Many of our customers ask what is Xeriscape landscaping and is it the right decision for my yard? For many homeowners that are looking for a low-maintenance landscape that requires little irrigation, Xeriscape is the perfect solution. Xeriscape is a term that means “dry landscape” and refers to utilizing drought-tolerant plants, rock and mulch as opposed to large areas of turf grass that require continuous maintenance and irrigation. Even with the best maintenance program, disease or drought conditions as we are experiencing in our area now can have a negative impact on many of the varieties of turf grass. When I used to hear the term “Xeriscape”, I would think about traveling through states like Arizona where many of the houses had all rock and very few plants throughout their front yards and looked very bland. Xeriscape landscapes don’t have to be plain; they can involve repositioning the dirt to give the area a multi-level but more natural look, adding large boulders with striking features, or adding complementing plants at different heights that offer a variety of colors and textures. To begin creating your Xeriscape design, think about the colors of rock and mulch that are complimentary to your home. We recommend using natural mulch such as pine bark, cypress, or eucalyptus and recommend staying away from dyed mulch products. Next you will want to consider the different plants for your location. We have several recommendations for low-maintenance options that will thrive with little-to-no additional irrigation.
Agaves With over 200 species to choose from, Agaves are succulents that are a great option for low irrigation landscapes. These slow-growing plants tend to have sharp spikes along the leaves which reduces the chance of predators. Some Agaves can grow quite large, reaching 6-10 feet tall; others will stay small and might reach a mature height of 6-12 inches. When selecting spaces for your agave plants, keep their mature height in mind so that the plant will have plenty of room to grow. If you have a large space to fill, check out the Century Plant or Agave Americana, which comes in a bluish-gray or a variegated option. This impressive plant needs very little water and will send up a flower stalk 20-40 feet high at the end of its lifespan of 20-30 years. The Caribbean agave is a great option for a smaller space that can grow 5-6 ft tall with a similar width. This variegated plant is a dense ball with sharp foliage offering year-round color. The elegant Blue Glow agave is a great option for small areas as this plant grows about 1-2 feet high with a similar or slightly larger spread. The golden and red lines that run along the outside of the leaves look gorgeous when backlit by the sun, adding color and unique flair to your landscape. Most agaves will produce pups which can be separated and planted in new places or replace older plants once they reach the end of their lifespan. Flowering plants There are several great options to add vibrant colors with drought-resistant plants that will produce flowers all summer long. Purslane is a terrific option for a sunny area with little water, this low-lying plant is completely edible and will produce gorgeous blooms all summer long. Vinca or Periwinkle is a great choice for adding pops of color and can grow to fill a large area. These flowers quickly grow to 2-3 feet high with a similar spread and do best in areas with good drainage and little irrigation. Cheer up your landscape with Beach Sunflower that will add bursts of yellow blooms throughout the year. This flower can grow to about 2 feet high, is great for attracting pollinators, and is drought-tolerant once established. Crown of Thorns is a great choice for sunny locations that require very little water and will offer red, pink, yellow or white blooms all year long. Powderpuff Mimosa is a native groundcover option that is low-lying and will produce puffy pink flowers that are wonderful for attracting butterflies and other pollinators. Unique Succulents There are several succulents that are easy to grow and do well in areas with little-to-no irrigation. Yuccas offer a variety of shapes and sizes, very similar to agaves with sharp, pointy leaves that grow with little water and can tolerate salt spray. Check out the Fire Pencil Plant or regular pencil plant for a unique succulent that requires very little attention. There are many options for different cacti that do well in our area that are low-maintenance and thrive under dry conditions. The Dragon Fruit or Prickly Pear are great selections for blooming cacti that produce edible fruit. The Desert Rose is a perfect option for sunny locations that will offer showy blooms and require little maintenance or water throughout the year. Clusia is another succulent that can be grown into a hedge, as a tree, shrub or obtain the dwarf variety for a small space. A Xeriscape landscape can be colorful and unique with the variety of plant options we have available in our area of Florida. If you don’t have irrigation or time to consistently water plants that need a lot of attention, choosing plants that thrive with little attention and are drought resistant can help keep your landscape looking vibrant all year round with little effort. Utilizing a mixture of rock, mulch, boulders and native ground cover can help save costs and produce a vibrant display of colors and textures with very little maintenance and irrigation. If you need assistance creating your Xeriscape design, give us a call or text and we can schedule an onsite consultation to help you choose the best plants for your location and preferences.
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AuthorPlant and Flower enthusiast who enjoys creating Florida-Friendly landscape designs. Archives
January 2025
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