Xeriscaping 101: Everything You Need to Know About Xeric Gardens

Have you always wanted to have a vibrant backyard, but you live in a dry area that doesn’t lend itself well to gardening? Or perhaps you simply don’t want to deal with the hassle of having to regularly water or otherwise maintain your plants? If so, xeriscaping in San Diego may be just the thing you need to get the backyard landscape you have always wanted. Xeriscaping is a landscaping philosophy that prioritizes native and drought-resistant plants and arranges them in ways that minimize or even completely eliminate the need for irrigation. In the following article, we’ll explain what xeriscaping is, why people use it in lieu of traditional gardens, and what its long term benefits for the environment are. Keep reading to learn more.

What is a xeric garden?

As its name implies, a xeric garden is a type of landscaping that uses as little water as possible. This has the advantages of making the xeric garden easier to plant and maintain, while also being more cost-efficient for the owner and less harmful for the environment. By choosing garden plants that can withstand drought, planting them in well-prepared garden beds, and mulching them with pebble, stone, or lava rock mulch, you can create a truly natural and gorgeous ecosystem of plants, birds, insects, and tiny mammals.

What is the goal of xeriscaping?

Pronounced “zeer-i-scape”, the word xeriscape is a mix of the Greek words “xeros” (dry) and “scape” (view). It was originally trademarked by Denver Water in the aftermath of an especially difficult drought that occurred during the late 1970s and early 1980s. The goal of this landscaping philosophy is to create visually appealing landscapes that are significantly more water-efficient than their traditional counterparts. If done right, a xeric garden can easily use up less than half as much water as a regular landscape. This brings benefits on both a personal (for the owner of the xeriscape) and on a global level because it helps protect the planet in the same way that other green philosophies do.

What are the benefits of xeriscaping?

In addition to being extremely eco-friendly, xeriscaping also brings other benefits that have made it attractive even for people who don’t live in arid climates. These benefits include:

• Low maintenance. Lush native plants and decorative granite rocks need very little maintenance. All you have to do is trim them a little a few times a year and make sure no weeds are present.
• Money savings. Since xeric gardens require minimal maintenance, there’s no need to pay for costly landscapers or buy lawnmowers, sprinklers, and other expensive gardening equipment. Most importantly, saving water will greatly cut down on your utility bills.
• Aesthetics. Although installing artificial turf is a great way to save money and be more eco-friendly, the reality is that not everybody likes the look of artificial turf. Xeriscaping achieves the best of both worlds by being both beautiful and energy-efficient.
• It boosts property value. Adding a xeric garden can increase its real estate market value by as much as 15% in some areas.

Who provides top-notch xeriscaping in San Diego?

Have you seen the California Native Plant Garden at the famous Balboa Park, and you’ve decided that you’d like to have these lovely plants in your own backyard? Here at Pacific Dreamscapes, we’d like to help you do just that. As the leading landscapers in San Diego, not only are we able to provide you with a truly amazing xeric garden that marries aesthetics and practicality, but we can also retrofit your existing irrigation system or disconnect it completely if needed. Get in touch with us today.