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Are you interestedin creating an attractiveenvironmentally friendlylandscape while reducingyour water andmaintenance requirements?Do you want a beautifulyard, garden, school,park, or parking area?Try a Xeriscape™ withnative plants!

What is Xeriscape™?Xeriscape (pronounced zeer-i-scape) is derived from the Greek word,xeros, meaning “dry.” It’s the wise use of water through water-efficientlandscaping. The word Xeriscape conjures up visions of a dry,

Whether you’re a newcomer to the northern Great Plains and RockyMountains or you just want fresh, new landscaping ideas, this booklet willhelp you select and grow native plants that are naturally adapted and willthrive for years under our extreme environmental conditions. The goal ofthis booklet is to provide an overview of native landscaping principles andpractices. It integrates the principles of several conservation initiativessuch as reduced water, energy, and chemical usage; wildlife habitatenhancement; and invasive weed management. Native plant, in thecontext of this booklet, means native to the United States.

Why is Native Landscaping Importantto You and the Semiarid West?

In this photo: Urban Xeriscape with nativeplants in summer foliage: staghorn sumac,horizontal and common juniper, westernmountain ash, aspen, skunkbush sumac,rose, shrubby cinquefoil, ponderosa pine.

Table of Contents

Why is Native Landscaping Important to You and the Semiarid West? .. 1Planning............................................................................ 2Design .............................................................................. 3Site Preparation .................................................................. 4Choosing the Right Grasses and Wildflowers ................................ 5Choosing the Right Trees and Shrubs ......................................... 6Grasses ............................................................................. 7Wildflowers ....................................................................... 9Trees and Shrubs ................................................................ 10Water Conservation ............................................................. 12Maintenance ..................................................................... 13Plant Protection ................................................................. 14“To Do” List ...................................................................... 15About this Publication ............................................... Back Cover

Why is Native Landscaping Important to You and the Semiarid West?

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7 Principles of Xeriscape

1. Plan and Design Comprehensively2. Improve Soil with Amendments3. Reduce Lawn Areas4. Use Appropriate Plants and

Group According to Water/Environmental Needs

5. Irrigate Efficiently6. Use Mulches7. Maintain Your Landscape

Comparisons of traditionallandscapes and Xeriscapeshave shown that up to 50percent savings can beachieved in water usagealone. Other studies indicatepotential savings of nearly30 percent in maintenanceand labor, 61 percent infertilizers, 44 percent in fueland 22 percent in herbicidesand pesticides (At Home withXeriscape ©, XeriscapeColorado, Inc).

Creating Native Landscapes in the Northern Great Plains and Rocky Mountains

In many parts of the West,where rainfall is scarce,landscaping accounts for halfof all residential waterconsumption. Outdoorlandscaping offers the singlebiggest opportunity for watersavings to a typical Americanfamily. That's because mostpeople pour a lot more wateron their greenery than itreally needs. In fact, it isestimated that 85 percent ofall landscape problems arecaused by over watering(A Consumers Guide to WaterConservation©, 1993 AmericanWater Works Association).

Yucca: this evergreen plant bringsa bold, dramatic touch to a drylandscape. American Indians usedthe leaves to make baskets and theroots to produce soap.

Narrow grass strips (left) too often result in watering pavement as wellas grass. A water-efficient, low maintenance alternative treatment(right) features juniper and western mountain ash.

Lupine.

Golden currant: berries used for jelly making.

Xeriscape and Native Plant Benefits

Cottontail rabbit.

Big bluestem: fall color.

Aesthetic

• Increased Year-Round Visual Interest • Increased Urban Wildlife Viewing • Encouraged Link with Nature • Enhanced Quality of Life

Economic

• Lower Water and Maintenance Costs • Enhanced Real Estate Values • Increased Survivability of Plantings • Edible and/or

Decorative Products

Environmental

• Improved Water and Soil Conservation • Reduced Use of Petroleum Products • Improved Air Quality/Carbon

Sequestration • Enhanced Urban Wildlife Habitat • Reduced Water Contamination

desert-like landscape when,in fact, its focus is how to land-scape appropriately in areas withseasonal water supply shortages.Denver Water holds the trademarkon the term and has developed7 Xeriscape Principles.