Fall or early winter is the optimal time to prepare your yard for landscape color with low water-use plants.

Since two-thirds of household water use takes place outdoors, you can save the maximum amount of water by following “water-wise” planting tips available on the Water – Use it Wisely Web site, www.wateruseitwisely.com.

There, you’ll find tips for selecting plants, upgrading your landscape, grouping plants for visual impact and guidelines on when and how to plant.

If you’d like your landscape to look Mediterranean, Southwestern, Tropical Mexican or Sonoran, check out the themed planting lists on the site to give you some great ideas on creating these visual looks in your landscape.

“Many people are amazed at the variety of colors and textures they can incorporate into their landscaping using low water-use plants,” says Christina Klien, City of Peoria water conservation coordinator. 

“It’s always fun to show people some of the available options. The detailed information on the Water-Use It Wisely Web site is a good resource with creative suggestions. 

“September through April is an ideal planting time because it provides an opportunity for roots to grow throughout the cooler months, allowing the plants to get established before the onset of summer’s heat.”      

Following are just a few of the types of tips you’ll find at www.wateruseitwisely.com where you’ll also find an interactive watering guide that allows you to customize your watering schedule to your unique landscape needs, as well as examples of ideal low water-use plants, flowers, shrubs and trees.

Add a new dimension to your landscape – Contouring your yard provides a more natural look, while creating more dimension and interest in the landscape.  It also aids in capturing rainfall. Create mounds and swales (low spots) to capture and direct water to your plants -- not the street.

Use boulders for visual interest -- Boulders make an excellent accent to the landscape. A grade of boulders called “surface boulders" look more natural and the color usually matches the natural colored granites. Bury approximately one-third of the boulders and place plants nearby to soften the overall look.

Use granite for “flooring”  -- Use one-quarter or one-half inch minus granite (not screened granite) of natural color -- such as desert gold or beige. These colors provide a more natural desert look.

Let the sun shine in -- Use deciduous trees to block the southern and western exposures of your home from the summer sun -- and to take advantage of the sun’s warmth in the winter.

Group your plants – Don’t space plants evenly around the yard. Instead, place them in natural groupings as you would see in the desert. Cluster plants in groups of odd numbers, leaving open space for eye appeal.

Accessorize with flowers -- Plant wildflowers that will reseed themselves. They’ll provide seasonal color and year-round charm to your landscape. Some suggested varieties include penstemons, desert marigold, golden dyssodia, tufted evening primrose, poppies and lupines.

Stay close to home by using native plants  -- Use plants that are native to the Sonoran, Mohave or Chihuahuan deserts for best performance. These deserts are all found in the Southwestern United States and in Mexico.      

For more information on water-wise planting tips and 100-plus other ways to save water, visit www.wateruseitwisely.com.