A desert-smart landscape is one that blends native, drought-tolerant plants with sustainable hardscaping, water-wise irrigation design, smart shade structures, and erosion control to create a gorgeous xeriscape garden. Horticulture Unlimited has a team of landscape contractors who can help you garden with native plants and choose efficient irrigation solutions to beautify your property and save time and money. Here is our starter guide to sustainable desert gardening design.
Exploring Sustainable Landscape Ideas for Front Yards and Businesses
Whether you’re starting from scratch or planning a landscape renovation, you should take the time to explore ideas for sustainable desert planting design. Some of the most important things to consider are:
- Water-wise plant selection – Choose native and drought-tolerant plants that will survive the extreme summer heat and thrive with minimal water.
- Hydro-zoning – Group plants together that share similar sun, water, and soil needs for a beautiful, water-wise garden.
- Efficient irrigation – Install a smart irrigation system that can be scheduled and programmed to minimize water waste.
- Using mulch and ground cover – Use mulch and native ground cover to suppress weeds and help plants retain moisture and nutrients, even in the height of summer.
- Hardscaping – Choose sustainable and eco-friendly hardscaping materials to enhance beauty, reduce water usage, and create a functional outdoor living space.
- Shade and windbreaks – Create smart shade structures and use windbreaks to protect plants from heat and keep water from evaporating quickly in the summer.
Landscaping with Succulents and Native Plants
Native plants are ones that have grown in this region for hundreds or thousands of years. They have adapted to our local climate and soil and are essential to the health and survival of local wildlife. Using them in your garden or landscaped areas will conserve water, support wildlife, control erosion, reduce the need for landscaping maintenance, and preserve local biodiversity. Some of the best native plants to choose in Tucson are:
- Native groundcovers like evening primrose, trailing dalea, small sage, desert zinnia, Gooding’s verbena, damianita, and trailing rosemary
- Succulents and cacti like saguaro, barrel, organ pipe, chollas, prickly pears, hedgehog, pincushion, and ocotillo
- Desert lawns and grasses like blue grama, sideoats grama, bush muhly, buffalograss, curly mesquite, fescue, sacaton, Indian ricegrass, and galleta
- Shrubs and trees of the desert like acacia, ficus, desert willow, palo verde, and mesquite
- Desert accent plants like agave, aloe, and dasylirion
Choosing Garden Design Ideas that Ensure Long-Term Sustainability
Finally, there are some steps you can take to ensure long-term sustainability:
- Consider composting kitchen scraps and yard waste to create nutrient-rich fertilizer.
- Use organic mulch to retain moisture, reduce soil temperature, and prevent weeds.
- Collect rainwater in barrels for irrigation, or use gray water from washing machines and showers.
- Use native trees and shade structures to prevent soil erosion and reduce the temperature inside and outside.
Horticulture Unlimited can help you explore sustainable, water-wise garden design ideas that protect the environment and reduce water waste and landscaping maintenance. We specialize in residential and commercial landscape design as well as irrigation system services, hardscaping, sustainable landscaping, and more. Call us today at (520) 321-4678 or contact us online to set up an initial consultation.