Xeriscaping 101

As communities nationally are faced with increased demands on existing water supplies, everyone from environmentalists to city officials are pushing a new form of landscaping: xeriscaping.

Derived from the Greek word xeros, meaning dry, combined with landscaping, the method uses drought-resistant plants to conserve water in an attractive setting. Xeriscaping includes a wide variety of water-wise plants that require low pruning and maintenance.

According to the nonprofit group Xeriscape Colorado!, the average homeowner uses about 50 percent of their residential water on landscaping and yard care. And in water-hungry Utah, one of the driest states in the nation, the creative approach to water-saving landscaping is becoming increasingly popular.

"It definitely makes sense in Utah's hot and dry environment," said Mandy Self, education director at Red Butte Garden. "Even though we had a lot of rain and snow this winter, we do live in a high desert, and water will always be an issue for us."

In addition to saving water, time and money, xeric gardens require minimal pesticide and fertilization.

"People are realizing they don't want to maintain it," said Angela Dean, owner of AMD Architecture in Salt Lake. "They don't need the maintenance and pesticide use. It just reflects an environmentally friendly attitude."

Dean, whose firm specializes in environmentally sustainable architecture, said it is no longer rare to drive around the Salt Lake area and see xeric gardens.

"It's beautiful. It just shows there's more thought and design and care put into these types of homes and landscapes," she said. "Really, there are so many benefits. It's smart design. You are thinking things through and getting the best value for what you're doing."

Through proper planning and design, xeriscaping might be one of the best investments a homeowner could make. And according to water conservancy and gardening experts, xeriscaping is a do-it-yourself project.

Step 1: Design

Landscape is an investment in your property — an attractive xeriscape could boost property values by as much as 15 percent, Xeriscape Colorado! says.

"You need to start with a plan of attack," Self said. "Water-wise landscapes can look harsh if you don't plan correctly."