Pick upland tree species rather than species that grow on bottomlands, and trees with upright crowns rather than those with spreading crowns.

Opt for colonizing species like pine and elm rather than species that move in later such as sugar maple and beech. “First responder” trees that are the first to appear in burned out fields and generally know how to survive with little water.

Drought Tolerant Deciduous Trees

If you want those beautiful leaves that drift to the ground in autumn, you’ll find lots of drought tolerant deciduous trees. Experts recommend red and paperbark maple, most species of oak and elms, hickory and ginkgo. For smaller species, try sumacs or hackberries.

Drought Resistant Evergreen Trees

Despite the thin, needle-like leaves, not all evergreens are drought resistant evergreen trees. Still, some of the best drought tolerant trees are evergreen. Most pines use water efficiently, including:

• Shortleaf pine
• Pitch pine
• Virginia pine
• Eastern white pine
• Loblolly pine

You can also opt for various hollies or junipers.

Scientists are predicting increasingly warm, dry conditions around the globe. Faced with that certainty, many gardeners are looking at methods of conserving water or looking for drought resistant vegetables, varieties that have evolved into growing in hot and dry realms. What types of drought tolerant vegetables work best in a low water garden and what are some other tips for growing low water vegetables?

Tips for Growing Low Water Vegetables

While there are a number of drought tolerant vegetable varieties available, without some planning, extreme drought and heat will kill even the hardiest. Planting at the correct time is crucial. Sow the seeds earlier in the spring to take advantage of the warm weather and jump start the growing season, or plant later in the fall to minimize the use of irrigation and use the seasonal rains to your advantage. Add a 3 to 4 inch (8-10 cm.) layer of mulch, which can cut the need for watering in half. Use grass clippings, dried leaves, pine needles, straw, or shredded bark to keep the soil cooler and reduce water evaporation. Also raised beds help retain water better than open beds. Plant in groupings or hexagonal offset patterns rather than in rows when growing drought tolerant vegetables. This will provide shade from the leaves to keep the soil cooler and water from evaporating. Consider companion planting. This is just a method of grouping crops together to reap the benefits from each other. The Native American “three sisters” method of planting corn, beans, and squash together is age old and works very well. The beans leach nitrogen into the soil, the corn acts as a living bean scaffold, and the squash leaves keep the soil cool. Use a drip system to water. Overhead watering is not as efficient, and a lot of the water just evaporates off of the leaves. Water the garden in the late evening or early morning, between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. Water more heavily when the plants are very young and reduce the amount as they mature. The exception to this is as the plants set fruit, reintroduce additional water for a time and then reduce it again.

Drought Tolerant Vegetable Varieties

Drought resistant vegetables are often those with short days to maturity. Other options include the miniature varieties, bell peppers and eggplant for example. They need less water for fruit development than their larger cousins. The following is a list, albeit not complete, of types of drought resistant veggies:

• Rhubarb (once mature)
• Swiss chard
• ‘Hopi Pink’ corn
• ‘Black Aztec’ corn
• Asparagus (once established)
• Sweet potato
• Jerusalem artichoke
• Globe artichoke
• Green-striped cushaw squash
• ‘Iroquois’ cantaloupe
• Sugar Baby watermelon
• Eggplant
• Mustard greens
• Okra
• Peppers
• Armenian cucumber

Legumes of all sorts are drought resistant and include:

• Chickpea
• Tepary bean
• Moth bean
• Cowpea (black-eyed pea)
• ‘Jackson Wonder’ lima bean

The green leafed types of amaranth tolerate little water, as do many tomato varieties. Snap beans and pole beans have a short growing season and can rely on residual water found in the soil. Growing healthy drought resistant vegetables will require a strict adherence to a water schedule when plants are young and un-established. They also need a good layer of moisture retentive mulch, protection from drying winds, soil amended with organic matter to feed the plants and, for some plants, shade cloth to lessen the effects of the sweltering sun.

Desert gardeners have several challenges that don’t face the average landscaper. Designing a garden in arid zones can be a test of creativity combined with practicality. The benefits of drought-tolerant plants encompass more than their water-saving traits. Drought tolerant desert plants also have unique and wonderful adaptations while providing imaginative form and grace for easy care arid region gardening. Read on for some good plants for dry areas.

Why Use Drought Tolerant Desert Plants?

Every garden has its trials whether it is poor drainage, shady plots, or heavy soils. The test for gardeners is to choose plants that will do well in the particular conditions of the landscape and still require minimal maintenance. The water-storing features of desert plants make them perfect for the arid garden. Using less water in dry regions saves money as well as that limited resource. It also means you have to drag a sprinkler around less, which is a chore that seems thankless in hot, dry areas. Drought tolerant plants in the desert are an extreme adaptation necessary for natural flora to survive. Using the water-storing features of desert plants is a smart way to decorate the arid garden while conserving a rare commodity. Some of the amazing adaptations include deep taproots, minimal foliage or waxy protective coatings on leaves, thick stems and pads to hold moisture, and slow growth rates. There are more plants than cactus from which to choose for a water-wise garden. Drought tolerant desert plants come in a range of colors and sizes, with spectacular blooming selections and one-of-a-kind forms. Many are available at garden centers or you can order hard-to-find specimens.

Good Plants for Dry Areas

Always check the zone requirements for a plant before you buy it. Some drought-tolerant plants in the desert are specific to hot zones, while others need cold periods. Plants from warm regions will not do well if your landscape experiences freezes or cold temperatures. Succulents and cactus are obvious choices for the arid garden. You might also think about some plants with more dimension and height such as:

• Acacia
• Palo Verde
• Mesquite
• Iron Wood

Flowering bushes like Texas Ranger and Fairy Duster bring colorful blooms to the landscape and have low water needs. Vertical impact is easy to achieve with plants like Bougainvillea and Pampas grass. Designing a desert garden starts with a list of the plants you might like and choosing the areas for them to be installed. Keep in mind the soil type, light conditions, and the mature size of the plant. Low-growing plants are great for containers or for a rockery. Succulents are charming when used between paving stones. Those bigger trees can help provide some privacy when planted near the street, while medium sized bushes provide screening or hedge situations as well as foundation plantings. Even northern gardeners can harness the benefits of drought-tolerant plants in the xeriscape garden or drier zones of the landscape. One of the best ways to enjoy desert plants in any climate is with a dish garden. Choose a variety of forms of succulents and plant them in one container for a miniature desert look. You can always bring the plants indoors when unfavorable conditions threaten.

If you are a gardener living in a hot, arid climate, I’m sure you have researched and/or tried a number of drought tolerant plant varieties. There are many drought resistant vines suited for dry gardens. The following discusses some excellent vines for hot gardens.

Why Grow Drought Tolerant Climbing Plants?

Growing drought tolerant vines satisfies several criteria. The most obvious being their need for very little water; they aren’t a cacti though, and do require some water. Often hand in hand with lack of water is oppressive heat. Growing drought tolerant vines creates a natural arbor of shade that is often ten degrees cooler than the surrounding, sun-drenched landscape. 

Vines that can handle drought can also be planted right up against the house, again lending a curtain of greenery while cooling the inside temperature. Vines for hot gardens provide wind protection as well, thus reducing dust, sun glare, and reflected heat. Vines in general, add an interesting vertical line in the landscape and can act as a divider, barrier, or privacy screen. 

Many vines have gorgeous flowers that add color and aroma. All this without taking up much ground space.

Types of Vines That Can Handle Drought

There are four main types of vines:

• Twining vines have stems that wrap around any available support.
• Tendril climbing vines are vines that support themselves via tendrils and side shoots up anything they can grab onto. These and twining types are suited to training up baffles, fences, pipes, trellises, posts, or wooden towers.
• Self-climbing vines, which will attach themselves to rough surfaces like brick, concrete, or stone. These vines have aerial rootlets or adhesive “feet.”
• Non-climbing shrub vines are the fourth group. They grow long branches with no means of climbing and must be tied and trained by the gardener.

List of Drought Resistant Vines

• Arizona grape ivy – Arizona grape ivy is hardy to sunset zones 10 through 13. It is a slow growing, deciduous vine that can be trained up walls, fences, or trellises. It can become invasive and may need to be pruned to control it. It will freeze to the ground at temps below 20 degrees F. (-6 C.).
• Bougainvillea – Bougainvillea is a showy bloomer from early summer through fall, good for sunset zones 12 to 21, and requires very little water. It will need to be tied to a support.
• Honeysuckle – Hardy in sunset zones 9 to 24, Cape honeysuckle is an evergreen, shrubby vine that must be tied to supporting structures to develop a true vine habit. It is native to Africa and has vibrant, orange-red, tubular flowers.
• Carolina jessamine – Carolina jessamine uses twining stems to clamber up fences, trellises, or walls. It can get very top heavy and should be pruned by 1/3 each year. All parts of the plant are poisonous.
• Cat’s claw vine – Cat’s claw vine (sunset zones 8-24) is an aggressive, rapidly growing vine that attaches itself to almost any surface with claw-like tendrils. It has yellow, 2 inch (5 cm.), trumpet-shaped flowers in the spring and is great if you have a large vertical surface needing cover.
• Creeping fig – Creeping fig needs a medium amount of water and is an evergreen vine useful in sunset zones 8 through 24, attaching itself via aerial rootlets.
• Crossvine – Crossvine is a self-climbing vine hardy to sunset zones 4 to 9. An evergreen, its foliage turns reddish purple in the fall.
• Desert snapdragon – Desert snapdragon vine climbs via tendrils and is hardy to sunset zone 12. It is a smaller herbaceous vine capable of covering about a 3 foot (1 m.) area. It is ideal for hanging baskets, small trellises, or gates.
• Grape – Grape grows rapidly, is deciduous with edible fruit, and is hardy to sunset zones 1 through 22.
• Hacienda creeper – Hacienda creeper (zones 10-12) looks much akin to the Virginia creeper but with smaller leaves. It does best with some protection from the hot afternoon sun in the summer.
• Jasmine – Primrose jasmine (zone 12) has a sprawling evergreen, shrubby habit that can be trained to a trellis to show off its 1 to 2 inch (2.5-5 cm.), double yellow blooms. Star jasmine is hardy through zones 8 to 24 and a gorgeous evergreen with thick, leathery leaves and bunches of star-shaped, aromatic white flowers.
• Lady Bank’s rose – Lady Bank’s rose is a non-climbing rose that needs some shade during the heat of the day and is hardy to sunset zones 10 to 12. It can rapidly cover areas of 20 feet (6 m.) or more in a profusion of blossoms.
• Mexican flame vine – Mexican flame vine is hardy to zone 12 and also needs very little water. Butterflies love its orange-red clusters of flowers and it is resistant to pests and diseases.
• Silver lace vine – Silver lace vine is hardy to zones 4 through 8 and a deciduous twining vine with, as its name suggests, grayish foliage bearing huge masses of delicate white blooms in summer and fall.
• Trumpet vine – Pink Trumpet vine is fast growing and easy to grow and, once established, tolerates heat, sun, wind, and drought as well as light frost. Violet trumpet vine is good to zones 9 and 12 to 28, has interesting leaves, and trumpet-shaped lavender flowers with purple veins.
• Yucca vine – Also called yellow morning glory, this fast growing vine dies back at 32 degrees F. (0 C.) but is very drought tolerant. Use in sunset zones 12 to 24.
• Wisteria – Wisteria is long living, tolerates alkaline soils, and needs little water with a reward of vast swaths of lilac, white, blue, or pink blossoms in early summer.

This list is not a comprehensive listing of all drought tolerant climbing plants but meant to be a starting point. There are also a number of annual vines suited to growing in dry climates such as:

• Scarlet Runner bean
• Hyacinth bean
• Cup and Saucer vine
• Sweet Peas
• Black-eyed Susan vine
• Ornamental gourds

Desert dwellers don't face the same obstacles in winter gardening that their northern compatriots face. Gardeners in warmer, arid climes should take advantage of an extended growing season. There are numerous plants for winter desert gardens, which will thrive in slightly cooler temperatures. Caring for desert plants that are in ground for year-round landscaping takes some special maintenance and attention. They may be exposed to colder temperatures and lessened solar heat and light. A few adjustments in your gardening strategy will help protect the desert winter garden.

Winter Gardening in Desert Climates

The extra heat and light of desert zones sound great to a cold-season gardener like me. However, desert environments have a widely fluctuating temperature during the winter which can cause stress on plants. The movement of the sun during the winter solstice brings diminished sunlight and less angled rays that produce less light than spring and summer sun exposure. On the plus side, freezing temperatures are not the norm and average daily temperatures are still warm enough to allow plants to grow, albeit slower. Rainfall is also limited on the desert winter garden, which means regular irrigation is a necessity. Installation site concerns such as slope, wind exposure, and soil type also need to be taken into consideration.

Winter Desert Gardening Specs

The desert winter garden is open to elements such as cold, wind, and extreme dryness. Evening temperatures do dip into the freezing level. Plant specimens close to the home or in valleys to protect plants from cold snaps and freezes. Dry soils hold cold better than moist soils. Consistent watering takes advantage of this rule by helping to warm the earth. Make sure any tender plants are located in a sheltered area to protect them from drying and damaging wind. Slopes are of particular concern, as they may be facing oncoming winds and moisture runs off of angled surfaces, creating even drier conditions. Winter gardening in desert climes still requires the satisfaction of basic needs. The soil in desert areas tends to be porous to gritty and an amendment with compost can improve the conservation of moisture and increase nutrient density.

Plants for Winter Desert Gardens

The longer growing season means the veggie gardener can play for an extended period of time and start plants earlier. Edible plants for winter desert gardening would include garlic, cool-season greens like kale, and many other root crops such as parsnips. During the day you can bring your seed flats outdoors to get used to solar rays but don't forget to bring them inside at night when temperatures dip. Native and dormant bare-root plants are fine if you install them on a warmer winter day and protect them for a couple of weeks from freezing. Pea bush, penstemon, golden barrel, and chuparosa are some native and introduced species that thrive in desert winters.

Caring for Desert Plants in Winter

Existing plants and those newly installed will benefit from protection from freezes. Watch the local weather report and get ready to act. All you need is some clear plastic or burlap, wood stakes, rope, or plant ties and a plan. Construct teepees over sensitive plants to protect them from the touch of cold. Even a simple row cover will help keep heat in at night. Water the plants regularly to warm and moisten the soil. Winter is also the perfect time to do some maintenance like light pruning, soil amendment, aerating, moving plants to new locations, and building new beds.

Just because you garden is in an area that has little rainfall does not mean that you are restricted to growing only foliage or green succulent plants. You can use xeriscape flowers in your garden. There are many drought resistant flowers that you can plant that will add some bright and lively color to the landscape. Let's look at some drought tolerant flowers you can grow.

Drought Resistant Flowers

Drought hardy flowers are flowers that will thrive in areas that receive little rainfall or areas with sandy soil where the water may drain away quickly. Of course, like all flowers, drought tolerant flowers are broken into two groups. There are annual dry area flowers and perennial dry area flowers. Annual Xeriscape Flowers Annual drought resistant flowers will die away each year. Some may reseed themselves, but for the most part, you will need to plant them every year. The advantage of annual drought tolerant flowers is that they will have many, many flowers all season long. Some annual drought hardy flowers include:

• Calendula
• California poppy
• Cockscomb
• Cosmos
• Creeping zinnia
• Dusty miller
• Geranium
• Globe amaranth
• Marigold
• Moss rose
• Petunia
• Salvia
• Snapdragon
• Spider flower
• Statice
• Sweet alyssum
• Verbena
• Zinnia

Perennial Xeriscape Flowers Perennial drought resistant flowers will come back year after year. While drought tolerant flowers are much longer lived than annuals, they normally have a shorter blooming time and may not bloom as much as the annuals would. Perennial drought hardy flowers include:

• Artemisia
• Asters
• Baby's breath
• Baptisia
• Beebalm
• Black-eyed Susan
• Blanket flower
• Butterfly weed
• Carpet bugle
• Chrysanthemum
• Columbine
• Coralbells
• Coreopsis
• Daylily
• Evergreen Candytuft
• Gerbera daisy
• Goldenrod
• Hardy ice plant
• Lamb's ears
• Lavender
• Liatris
• Lily of the Nile
• Mexican sunflower
• Purple Coneflower
• Red hot poker
• Salvia
• Sedum
• Shasta Daisy
• Verbascum
• Verbena
• Veronica
• Yarrow

By using xeriscape flowers you can enjoy lovely blooms without much water. Drought resistant flowers can add beauty to your water efficient, xeriscape garden.

When creating a garden, sometimes you don't have as much sunny space as you would like, especially if you have large trees on your property. You want to keep them for the cooling shade in the summer, but you still want a garden. What options do you have? Many would be surprised to discover the variety of xeriscape shade plants that are available. Dry shade plants come in a wide variety and can combine to make a wonderful garden.

Plants for Dry Shade

When selecting plants for dry shade, decide how much space you have, both on the ground and vertically. There are groundcover plants, as well as taller flowering and non-flowering plants. Using a variety of these xeriscape shade plants can lead to a beautiful garden. Some groundcover plants include:

• Bishop's cap
• Lily-of-the-valley
• Vinca minor vines

Other dry shade plants that add color with either wonderful flowers or interesting colored leaves are:

• Snowdrops
• Daffodils
• Bluebells
• Spotted dead nettles
• Lungwort

Some of these plants, like the daffodil, actually bloom before the trees are in full leaf, which can extend the time frame in which your garden can be enjoyed.

Shrubs for Dry Shade

There are quite a few shrubs for dry shade that make an a great addition to your xeriscape shade plants. Shrubs for dry shade garden areas make wonderful border plants. Some good choices for shade shrubs include the following:

• Black jetbead
• Gray dogwood
• Witch hazel
• Wild hydrangea
• Honeysuckles

Perennials for Dry Shade

Perennials for dry shade are also a good choice in xeriscape shade plants. Perennials are nice as many of them require little maintenance.

• Ferns are a wonderful dry shade plant in and come in a wide variety. A Christmas fern also gives a nice green touch to a garden year-round.
• English ivy is a lovely plant, however, it can take over any tree it is planted near.
• Japanese pachysandra is also a good choice.

After you have decided on your plants for dry shade, it is only a matter of time before you have a beautiful xeriscape. Dry shade plants make for a fairly low maintenance garden which can be enjoyed almost year-round if you plan properly.

When creating a drought tolerant garden, one of the more difficult soil types to come up with xeriscaping ideas for is clay soil. While drought tolerant perennials may be fine with a lack of water, when clay soil gets wet, the plants may also have to deal with too much water, as clay soil has poor drainage. With a little knowledge, you can have a drought tolerant garden even in clay soil.

Xeriscape Landscaping for Clay Soil

Amend the soil- No matter what you intend to do with your clay heavy garden, you should always work towards amending the soils by adding organic matter. When coming up with xeriscape landscape design ideas, this is even more important as this will make it easier to manage your drought tolerant landscape as the years progress. Plant clay and drought tolerant perennials- Planting drought tolerant perennials that are also happy growing in clay soil will guarantee a beautiful drought tolerant landscape. A few of these are:

• American Feverfew
• Blackberry Lily
• Black-Eyed Susan
• Columbine
• Daylily
• Feather Reed Grass
• Heavenly Bamboo
• Honeysuckle
• New England Aster
• Oxeye Daisy
• Perennial Flax
• Purple Coneflower
• Russian Sage
• Stonecrop
• Cranesbill

Use organic based mulch- Clay soil has a tendency to crack. When developing a drought tolerant landscape in clay soil, make sure to use an organic mulch. This will help to hide the cracks, will prevent moisture loss, and will break down over time, adding organic material to the soil below. When coming up with xeriscaping ideas for your drought tolerant garden in clay soil, you just need to dig a little deeper. There are plenty of drought tolerant perennials that can survive even the harshest clay soil conditions.

Oregon State University Extension reports that across the nation irrigation of landscapes accounts for one-third of water used, meaning less water for drinking, agriculture, or wildlife. Recent drought conditions across most of the country present major challenges, which requires us, as gardeners, to step up our water conservation efforts. Armed with an understanding of basic xeriscape principles, we can enjoy beautiful gardens without wasting valuable resources. Read on for water-wise gardening tips.

Basic Xeriscape Principles

Here are seven basic tips for water-wise xeriscaping:

1. Plan and design carefully for water conservation. Planning xeriscape designs requires careful consideration of many factors, including not only water requirements, but budget, function, aesthetics, and expected maintenance, both now and in the future.
2. Improve soil quality. Work towards a goal of soil that drains well while retaining adequate moisture to sustain plant life. Drought-tolerant plants require well-drained soil and won’t survive in soggy, poorly-drained soil. In many cases, improving soil means adding several inches (8 cm.) of organic material, such as compost or shredded bark, worked into the top 6 to 8 inches (15-20 cm.) of soil. Keep in mind, however, that some water-wise plants thrive in poor, dry, rocky soil.
3. Reduce turf grass and other water wasting plants. Planning xeriscape designs doesn’t mean you have to give up the idea of a lush, green lawn. However, because it demands huge amounts of water, lawns should be kept to a minimum and should consist of drought-tolerant grass appropriate for your area. Consider replacing part or all of your lawn with low-water groundcovers or other lawn alternatives, which are drought-tolerant and usually require little or no fertilizer, insecticides, or herbicides.
4. Select plants best-suited for your area. Take time to learn about choosing xeriscape plants or native plants that thrive in your particular location, as native plants are able to tolerate weather conditions better than exotic, non-native plants. Native plants also withstand pests and disease while attracting beneficial insects such as honeybees, ladybugs, and butterflies.
5. Water efficiently. Don’t overwater and use water wisely. For example, use a drip irrigation or soaker hose that directs moisture directly to plant roots. Water in the morning to prevent moisture loss through evaporation. Avoid wasteful sprinklers that produce a fine mist or fling water high into the air or onto your driveway or sidewalk. Water plants deeply and infrequently to develop long, healthy, drought-tolerant root systems. Avoid shallow watering, which creates shallow, thirsty roots.
6. Use mulch appropriately. Mulch, such as bark chips or compost, provides a number of benefits in a water-wise landscape, as 2 to 3 inches (5-8 cm.) or natural mulch can prevent evaporation, keep roots cool and moist, and prevent growth of weeds. Mulch also creates an attractive, natural appearance and returns nutrients to the soil. Be sure to replenish mulch as it decomposes or blows away.
7. Maintain the landscape properly. Xeriscaping requires careful planning but the result is an attractive, low-maintenance yard. However, no landscape is entirely maintenance free. Prune shrubs and trees when necessary. Deadhead flowers. Pull weeds. Rake plant debris to prevent disease and pests. Maintain a healthy compost pile.

Additional Water-Wise Gardening Tips

Don’t fertilize lawns or plants excessively, as fertilizer encourages rapid growth that demands more water. Consider alternative, more advanced ways of conserving water. For example, many gardeners in rainy climates are finding ways to incorporate rain barrels or rain gardens. It’s also possible to recycle gray water (household water from washing machines or showers). Take advantage of shady areas. Even areas with dappled light or partial shade require far less water than plants in hot, blazing sun. Similarly, plant wisely in windy areas where soil dries quickly.

If you're looking for a great way to conserve water in the garden, then xeriscaping may be the answer you've been looking for. You don't need to be a rocket scientist, you don't need a lot of space, and you don't need a lot of money to achieve a xeriscape effect in your garden. All you need are a few basic guidelines and some containers to get you started. In fact, container gardens can be a great alternative for people with little space and limited budgets. Containers are naturally water thrifty and available in a wide assortment that will fit nearly style or budget.

Choosing Containers for Your Xeriscaped Container Garden

When you begin choosing suitable containers for your garden, you should consider size and material carefully. Since container gardens are essentially self-contained, the larger they are the less watering is needed. For example, a larger pot holds a larger volume of soil, which in turn can store more moisture than a pot half its size. As for their material, plastic and glazed clay will retain water better than unglazed terra cotta or wood; however, as long as the container provides adequate drainage, nearly any type of container can be used.

Choosing Plants for Xeriscaping in Containers

When choosing plants for your xeriscape container garden, look for those that will provide seasonal interest. For instance, don't limit the garden to just flowering plants; there are many plants that can be used strictly for their interesting foliage color or texture. By choosing plants carefully, you can create a container garden that will not only last year after year but will be water efficient as well. There are a variety of plants that will accommodate containers, not to mention complement your xeriscape theme. Of course, not all plants are well suited to container gardens, but overall many plants not only thrive in containers but will tolerate hot, dry conditions as well. Some of these include annuals like:

• Marigolds
• Zinnias
• Salvia
• Verbenas

A number of perennials can be used in a xeriscape container garden such as:

• Artemisia
• Sedum
• Lavender
• Coreopsis
• Shasta daisy
• Liatris
• Yarrow
• Coneflower

There is even room for herbs and vegetables in the xeriscape container garden. Try growing oregano, sage, rosemary, and thyme. Vegetables actually do quite well in containers, especially the dwarf or bush varieties. There are also numerous ornamental grasses and succulents that perform nicely in containers as well.

Tips for Planting in Xeriscaping Containers

Growing plants in containers rather than the ground helps to conserve water as container-grown plants result in less water waste. Containers can also be moved around easily so if the weather gets too hot, just move the garden to a lightly shaded area to prevent the containers from drying out as quickly. Using the proper soil is also important. Don't use soil from the ground unless it has been thoroughly amended with compost beforehand; otherwise, this soil will become compacted, resulting in unhealthy plants. For longer-lasting blooms and increased water-holding capacity, try using an amended potting mix that provides a loose, airy environment for the plants. Once you've gotten all the basics covered, decide on where the garden will be placed. Generally, anywhere that receives at least 6 hours of full sun is enough, and many plants perform well with late, afternoon shade too. Try to stay clear of placing the container garden close to brick or concrete, as these tend to soak up heat and will ultimately cause your containers to overheat and dry up, requiring more frequent watering. The point of xeriscape is to reduce watering needs. Although the xeriscape container garden will use less water than similar plantings in the ground, depending on your particular climate, the size of the container, its placement and the plants selected, you may need to water them about once a day. However, if you stick with drought-tolerant plants in large containers receiving afternoon shade, this can be reduced to only every other day. To reduce the amount of watering needed even more, you can go another step further by using mulch. Mulch slows evaporative water loss from the surface and insulates the soil, thus retaining more water. Containers can also be more efficiently watered by using collected water from rain barrels. This not only saves money on your water bill, but natural rainwater is much healthier for your plants as it is full of minerals.

Xeriscape gardening is a good way to cut down on water usage while still having a beautiful, low-maintenance landscape. Keep reading for tips on creating a water-efficient garden.

Creating Water-Efficient Landscapes

Many people associate water-efficient landscapes with sand, gravel, cactus or scarce plantings, and a desert-looking appearance. On the contrary, a successful water-efficient garden is a balanced landscape that uses water efficiently and balances the lawn area, shrubs, and flowers with the surrounding hardscape. By applying a few simple guidelines, your lawn and garden can cope with drought conditions while minimizing water waste, as all too often water is applied inadequately, resulting in significant waste due to over watering, evaporation, or runoff. Another good way to cut down on watering is to reduce the size of your lawn. You can either plant more drought-tolerant ground covers or increase the size of your hardscapes, such as patios and decks, in place of traditional lawn grass. With a little planning, your lawn and garden can be both beautiful and water efficient.

Xeriscaping Ideas

Xeriscape gardening is the creative use of native plants that are beautiful, drought-tolerant, and sustainable. The key to successful xeriscaping is plenty of research and planning beforehand.

• Start by walking around your lawn to determine the best way to implement your xeriscape design. Think about how you want to use your space, and plan accordingly.
• Design for your site and your needs. Consider the specific conditions of your yard, taking into account that water requirements will differ in shady areas versus sunny spots as well as slopes, flat areas or depressions. Some places, such as narrow side yards, may be hard to water.
• Find out what type of soil you have and improve its water retention capabilities; for example, amend the soil with compost to improve its overall health.
• Group plants with similar water needs to make watering more efficient. Shrubs and perennials, for instance, should be grouped together in mulched beds.
• Size your lawn area to meet your practical needs for play and traffic. Choose plants that are well adapted to your climate and site conditions. In shady areas, use shade-tolerant plants or consider a woodland shade garden. In sunny spots, use drought-tolerant, sun-loving plants or consider a low-maintenance wildflower meadow. Drought-tolerant plants perform quite well on slopes. Consider using moisture-loving plants in lower areas of the lawn.
• Use mulch and an efficient irrigation system. Mulch helps retain moisture and eliminates the need for weeding. Organic mulches will also break down into the soil over time, further promoting its health by adding nutrients. One of the best methods of watering is drip irrigation or with the use of soaker hoses. These allow the water to slowly soak into the ground, reaching the plant roots and eliminating the need for constant watering.

If you have chosen the proper plants and designed your xeriscape accordingly, the end result will be a beautiful, water-efficient garden that your neighbors will envy.

There are plenty of common landscape problems that can tarnish the beauty of your yard, and almost every landscape has at least one problematic area. These problems range from something aesthetic, such as a rocky site or slope, to things that can affect the overall health of your landscape, like severe drought. So what is the best solution to handling them? When you encounter these problems, it is a good idea to fix them as soon as possible. More often than not all you need is to implement xeriscaping techniques. Effective xeriscape design solutions allow the landscape to work with its natural conditions rather than against them.

Xeriscape Plantings

Many people think of xeriscapes as merely cactus and rock gardens. The truth is that these types of landscape designs are very efficient and make interesting landscapes. Cacti come in many varieties and can be quite beautiful. Many cactus plants have lovely flowers. Cactus can add an interesting look to your landscape and distinction to your yard. There are different types of cactus plants, as well as succulents, that are great for xeriscaping. If a rocky area or slope is your problem, then perhaps a xeriscape rock garden design could be implemented as a landscape solution. Rock gardens are also excellent for xeriscape landscaping. They take up space that bushes and lawn would use but require less care. Additionally, rock gardens can look very interesting. There are many flowers, ornamental grasses, small shrubs, and groundcovers that can grow in the midst of your rock garden. Be sure to choose hardy plants, preferably native plants, which can tolerate living in close proximity to the rocks. Just because xeriscape is about conserving water does not mean that your landscape has to be all cactus and rock gardens. In fact, you can combine these with more traditional landscape plants. Although xeriscaping is associated with drought-plagued areas, you shouldn't underestimate the benefits this type of gardening practice can bring to landscapes far removed from desert-like conditions. Xeriscaping can save both time and money in the long run simply by incorporating low-maintenance, drought-tolerant plants into your landscape and grouping these plants together with those requiring similar irrigation needs. Xeriscaping is the act of landscaping using plants that do not need a great deal of water. Therefore, it is possible to create and maintain a landscape using xeriscape principles with more traditional flowers. The key is to carefully choose your plants and use water more efficiently. Some plants that are excellent in most xeriscapes are perennials, ornamental grasses, vines, shrubs, and groundcovers. The use of native plants in your xeriscape landscape design is essential in having a landscape that is not too high maintenance and one that conserves water.

How to Water Your Xeriscape

Efficient use of water can help your plants become part of the xeriscape. If you water wisely, you can help your plants become stronger, utilize the moisture better, and consequently withstand drought more efficiently. Instead of frequent shallow watering, water occasionally and deeply. The water will soak into the soil reaching the roots rather than evaporate or run off. Applying mulch can also help the soil retain moisture. Xeriscaping is an easy, effective alternative to some of the most basic landscape problems.

Most gardeners understand and implement the important elements required for successful landscape planning and design. However, when the design also focuses on xeriscape principles, the need for some of these elements, such as water, will be decreased. The xeriscape planning and design process should not only organize landscape ideas but also identify the specific needs of the plants the gardener wants to use. The best way to accomplish a xeriscape design, as with any other design, is through careful planning and forethought.

Planning Your Xeriscape Design

Here are some things to consider when planning your xeriscape design:

Take notes of problem areas

Take a walk along your property and survey the landscape. Observe and take note of areas that are especially difficult to water and maintain. These areas could include sites such as steep slopes, corners or narrow strips of lawn, rocky areas, and water or drought-prone locations. Steep slopes, especially those on south and west exposures, waste water through runoff and evaporation. Drip irrigation that slowly applies water over longer periods of time may minimize runoff. Another idea is to convert these areas to perennials or ground covers that tolerate the exposure and thrive on little water. They are also easier to maintain.

Manage lawn size

Try to size areas of the lawn accordingly. Irregularly shaped areas should be re-shaped to fit irrigation patterns and converted to drip irrigated xeric plantings or hardscape. High-traffic areas in the yard are best left to turf grasses, such as bluegrass, that can take the wear. Xeric grasses, such as buffalo grass, have less wear tolerance but survive on less water. These types of grasses are best suited for low-traffic areas of the lawn. Other lesser-used areas, however, can be easily transformed into shrub borders, flower gardens, and non-turf ground covers that use less water. Designated paths can be implemented with the use of stepping stones or flagstones, with a dwarf ground cover planted among the stones if desired. Look for lawn areas that do poorly because of heavy shade from trees or structures. Rather than keep these areas in traditional lawn grass, plant shade-tolerant grasses or ground covers that tolerate shade. Alternatively, you could incorporate a patio or deck in these areas as well. Rocky areas of the landscape are easy to fix. These areas can be transformed into beautiful rock garden designs. There are a number of plants that can be successfully grown in rock gardens. As for both water and drought-prone areas of the lawn, consider incorporating your plantings in raised beds. These beds should have an informal planting style with a mixture of drought-resistant shrubs, trees, and flowers. This mixture lessens the competition between individual plants and helps ensure that something in the bed is always looking good. The use of planting beds also makes it possible to incorporate organic matter into the soil before planting, promoting healthier soil and healthier plants.

Choose appropriate plants

The best xeriscape designs include both native and drought-tolerant plants. These should always be grouped together according to their specific watering needs. Plants that are less drought-hardy, for example, need to be confined to another location of the landscape with other relative plants. The idea is to lessen the need for watering, therefore, you only water what needs to be watered. You should also include some method of drip irrigation in your design plan. Soaker hoses are ideal for watering your garden as they tend to allow water to thoroughly soak into the ground rather than running off as is the case for most sprinkler systems. There are many ways you can design your xeriscape garden. You don't need to feel limited to planting only a few types of plants. Xeriscape gardens can be designed in many styles such as Mediterranean or Southwest gardening styles. Select the style most suitable to your landscape conditions to achieve a greater effect. If you choose plants wisely and practice good xeriscape principles, no matter what kind of design you have chosen, you will have a beautiful, thriving xeriscape garden to be proud of.

Generally, when people say xeriscaping, the image of stones and arid environments comes to mind. There are numerous myths associated with xeriscaping; however, the truth is that xeriscaping is a creative landscaping technique that uses low-maintenance, drought-tolerant plants grouped together to form natural looking landscapes that conserve energy, natural resources, and water.

Myth #1 - Xeriscaping is All About Cacti, Succulents, & Gravel

The most common myth is the idea that cacti, succulents, and gravel mulch are considered xeriscaping. However, this is not true. In fact, the overuse of gravel can actually increase the temperature around plants, resulting in even more water use. Instead, organic mulches, like bark, can be used. These types of mulch will actually retain water. As for the use of cacti and succulents only in xeriscapes, there are numerous plants available, from annuals and perennials to grasses, shrubs, and trees that will thrive in a xeriscape setting. Another misconception is that xeriscapes use native plants only. Again, although native plants are recommended and tolerate conditions to a particular climate easier, there are numerous types of plants that are well adapted for use in xeriscape landscapes.

Myth #2 - Xeriscape Gardens are Really Only Rock Gardens

People also mistakenly believe that xeriscapes have to be limited to one particular style, such as the rock garden. In fact, xeriscapes can be found in any style. Although rock gardens can be implemented, there are an unlimited number of other choices with regard to xeriscape designs. There are lush tropical xeriscapes, fascinating Mediterranean desert xeriscapes, Rocky Mountain xeriscapes, woodland xeriscapes, or formal and informal xeriscapes. You can have a xeriscape design and still be creative.

Myth #3 - You Can't Have a Lawn With Xeriscaping

Another myth is that xeriscape means no lawns. First of all, there is no 'zero' in xeriscape, and lawns in a xeriscape garden are well planned and carefully placed. In fact, existing lawns may be reduced and new lawns may implement one of the many alternative types of turf to include native grasses, which are less demanding of water. Instead, think less lawn, not lawn-less. Xeriscaping is simply a better alternative to water-hungry lawns and annuals, especially in areas where arid summers are typical. Not only do these landscapes survive with significantly less irrigation, they harmonize with the natural landscape.

Myth #4 - Xeriscapes are Non-Water Landscapes

Xeriscape means only dry landscaping and no water. Again, this is not true. The term 'xeriscape' focuses on water conservation through water-efficient landscaping. Appropriate irrigation methods and water-harvesting techniques are an integral part of this concept. Water is an essential part of the survival of all plants. They will die more quickly from lack of moisture than from any other nutrient deficiency. Xeriscaping refers to the design of landscapes and gardens that minimize the requirements for water, not eliminating them.

Myth #5 - Xeriscaping is Expensive and Hard to Maintain

Some people are misguided into the assumption that xeriscapes cost too much to build and maintain. In fact, xeriscapes can cost far less both to build and maintain than traditional landscaping. A good water-wise landscape can be designed to avoid expensive automatic irrigation as well as weekly mowing maintenance. Many xeriscape designs need little or no maintenance. Others may think xeriscapes are difficult, but xeriscaping is not difficult. In fact, it can be easier than traditional landscaping. Trying to create a manicured lawn on a rocky site is far more difficult than creating an attractive rock garden on the same site. There are even those who think that xeriscapes need more water to get started. In fact, many low-water or drought-tolerant plants need only be watered when first planted. Overall, most parts of xeriscapes require less than half the water of established, high-water landscapes, even during the first year. The truth about xeriscaping may actually surprise you. This easy, low-cost, low-maintenance alternative to traditional landscaping can be every bit as beautiful and even better for the environment.

Xeriscaping is the art of creating a landscape that lives in harmony with a surrounding dry environment rather than in spite of it. Many times when someone first discovers the idea of xeriscaping, they think that it should have vast amount of gravel incorporated into it. This is just not true. Xeriscaping is meant to help a homeowner work with existing native plants to create a water-wise landscape, not remove plants completely from the picture.

Gravel in the Landscape

Too much gravel in the landscape may not be wise. There are many reasons why large amounts of gravel are not an ideal addition to a xeriscaped yard. The first is that gravel tends to reflect rather than absorb the heat in these areas. The reflected heat will add stress to the plants that are planted in the graveled area. The second reason is that gravel may harm your xeriscape by working its way into the soil. A gravel heavy soil can harm future plantings and make it difficult for you, the homeowner, to add plants to your landscape in the future. The only option you have to prevent the gravel from working into the ground is an undercovering of some kind such as plastic. This, however, will in turn keep water and nutrients from getting into the soil- also harming your landscape plantings. Another reason not to use large amounts of gravel in a xeriscaped landscape is that what heat is not reflected from the surface of the gravel will be absorbed by it and then released long after the sun has gone down. This will have the effect of continually baking the roots of any plants that are planted within these gravel areas.

Alternatives to Gravel

In xeriscaping though, you do have alternatives to gravel. One of those alternatives is to just use traditional organic mulch such as wood mulch. Organic mulches will absorb the heat and safely pass it through to the underlying soil. This will have the overall effect of keeping the soil temperature at a constant, cooler level. Also, the organic mulch will eventually break down and add to the nutrients of the soil, while still allowing water and other nutrients to find their way into the soil. Plant alternatives can be used too. Drought tolerant ground cover, such as Turkish veronica or creeping thyme will help keep moisture in the soil while suppressing weeds. They also add a nice green backdrop to surrounding plants. So, you see, despite the idea that gravel is a part of the xeriscaping landscape, the uses of it can be more harmful than helpful. You are far better off using some other alternative of mulching in your xeriscaped landscape instead.

Unfortunately, much of the water dispersed through sprinklers and hoses by enthusiastic gardeners evaporates before it ever reaches its intended source. For this reason, drip irrigation is preferred and works especially well for xeriscape environments.

Though the boundary between sprinklers and drip irrigation has blurred with advancements in micro-irrigation to include spray stakes, most irrigation systems are easy to install and modify. Let's take a look at proper irrigation practices that will save water.

Using Drip Irrigation Systems

Drip irrigation kits are available at most garden centers. They allow you to water plants separately with emitters, or water groups of plants with micro-spray stakes or tapes that ooze water along their entire length. You can enlarge the system as plants grow or as new plants are added. Drip irrigation is excellent for home use and easy to install. This highly efficient watering method consists of a system of nozzles that deliver small quantities of water at low pressure directly to where it does the most good, at the root zones of plants.

Using drip irrigation can save 30 to 70 percent of the water used by overhead sprinkler systems. Consider a drip system for outlying shrub borders and raised planters, around trees and shrubs, and in narrow strips where conventional above-ground systems would result in water waste.

Low-volume application of water to plant roots maintains a desirable balance of air and water in the soil. Plants grow better with this favorable air-water balance and even soil moisture. Water is applied frequently at low flow rates with the goal of applying only the amount of water the plants need.

A soaker hose is a rubber hose with perforations or holes. It is most effective when it lies on top or slightly below soil level and mulch is placed over the soil and hose. You can install the hose in the spring and leave it in place all season. Use a drip irrigation system or soaker hose in gardens that need the most water, such as vegetables.

Drip irrigation delivers water slowly and immediately above, on, or below the surface of the soil. This minimizes water loss due to runoff, wind, and evaporation.

Drip irrigation can be operated during windy periods as well. Adaptable and changeable over time, drip systems can be easily expanded to irrigate additional plants if water is available.

Regular maintenance inspections are needed to maintain system effectiveness just as with high-pressure sprinkler systems. During the growing season, periodically check and clean emitters for proper operation. Flush the system thoroughly after a break and repair it to avoid emitter clogging.

Improving Existing Sprinkler Irrigation Systems

If a sprinkler system is already installed, check it for overall coverage. Avoid frequent, shallow sprinklings that lead to shallow root development.

Compact soils result in puddling and water runoff. If areas are not properly covered or water is falling on driveways and patios, adjust the system. This may mean changing heads to do a more efficient job.

Bubblers are devices that emit higher flows of water in a circular pattern. They are useful for irrigating larger plants, such as roses and other shrubs, and for filling basins around newly planted trees or shrubs.

Micro-sprays emit large droplets or fine streams of water just above the ground. They are available with nozzles in full, half, and quarter circle patterns that wet diameters varying from 18 inches (45.5 cm.) to 12 feet (4 m.). These devices are low-pressure but share characteristics with high-pressure sprinklers. Bear in mind, however, that sprinkler irrigation results in a greater wet-to-dry fluctuation in the soil and may not produce optimal growth results.

Proper Irrigation Practices for Small Gardens

If your garden is small, use a hose to apply water slowly at the base of each plant, avoiding the leaves and foliage. Creating small basins around each plant helps to concentrate water at the plant's roots. Watering by hand is most effective when there are basins to fill up. New plantings need rapid, deep watering that is best done by hand. Once the soil has settled around new plants, the drip system can maintain moisture.

Irrigate turf areas differently than shrub borders and flower beds. North and east exposures need less frequent watering than south and west exposures. Apply water to slopes more slowly than to flat surfaces. Examine these closely and correct problems in your irrigation system design.

Proper irrigation practices can lead to major water savings. The best way to accomplish this is through the use of drip irrigation or soaker hose methods.

Xeriscaping is the process of choosing plants that are compatible with the water conditions of a given area. Since many herbs are native to the hot, dry, rocky regions of the Mediterranean they are perfectly suited for a xeriscape design. The point is to minimize the amount of watering in your herb garden by approximately 30 to 80%. Xeriscaping is a valuable gardening alternative no matter where your garden is located. The best designs often incorporate vegetables and herbs intermingled with native wildflowers.

Herbs for Xeriscaping

Many herbs thrive in hot, arid conditions and are great for xeriscaping. Consider some drought-hardy herbs when planning your xeriscape herb garden. These may include:

• Bee balm
• Lavender
• Marjoram
• Yarrow
• Sweet alyssum
• Oregano
• Thyme
• Rosemary
• Russian sage
• Lamb's ears

Herbs are plants for all seasons and situations. Herbs are a great asset in a landscape designed for low-water use. Most herbs bloom profusely throughout the summer season with very little water.

Vegetable Plants for Xeriscaping

Research heirloom vegetable plants. Learn what used to be grown before the advent of plumbing. There are many vegetables out there that will love your xeriscape climate. Contact your local agricultural extension agency and ask for lists of plants they suggest for your area. For vegetables that may not adapt as easily to drier conditions, take plastic containers with a few holes drilled in the bottom and bury them at the base of the plants just enough that the tops are still sticking out. Use these for watering. They will remain full for longer periods, reducing your need for continual watering. Check them occasionally to prevent your vegetables from drying out and fill them as needed. Consider growing plants that avoid the drought season. For instance, many vegetable plants have a fast growth cycle and produce crops well before the heat of summer arrives. Plants finished before drought conditions become severe include:

• Onions
• Broccoli
• Cabbage
• Spinach
• Radish
• Beets
• Leaf lettuce

Many of these vegetables are such fast growers that they can be planted again in the fall. In the summer, grow drought-tolerant plants. Unbeknownst to many, there are actually a lot of vegetable plants that have excellent drought tolerance. Vegetables such as the following continue to produce even in dry weather:

• Southern peas
• Okra
• Sweet potatoes
• Muskmelons

Combine vegetables and herbs. For instance:

• Place tomatoes with basil, horehound, dill, parsley, or sage.
• Try planting peppers with sweet marjoram.
• Plant squash with borage.
• Turnips and thyme do well together.
• Cucumbers enjoy growing next to lemon balm.

You can also include other drought-tolerant or native plants in your vegetable-herb garden for additional interest. For example, native wildflowers such as purple coneflower, black-eyed Susan, butterfly weed, and verbena provide color in even the driest of weather. With careful planning, it is possible to have a thriving herb or vegetable garden in a xeriscape environment. There are numerous types of herbs and vegetables that can be successfully incorporated into these water-thrifty landscapes. Perhaps the best way to accomplish this is through the use of raised beds. These make watering easier and allow for looser soil, which enables the roots of plants to reach deep into the ground and better resist drought-like conditions.

Plants that naturally survive in your area are the ones best adapted to your soil, climate and rainfall. By selecting plants that either avoid or tolerate dry conditions, a beautiful, thriving landscape can be made possible.

Why Choose Drought-tolerant Landscaping?

Drought-tolerant plants survive long periods of drought by storing water internally or by developing extensive root systems that sink deep into the soil. Many drought-tolerant plants have additional protection through a waxy coating that reduces evaporation or hairs on the leaf surface, which reflects some of the light thereby insulating the plant. Most plants that tolerate drought use several of these features to survive on low amounts of precipitation.

Native plants often are considered more drought tolerant than exotic landscape plants. However, there are also many exotic plants adapted to use in the xeriscape environment. The use of drought-tolerant plants will reduce time and money spent on irrigation. Many of these plants are also tolerant of poor to average soils. Some even prefer poor soils.

Flowers and Plants That Tolerate Drought

While cacti and succulents may have a place in some drought-tolerant gardens, they are not the only alternatives. There are numerous plants found in most landscapes that survive periods of drought. Placing these plants in the garden reduces the need to supply extra water during periods of inadequate rainfall.

• A popular choice for drought-tolerant perennials is sedum, also known as stonecrop. Sedum and many other succulent plants are not only tolerant of drought but favorites in rock gardens.
• Coreopsis and coneflowers are valued for their long blooming periods as well as their drought-resistant properties. These will also tolerate a wide range of soils.
• Lamb's ears provide wonderful texture in rock gardens and spread easily. It is typically grown for its silvery foliage, which has a velvety texture. Because of its velvet-like texture, lamb's ear is very drought tolerant.
• There are numerous types of African daisies that can grow most anywhere and all are very drought tolerant.

Other types of flowers that thrive in arid conditions include:

• Dianthus
• Verbena
• Ageratum
• Marigold
• Ajuga
• Aster
• Gaillardia blanket flower
• Daylily
• Lavender
• Zinnia
• Yucca
• Russian Sage
• Yarrow
• False Sunflower
• Anise Hyssop
• Ornamental Allium
• Bee Balm
• Meadow Sage
• Catmint
• Black-Eyed Susan
• False Indigo
• Milkweed
• Liatris
• Penstemon
• Spotted Deadnettle
• Goldenrod
• Lily of the Nile
• Red hot poker
• Verbena
• Mullein
• Columbine
• Speedwell
• Artichoke thistle
• Shasta Daisy

A number of bulbs, such as irises, alliums, and daffodils, will also do well in dry areas, as most of them go dormant during the summer.

Don't forget to include drought tolerant shrubs, trees, and vines as well. There are a variety of native shrubs and trees that are tolerant of drought as well as those from other areas. For instance, spirea can be used as an ornamental accent in a rock garden or as a low border along a walk or drive. These shrubs are drought tolerant and beautiful. Spirea is also easy to care for in the garden. Another drought-tolerant shrub you can grow nearly anywhere is viburnum. This shrub can be found in many varieties, provides year-round interest and is easy to care for.

Heat-resistant trees for the landscape can include:

• Crepe myrtle
• Locust
• Lilac
• Dogwood

Flowering vines that would add vertical interest to a drought tolerant landscape would include:

• Wisteria
• Bougainvillea
• Trumpet Vine
• Honeysuckle
• Silver Lace Vine

Drought-tolerant Lawns

From the standpoint of water use, the lawn is the largest and most demanding portion of the landscape. For maximum water use efficiency, lawn size should be limited as much as possible. Bermuda grass, a native of the drylands of Africa, is very drought tolerant. It will go dormant during the summer and revive when rains return in the fall. Once established, this grass will survive without supplemental watering.

You can also consider using drought-tolerant ornamental grasses within the landscape. A few of the choices available include:

• Maiden grass
• Blue fescue
• Wheatgrass
• Pampas grass
• Little Bluestem Grass

There are many types of plants that will survive arid-like conditions. While most of these may be native to your area, others can be found in some of the most unlikely of places. To find the best drought-tolerant plants for your garden, perform some research or check with your local extension office for ideas. You might be amazed at what you'll find. There are actually numerous plants that will grow in nearly any landscape and are tolerant of heat too.

Do you want to protect your lawn and garden from the threat of drought? Would you prefer to have a more manageable landscape? Do you like to save money? Then you should consider implementing drought-tolerant gardening practices. This will not only wipe out the threat of losing your garden to drought but is much easier to maintain as well. Many people are wary of drought-tolerant gardening, or xeriscaping, because they're concerned about the cost. With proper planning, you can incorporate a drought-tolerant landscape for very little money. In fact, it may even turn out to be a cheaper alternative than traditional landscaping.

Drought Tolerant Lawns

Where should you start? Reducing the size of your lawn can benefit your landscape, saving you time, energy, and expense. Why not take a long look at your lawn and start considering cheaper alternatives to traditional turf. Did you know that there are many drought-resistant alternatives to lawn grasses?

• One alternative to traditional grass is clover. Clover stays green even in the driest part of summer. Clover rarely has to be mowed, but when it does, it mows well. Clover will easily fill in bare spots, it's soft to walk on, free of weeds, pest-free, and aerates the soil.
• You can also convert part of your lawn to ornamental grasses. These are low maintenance and grow well in most soils. Ornamental grasses are drought resistant as well.
• Another option is drought-tolerant, perennial groundcovers. These plants spread across the ground, providing full coverage, but do not grow tall, thereby, cutting out the need for mowing and other maintenance.

Drought Tolerant Landscaping

Drought-tolerant planting beds can be strategically located in the landscape. Drought-tolerant plants include various succulents, rock garden plantings, native shrubs and trees, wildflowers, and ornamental grasses. Choose your plants carefully for the best effect. Start by looking around your home and notice what types of plants are growing. Some of the most drought-tolerant plants also happen to be those which are native to your area. These not only look great but cost little, especially if you already have some growing on your property. Keep plant selection simple. A few varieties can make a bigger impact with less cost and effort. Once you have selected the plants for your drought-tolerant landscape, you're ready to purchase them. However, in an attempt to stretch your dollars even more, there are some things you can do to make this possible.

• Don't always look for the biggest plants; buy smaller ones instead. These are much less expensive than the larger plants and once the garden is established, no one will ever be the wiser.
• Another trick to saving money on those drought-tolerant plants is to check out home improvement and discount department stores for xeric perennials, like sedums and ornamental grasses.
• If you have friends and neighbors, or even family members, that garden, chances are they may have just the right plant for your drought-tolerant garden, many of which can be easily started from cuttings. Ask them if they have an overabundance of these plants or if you can take a cutting from one. More often than not, they're happy to oblige your endeavors.
• You should also consider growing plants from seeds. This is one of the least expensive ways to go. Of course, the seedlings won't pop up overnight, but the savings will be worth the wait.

Creating a drought-tolerant landscape is easy and will wind up being more cost-effective in the long run. You will have fewer maintenance chores and fewer watering requirements. You will also wipe out the worries associated with the threat of drought.

Every year millions of gardening magazines and catalogs travel through the mail to locations all over the world. The covers of almost all of them feature a lush and beautiful garden. Gardens that are brightly green and very water intensive. This type of garden is fine for a great many gardeners unless you happen to live in a climate that sees very little in the way of rainfall. In dry climates, you would need to water such gardens deeply and almost everyday. However, xeriscaped landscapes can remedy this. Keep reading to learn more.

Reducing Water Needs with Xeriscape Gardening

Watering can become an even bigger issue when faced with the fact that many areas in dry climates already have some serious water rights and conservation issues. So what is a good gardener to do? All these magazines and catalogs make you believe that your garden should look a certain way, filled with green and exotic plants that need to be tended and coddled. If you follow that stereotype though, you are helping to support some pretty serious environmental problems. These days, there has been a revolution in the gardening world. Gardeners in areas that are not within "traditional" climates have put their feet down and said, No More! Many of these gardeners are chucking the traditional magazine image of a garden for ones filled with native and local climate-friendly plants. In drier, water limited climates, this style of gardening is xeriscaping.

What is Xeriscaping?

Xeriscaping is the art of taking plants that need little water and using them in your landscape. The plants frequently used are succulents, cacti, and grasses incorporated with a fair amount of hardscaping that best accents the plantings. Xeriscape gardening does take a little bit for the eye to get use to, especially if the eye is use to looking at lush green landscapes frequently seen in magazines and on TV. However, if one took a few moments to study xeriscaped landscapes, then he/she would come to appreciate the diversity and beauty that exists there. Plus, the xeriscaped gardener can enjoy the satisfaction of knowing that the landscape is much more suited to the natural environment. Xeriscaping has benefits beyond just being environmentally friendly. There is both a cost and energy savings benefit. A xeriscape gardener will spend less on replacing plants that die because they are not suited to the local climate and spend less energy pampering and watering non-native plants. This creates a much more enjoyable, low-maintenance garden. So, if you live in a high heat, low-water climate, you should seriously consider moving your garden towards the xeriscaping ideology. With xeriscaped landscapes, you will enjoy your garden more, and your water bills won't look near as frightening.