Tag Archives: desert landscaping

Xeriscaping Part I

landscape remodel
Xeriscaping is Not Just Desert Landscaping I (928) 356-8167

Xeriscaping makes sense for where we live. Arizona is a part of the Sonoran desert. Water obviously is a precious natural resource.

Xeriscaping in Ahwatukee

The population of Ahwatukee, like all Valley cities is increasing. As more and more people relocate to the Valley of the Sun, demands on our aquifers are increasing exponentially. Prices go up the more people want something. Water isn’t an exception to this rule.

Your water bill can be lowered by using xeriscaping effectively, however. What is xeriscaping? Dry landscaping or xeriscaping is a method of landscape design using drought tolerant plants. When you mention it, nearly everybody equates it with desert landscaping. However, the term xeriscaping is more about water allocation.

Xeriscaping Principles in Landscape Design

There are different tricks of using xeriscaping principles in your landscape design. One of the core concepts of xeriscaping is to group plants with similar water needs together to reduce water consumption. When you reduce your demand for water, guess what?  You also reduce your water bill.  Conserving water to save money is a great benefit, however, that’s only one reason for xeriscaping,  Another one is trying to live green.

Is xeriscaping environmentally friendly?  Absolutely.  Because you are using plants that require less water, it helps in the fight against desertification.  Another reason you may want to do xeriscaping at your home or business is that it also helps to stop the spread of invasive species.  If you want some inspiration, look up kudzu and see what it’s done to the South.  It grows a foot a day.  We don’t have that here, however, we do have plants that people plant such as nasturtiums and African daisies which expand aggressively and can choke out other plants. When you’re in doubt, call in a landscaping service to help you pick your plants, which will also be our next topic.

Green ServPro LLC
600 W. Ray Rd. Suite B2
Prescott AZ 85225
(928) 356-8167
http://www.greenservpro.com

Themed Landscape Design Part 2: The Gardens of the Southwest

Part two of our series on themed landscape design explores the gardens that are found in the Desert Southwest. Be sure to read part one and part three of this series as well.

Themed Landscape Design: The Old West Made New

Landscape Design to Fit Your Taste | (928) 356-8167
Landscape Design to Fit Your Taste | (928) 356-8167

Sometimes themed landscaping is more than just what flowers to plant in the fall, or how far apart you should put them.  Sometimes, you want to add a touch of charm.  Living in a major metropolitan area like Phoenix, it is easy to forget that Arizona was a cowboy state, and very much part of the Old West.  Don’t believe us?  Ever heard of Wyatt Earp?  How about Tombstone or the Lost Dutchman?  How about creating a space that captures the romance and bravado of the Old West.

How?  Well, think about the Old West: dusty streets, magnificent buttes, railroads, lone campfires in a desert landscape.  Hmm, desert landscaping.  That would seem to be a great place to start.  And make no mistake it isn’t just dry, boring plants and the odd cactus.  Think about the brilliant gold of a California poppy, or the rich orange of an ocotillo.  Desert lupine and hummingbird trumpets have amethyst purples and carnelian reds.  And sandstone boulders add a nice earth tone touch to bind it all together.

Landscape Design Tips For an Old West Garden

For a whimsical touch, put a wagon wheel in a bed of white poppies, or maybe line your flower beds with railroad ties.  However, it isn’t just railroad ties and xeriscaping that can make a southwestern garden.

Maybe have a container garden with brightly painted Mexican pots, or maybe a rusty iron sculpture of a coyote.  It is the little whimsical touches that can transform your garden from drab to exciting.

Green ServPro LLC
600 W. Ray Rd. Suite B2
Prescott AZ 85225
(928) 356-8167

 

More Info About Landscape Design

Landscape design in Prescott isn’t just about what flowers to plant in fall,  or how much to water.  Sometimes, it is also about ingenuity as well.

Landscape Design Tip:  Convert Your Yard To Desert Landscaping

Landscape Design to Fit Your Taste | (928) 356-8167
Landscape Design to Fit Your Taste | (928) 356-8167

Some people may wonder why anyone would want to convert a yard to desert landscaping would be a good idea in a place as hot as Arizona.  Well, while lawns are beautiful green spaces, they are also fairly labor intensive as well as cost intensive.  If you have a lawn, for example, you can expect to pay up to 10% higher water bills per month from having to water your lawn.   Hiring a service saves you labor, but doesn’t necessarily save you money.  With people having to make cutbacks, one solution involves changing their yard over to something more economical.

yard conversions have started to rise.  Most housing tracts and commercial centers are already starting to incorporate desert landscaping.   It’s merely a matter of removing lawn,  laying down gravel, putting a few boulders around, and planting a cactus or two or some desert plants.  However, it isn’t just desert landscaping that you can convert a yard to.

Yard Conversions: More Landscape Tips

Maybe you don’t want to go desert on your landscaping.  Well, did you know that you can turn your yard into a tropical oasis of landscape design.  Whatever, you decide, make sure you do it right.

Having a lawn isn’t for everyone.  If you want to cut back on your water bill, and are no tired of mowing your lawnl, don’t make it a crater, make it into something else.  Convert your lawn to an area that has landscaping instead.

Green ServPro LLC
600 W. Ray Rd. Suite B2
Prescott AZ 85225
(928) 356-8167
http://www.greenservpro.com