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.