Many homeowners are seeing native desert drought tolerant plants as practical low-maintenance elements to their landscaping.

Xeriscape, derived from the Greek word xeros meaning dry, has been around for a number of years now, but as the population in the Phoenix area increases there is a greater drive to conserve water and going native with landscaping is one important way to reduce irrigation needs.

The Town of Fountain Hills has in fact written low water landscaping for new development into its Zoning Ordinance (see separate story).

The town is also participating with several other municipal governments in the “Water Use It Wisely” program. The town has a number of booklets about low water landscaping available as well as information on its Web site at www.fh.az.gov.

Creating an attractive landscape with hot, dry weather and desert soil conditions can be a challenge for experienced gardeners, but once established a xeriscape garden adds low maintenance, colorful highlights to a home.

The Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) has prepared a booklet to encourage homeowners to go with native vegetation in landscaping. The booklet contains information about planning and planting a xeriscape garden.

Low water use is the primary goal of xeriscape and adhering to proper principles can help create a beautiful, healthy and water efficient landscaping.

Start with good landscape planning and design. The design includes consideration of cost, function, maintenance, water efficiency, energy efficiency and aesthetics.

Use low water plants. There are literally hundreds of options here. ADWR has developed a low water plant list with more than 300 types of plants, grasses, trees and cactus that are stingy water users. The Town of Fountain Hills has included this list as part of its low water landscape ordinance.

Appropriate turf areas can be included in xeriscape. Grass generally uses more water, but sometimes it is the best choice for homes where children or pets are around. Small turf areas need to be properly planned and maintained to enhance the xeriscape.

Efficient irrigation systems need to be planned based on the type of plants, and they should be adjusted seasonally and as new plants are established.

In most cases low water plants are well suited to the desert environment and will grow in desert soil without adding fertilizer or other supplements. Drainage and keeping the soil loose are the keys to improving desert soil for growing.

Mulch covering the ground around the plants will help slow evaporation and keep the soil around the plant moist. Mulch is also good to prevent erosion on slopes.

There are a number of professionals an individual can contact to get assistance in planning their xeriscape project. These might include a certified landscape professional, certified nursery professional, a certified arborist, a horticulturist, a landscape architect, landscape designer or consultant or a master gardener.

Information is also available from a number of sites in the Internet including www.wateruseitwisely.com; ADWR at www.water.az.gov; the University of Arizona Cooperative extension at www.ag.arizona.edu/extension; the Arizona Municipal Water Users Association, www.amwua.org; and the Arizona Native Plant Society at www.aznps.org.