Xeriscape
Dry Landscaping for Arizona
What is Xeriscape?
The word xeriscape is a combination of the
Greek word "xeros," which means dry, and
landscape. Put together, xeriscape means
"dry landscape."
Principles of Xeriscape
•
•
•
•
Plan and design for function
Functional turf area/irrigated separately
Low volume drip system
Low water plants with either
shade/screening and borders and accents
• Organic water holding soil
• Mulches to cover and cool soil
• Maintenance – necessary but less
Sample Xeriscape
Before
After
How do I start?
• Place in groups of 3 to 4
• Brainstorm viable Xeriscape plants for
Arizona.
• Using graph paper draw a Xeriscape yard
¼ inch = 1 foot in scale.
• Place and justify your Xeriscape plants,
turf, fountains etc.
• Finally build a small scale model of your
yard.
Kid play area
Palm
Tree
Stepping
stones
Justify your reasoning on the plants
chosen.
We chose a cactus because of its low
water needs and it provides nice
accents in the yard.