Natural Landscaping - University of Nevada

1. Natural Landscaping
Background Information
At a Glance
Natural landscaping involves both site design and
• Low maintenance plants that
plant selection.
require little water result in
Native plants are adapted to local climate, soil and better water quality because
environmental conditions. Properly placed, they there is less runoff, and less
require very little maintenance and water – and that need for pesticides and fertil-
means better water quality because there is less izers.
runoff, and less need for pesticides and fertilizers.
• Native plants, which are
Non-native Xeriscape plants also require less water adapted to local climate, soil
and chemical support and may be good landscape and environmental conditions,
choices as long as they are not on the state’s are often used in natural
noxious weeds list. landscaping design.
• Non-native Xeriscape plants
Community Strategies
may also be good choices as
• As a key part of site planning, preserve and long as they are not on the
enhance existing natural areas such as prairies, state’s noxious weeds list.
wetlands and floodplains.
• Encourage the use of native species and/or Xeri-
scaping in your community’s landscape design
criteria.
• Contact the University of Nevada Cooperative
Extension at (775) 784-4848 for information about
training programs for home landscape professionals
concerning best management practices for land-
scape design and maintenance.
The photos of both these gardens illustrate that xeriscape does not have to be “zero-scape!”

2. Natural Landscaping
Some Examples
• Washoe County Development Code (section 110.412.25) encourages
preserving existing vegetation and ecological communities where
appropriate and feasible.
• The Truckee Meadows Water Authority has developed a landscaping
guide: Landscaping in the Truckee Meadows. It lists trees, shrubs,
and groundcovers that are drought tolerant and grow well in our
area. The original booklet is out of print, but at interactive website
exists at www.tmh20.com.
For More Information
City of Aurora Landscape Requirements Manual
<www.auroragov.org/documents/CTY_PL_LandscapeManual.pdf>
City of Broomfield 1995 Master Plan
<www.ci.broomfield.co.us/planning/masterplan/99MP1_97.html>
Colorado State University Gardening On Line Fact Sheets
<www.ext.colostate.edu/PUBS/GARDEN/pubgard.html>
EPA – A Sourcebook on Natural Landscaping for Public Officials
<www.epa.gov/glnpo/greenacres/toolkit/chap1.html#WHAT%20IS>
Landscaping in the Truckee Meadows <www.tmh2o.com>
Truckee Meadows Water Authority Interactive Landscape Guide Both of these accent
<www.tmh2o.com/landscape_guide/interactive/frontpage.php> plants do well in Nevada’s
climate, making them
University of Nevada Cooperative Extension Ask a Master Gardener excellent candidates for
<www.unce.unr.edu/mastergardener/mastergardener.html> xeriscape gardens.
Water Efficient Landscape Design Model Ordinance
<www.dola.state.co.us/smartgrowth/documents/Water%20Efficient%20Landscaping%20
Design.pdf>
Water-Efficient Landscaping: Preventing Pollution and Using Resources Wisely
<www.epa.gov/OW-OWM.html/water-efficiency/final_final.pdf>
WaterWise Landscaping Best Practices Manual: A Companion to the
Landscape Design Ordinance
<www.dola.state.co.us/smartgrowth/documents/WaterWise%20Lands
caping%20Best%20Practices%20Manual.PDF>
Protecting water quality
through community planning
Adapted with permission from the Water Protection Toolkit for Local Officials, AWARE Colorado.