Xeriscape Landscaping High Water, Low Water and No Water David Hillock Assist. Extension Specialist Department of Horticulture & Landscape Architecture Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service
Xeriscape History Denver water department - 1978 Reduce irrigation Based on sound horticultural principles Also known as water-wise TM, water efficient, watersaver
Xeriscape - What is it? Xeri - scape Pronounced zeri-scape xeri = dry scape = vista Quality landscaping that conserves water and protects the environment.
Misconception #1: Xeriscape means rocks and yucca, or cactus and gravel
Misconception #2: Xeriscape means no lawns.
Misconception #3: Xeriscape means dry landscaping only.
Seven fundamentals 1. Plan and design 2. Consider improving the soil 3. Use appropriate plants and zone the landscape 4. Create practical turf areas 5. Consider using mulches 6. Irrigate efficiently 7. Maintain the landscape appropriately
Plan & Design Begin with a wellthought-out design
Plan & Design Start with a site analysis... Assess factors that influence water as well as good or bad views
Plan & Design... and inventory Existing structures, trees, shrubs, and turf areas, etc.
Plan & Design Consider- Budget, Appearance, Function, Maintenance, Water needs
Plan & Design Refer to local resources
Xeriscape Demonstration Garden Bickham-Rudkin Park, Edmond
Plan & Design
Plan & Design
Plan & Design Hard surfaces and the use of heat barriers Shade Organic materials Fences or hedges Control air movement
Improve Soil Add organic matter to soil of shrub and flower beds Improves plant health & conserves water By absorbing and storing water in a form available to plants Till in 4 inches of organic material Not practical for trees and grass areas
Use Appropriate Plants and Zone Landscape Use native plants when possible Well-adapted exotic plants may also be used Drought tolerant does not mean plant and forget
Use Appropriate Plants and Zone Landscape Low water use zones Moderate water use zones High water use zones
Create Practical Turf Areas Turf areas should be based on life style, site conditions, and water needs Traditional turf areas require more water
Create Practical Turf Areas Turfgrasses vary in their need for irrigation Fescue, bluegrass, ryegrass (use the most water) Hybrid bermudas like Tifway Zoysiagrass Common bermudagrass, U-3 Buffalograss (uses the least water)
Create Practical Turf Areas Consider: Reducing the size of water-sensitive lawns through the use of patios, decks, shrub beds and groundcovers The ease or difficulty of watering the proposed area Long narrow and small odd-shaped areas are difficult to irrigate efficiently
Use Mulches Mulch Conserves soil moisture Reduces weeds Prevents soil compaction Moderates soil temperatures
Use Mulches
Use Mulches Organic Straw, pine needles, bark nuggets, wood chips, sawdust and other wood products Inorganic Lava rock, rock, plastic, landscape fabric
Irrigate Efficiently Efficient irrigation systems can save a lot of water Efficient systems include Soaker hoses, trickle, drip Overhead irrigation is inefficient Zone irrigation systems
Rainwater Capturing System
Irrigate Efficiently Determine how much water is needed and how often each watering zone needs watering. Determine how long to water. Determine how fast to water.
Maintain Landscape Properly Healthy plants are more drought tolerant than weak or damaged plants
Maintain Landscape Properly Proper mowing Proper fertilizing Proper pruning Properly timed pest control Avoid mechanical damage Periodic checks of irrigation system
Low Water Use Plants Large trees Caddo sugar maple Hackberry Ginkgo Kentucky coffeetree Oaks Bald cypress Lacebark elm Japanese zelkova
Low Water Use Plants Medium trees Arizona cypress Eastern red cedar Chinese pistache Western soapberry Cedar elm
Low Water Use Plants Small trees Shantung maple Oklahoma redbud Desert willow Winterberry euonymus Pinyon pine
Low Water Use Plants Shrubs - large Smoke tree Crapemyrtle Silverberry elaeagnus Yaupon holly Arborvitae Vitex
Low Water Use Plants Shrubs - medium Rose of Sharon Crapemyrtle Deciduous holly Shrub roses Sumac Shrubs - small Glossy abelia Winter jasmine Junipers Nandina Spirea
Low Water Use Plants Vines Crossvine Trumpet vine Silver lace vine English ivy Virginia creeper Boston ivy Climbing rose
Low Water Use Plants Groundcovers Ornamental grasses Hardy ice plant Pampas grass Junipers Plume grass Liriope Maiden grass Creeping phlox Japanese silver grass Stonecrop sedum Zebra grass Santolina Giant reed grass Switch grass Fountain grass
Low Water Use Plants Perennials Yarrow Wormwood Blue mist spirea Plumbago Shasta daisy Coreopsis Coneflower Gaillardia Gaura Daylily Bearded iris Russian sage Black-eyed Susan Autumn sage Verbena
Low Water Use Plants Annuals Joseph s coat Summer snapdragon Melampodium Cockscomb Cosmos Mexican heather Gazania Gomphrena
Firebush Madagascar periwinkle Sunflower Ornamental sweet potato Lantana Pentas Portulaca/purslane
Low Water Use Plants Annuals Mexican bush sage Dusty miller Purple heart Marigolds Mexican sunflower Zinnia Mexican zinnia