Xeriscaping

Xeriscaping was developed in Colorado and is actually a trademarked term. It comes from the Greek "xeros," meaning dry, and "scape," a kind of view or scene. It means a form of landscaping with slow-growing, drought-tolerant plants to conserve water and establish a waste-efficient landscape.

Xeriscaping lowers your water bills and makes it easier to maintain your yard because it doesn't require as much care. Selecting native plants and making sure you're watering correctly is key to xeriscaping.

The University of Florida IFAS Extension lists the following Elements of Xeriscaping:

Zoning:
Grouping plants in the landscape according to their water requirements. For example, water-loving plants should be grouped separately from drought-tolerant plants. This allows for the proper amount of water to be distributed to the plants as they need it.

Use Of Drought-tolerant Plants:
These plants require less water and are adapted to drought conditions and soils with low water-holding capacities.

Drought-tolerant Turf:
Ask your local nurseries which grass varieties have excellent drought tolerance and will grow well in your yard's soil type. Centipede grass is appropriate for most of the Southeast. In Florida, bahiagrass, bermudagrass, and zoysiagrass all have excellent drought tolerance and may be suitable for your area as well. During dry periods, allow the turf to go dormant. When the rain comes, these grasses will turn green again.

Mulch:
Because mulch reduces evaporation, it is used extensively in xeriscaping to replace areas that require extensive watering. Mulch can also be used to create paths or walkways throughout your landscape.

More on Southeast Landscaping

Information courtesy: University of Florida IFAS Extension