Desert Plant Landscaping

Native Plants

• Xeriscaping is the practice of landscaping in arid climates. Xeriscaping involves an understanding of using plants creatively without large amounts of water. Central to the success of this practice is using of native plants that evolved and thrive in dry environments. Study the plants growing in your area and consult with gardeners and landscapers who work in that ecosystem. Basing your choice of plants on what wants to grow there increase your chances of success and decrease the amount of work required.

Succulents and Cacti

• Succulents are desert plants characterized by thick, meaty leaves with the capacity to store large amounts of moisture inside of them. Succulents evolved within desert ecosystems to survive drought. Their use in your landscaping plans relates your designs to the surrounding landscape. Cacti also evolved to survive in arid locations. They usually feature sharp spines protecting them from foraging animals. Cacti grow in a range of sizes, shapes and colors. They provide a domestic landscape with an array of effects, all of which will thrive in the dryness of the desert.

Rock Gardening

• Rock gardening is a landscaping technique that combines appropriate plants with aesthetically placed rocks and stones. In dry landscapes, the rugged beauty of stone replaces the tropical gardens. Large numbers of flat stones placed in your garden area can have practical benefits. The stones absorb heat from the sun during the day, and then radiate that heat into the soil during the cold desert night, helping to keep the plants around the stones warm.

Water

• Water plays a dominant role in desert landscaping, primarily through its absence. The dryness of the environment dictates what plants you will can successfully grow. Create contrasts with the dryness of the desert by integrating water features into your desert landscaping. A small, artificial pond or spraying fountain helps dilute the desert heat, and may attract local birds and other wildlife.