Xeric Plantings and Water Wise Medians


Xeriscape is a planting and gardening practice that promotes lush yards, gardens and landscapes while using creative approaches to water conservation. A huge portion of residential water usage in the United States is devoted to landscaping. In many places here in the west, more than 50 percent of residential water used is applied to landscape and lawns.

Xeriscape can reduce landscape water use by 60 percent or more. By using specific plant species and seven fundamental gardening principles (see list below), xeric plantings require less water than plants indigenous to regions that experience greater precipitation. An added bonus to the water savings is that xeric plantings often require very little maintenance and can increase property values. Xeric plantings are almost completely drought resistant and can survive water shortages during the hot summer months.

Besides conserving water, the xeriscaping technique can save the City, its residents and businesses money through lower water bills. The City of Lakewood's Parks Department uses 17% less water for its irrigation efforts than Denver Water recommends, saving the City about $82,000 annually. This is in large part due to the use of xeric plantings in City parks. The Denver post recognized Lakewood's Kendrick Lake Park as "xeric wonder" and an excellent example of xeric planting in greater Denver.

Xeriscapaping Flowers Teucrium aroanium

The Seven Principles of Xeriscape

1. Planning and Design

  • Existing lawn, garden, shrub masses and flower beds
  • Slopes, their grade and compass orientation








2. Soil Improvements

Front Range soils tend to fall into one of two categories: sand and clay. Clay soil is dense, slow to absorb and release water. If water is applied to clay soil too quickly, it either pools on the surface or runs off. Over watering heavy clay soil can actually drown plants. Sandy soil can't hold water. Unless irrigated frequently, plants in sandy soils tend to dry out. To enable your soil to better absorb water and allow for deeper roots, you may need to add a soil amendment before you plant. For most soils, adding 1 to 2 inches of organic matter such as compost or well-aged manure to your soil can be beneficial. Rototill the organic matter into the soil at least 6 inches deep.
Before amending soils one must decide what the majority of plant species are that will be used. Native western plant species have evolved to not need high organic content. Many of the native western species actually will die or be short lived with too much organic matter. Besides being mineral in nature western soils also tend to be alkaline in pH. Many soil amendments that are traditionally used (humus, compost, lime, wood ash) simply are not needed for western water wise gardening. Because western native species have evolved in the mineral rich western soils adding trace minerals to the soil may be beneficial. Most often no soil amending is necessary. Performing a soil test will confirm the amount of trace minerals that are available for the plants to utilize.

Along with soil chemistry, good drainage is very important for many western native plants. From my experience one can adapt Midwest or eastern natives to the west easier than trying to make western species work in a moist environment. The caveat in this endeavor is one must use copious amounts of water to grow Midwest species in the arid west; not a good idea. The western natives perform very poorly when subjected to more irrigation than they need, even with good drainage.

3. Efficient Irrigation



4. Zoning of Plants



By grouping your plants appropriately (similar moisture, sun or exposure requirements), you will minimize water waste while ensuring that your plants will flourish in the right environment. Otherwise one will end up watering enough to satisfy the species with the greatest water demand. This is an inefficient method of irrigation and wastes water that we are trying to conserve.

5. Mulches
Mulching is essential for gardening along the Front Range. Mulch helps keep plants roots cool, prevents soil from crusting, minimizes evaporation and reduces weed growth. Mulches also give beds a finished look and increase the visual appeal of your garden.


Another amendment to be careful with is wood mulch. All to often wood mulch piled up around the base of a species will cause the plant to rot at the base and die. Rock mulch works much better but one must still be careful to not pile it up around the base of the plant or crown rotting may still occur.


 6. Turf Alternatives 
Traditionally, the landscape of choice along the Front Range has been a carpet of bluegrass turf. Bluegrass is lush and hardy, but in our semi-arid climate it requires a substantial amount of supplemental watering.


One way to reduce watering requirements is to reduce the amount of bluegrass turf in your landscape. Native or low water-use plantings, patios, decks or mulches can beautify your landscape while saving water. Choosing a turf that uses less water also serves the same purpose. Such choices can include buffalo grass, blue grama grass, turf-type tall fescue and fine fescues.

7. Appropriate Maintenance


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