Ideas For A Rock Garden

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Rock gardens and Xeriscape garden go hand in hand.

In areas that are naturally dry and areas prone to drought, xeriscaping is growing in popularity.

The Western United States, Arizona, California, New Mexico and Texas is an excellent place to put into practice xeriscape principles, with much of the land considered semi-arid, and especially prone to drought.

When applying the principles of landscaping in drier climates, it is possible to enjoy a beautiful landscape without running up the water bill or trying to keep your landscape from wilting.

More than Cactus and Rock Gardens

Many people, think a xeriscape garden is nothing more than cactus and rock gardens. The truth is these types of landscape designs are very efficient and make interesting landscapes.



Cacti come in many varieties and sizes which can be quite beautiful. Many cactus blooms lovely flowers as well and can add an interesting look and uniqueness to your landscape.

With children – choose cacti without spines of which you can find many types and don’t rules out succulents that are great for xeriscaping.

Rock Gardens Perfect for Xeriscape

Rock gardens are excellent candidates for xeriscape landscaping. They take up space bushes and lawn normally occupy, but require less care.

Rock gardens alone can look very interesting but planting a few choice plants among the rocks adds additional visual impact.

There are many flowers, ornamental grasses, small shrubs and groundcovers for use in a rock garden. Select hardy plants, preferably native varieties which can tolerate life in close proximity to the rocks.

Just because xeriscape is about conserving water doesn’t mean that a landscape needs to be all cactus and rock gardens. You can create and maintain a landscape using xeriscape principles with more traditional flowers, and even with lawns.

The Key: careful choice of plants and caring for them more efficiently, especially as it relates to water use. Learn about Lewisia plants.

Perennials Excellent Choice

A group of plants excellent in most xeriscapes are perennials (they store a great deal of nutrients in their roots and bulbs, and do not need as much water), ornamental grasses, vines, shrubs, and groundcover.

The use of native plants in an xeriscape design is essential in having a landscape not too high maintenance and one that conserves water. For interest combine more traditional landscape plants with plants like cacti and succulents to add variety.

Water Use in Xeriscape

Efficient use of water can help plants become more a part of the xeriscape. Intelligent water use, can help plants become stronger, utilize the moisture in the soil better, and better withstand drought, insects, and disease.

These watering tips work on watering the lawn as well. Efficiency is so important because most people use twice as much water as is necessary to water their lawns.

Instead of watering frequently and quickly, water occasionally but deeply. It may take more time, but the water will soak into the soil and encourage the plant roots (including the grass) to grow deeper and reach down into the soil.

Things like mulch and wood chips can help the soil hold moisture better as well, aeration ensures that the water gets down closer to the roots. Native plants deeply watered stand an excellent chance of blooming again and again giving greater pleasure over the look of your landscape.

A xeriscape design can be a beautiful landscape that efficiently uses and also conserves water.

If you keep focused on the basic principles of xeriscaping, chances are you will save yourself money in water costs, and enjoy healthier plants. You’ll spend less time on maintenance when incorporating the xeriscaping principles.

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