It may seem like stating the obvious to say that you might want to consider desert landscaping if you live in the desert. But many people who relocate to the desert from non-desert areas want to see the traditional green grass outside. For one thing, a patch of green breaks up the unending brown desert and offers the eye some colorful relief. But landscaping in the traditional way when you’re living in the desert can be expensive and impractical.
So what exactly is desert landscaping? These are plants that thrive in the desert with very little water, need no fertilizer and can withstand the intensity of the sun. You can also save an appreciable amount of money on your monthly water bill with desert landscaping because the water company will give you a big break on the rate you pay. And when you check with your water company and find out how much you’ll save, you’ll be motivated to landscape with desert plants only and not traditional grass. Even if you already have grass, they may offer you a bargain to replace it with something more desert-friendly.
Many people think desert landscaping consists of cacti and gravel. But you can actually have a lush and colorful landscape with beautiful plants, flowers and trees, while still being very water-efficient. You can even include a small pond, which is ideal and water efficient in this particular climate. And it offers enormous visual relief from the monotony of barren desert.
Things to keep in mind when designing your desert landscape:
- Group plants that need similar amounts of water together.
- Use real or engineered slopes in order to provide a runoff area for rain and those plants that need the highest concentration of water.
- Choose trees, bushes, shrubs, plants, and flowers that are hardy and resilient and if not native to the area at the very least native to similar climates.
- Check with your local water company for recommendations. The Las Vegas Valley Water District, for example, offers a variety of free, professionally-developed sample designs to help you plan your new landscape. They range from a child-friendly backyard design to a low maintenance front yard, and provide great examples of colorful and exciting, yet water smart landscapes.
Besides saving money, desert landscaping is also considered “green,” which is all the rage now and considered the right thing to do. And while you’re at it, don’t forget to add a covered patio so you can find a cool place in the shade to enjoy your landscaping.