Water Efficient Landscaping: Backyard Conservation

1. A FEW LAST TIPS
Water Efficient Landscaping
Getting Started
Water is just one component of your landscape Create practical turf areas. Lush green lawns can be
©Nathan Teutli, Moza Studio
planning–but in the arid west, itʼs an extremely beautiful, but they are one of the largest consumers of
important component. Planning for water efficiency water in a landscape. Reducing turf areas or locating
in your landscape design not only helps the them at the bottom of slopes where they collect runoff
environment, it also helps you avoid unnecessary and have proper drainage can significantly reduce
headaches and heartaches over foiled plantings and water use. This does not mean all turf areas should be
disappointing designs. eliminated. By selecting water efficient varieties and
properly locating turf, it can still play an important
More than half of the water consumed by an average function in the landscape.
household is used for landscaping. In the summer
Here is a brief list to help you avoid some common gardening pitfalls and make
the most of your water efficient garden: months water use can increase by 250%, the majority Use water-efficient plants. A plant list is included
of which goes for outdoor watering. Xeriscaping, a inside this handout. Gardening books and your local
1. Check sun/shade conditions. Sun patterns vary size and shape. Even drought-tolerant plants, practice based on designing an attractive, sustainable nursery are other good sources for plant suggestions.
with time of day and year. when new, need a good consistent supply of landscape that minimizes water use and sound Plants native to your local area are often well adapted
water to get started. Once established in the soil, horticultural principles, is one possible solution to this to arid conditions and are also good garden candidates.
2. Evaluate soil and improve if necessary. Soil watering can be reduced. problem.
types can vary within a given site. An Water efficiently with properly designed irrigation
analysis based on random soil sampling can 5. Donʼt overwater! Use a soil probe or your fin- Xeriscape is coined from the Greek word Xeros, systems. The irrigation system should be well planned
provide information for plant selection and ger to check for soil moisture below the surface. which means dry. But unlike the dry unattractive and managed. Drip or trickle irrigation systems apply
soil amendments. If appropriate, natural soil The soil in the root zone can be moist even when
landscape some people may picture when they hear the water where it does the most good: directly to the
amendments or compost can improve root the surface appears dry.
the term, xeriscaped, landscapes can be both beautiful soil. This reduces evaporation and and saves you time
development, water penetration, and retention.
6. Consider the relationship among plants based and water efficient. Xeriscaping is an excellent now spent watering by hand. Not all plants need the
Remember to improve the soil before planting or
installing an irrigation system. upon their mature sizes and shapes. alternative to a “traditional” landscape, makes wise same amount of water. Group plants with like water
use of our water supply, and helps keep your water needs together. Also, irrigation needs change with
3. Promote good drainage. Excess moisture in the 7. A garden or yard is personal, so select plants to bills reasonable. the season and the weather. Water needs vary with
root zone increases occurrence of disease and display colors, foliage, and flowers that appeal plant variety, soil conditions, temperature and rainfall.
pest infestations and promotes root rot. to you. Foliage, bark, and flower contrast Whether planning a new landscape or renovating an Needs also change as plants mature.
and seasonal change add beauty to your water old one, following these principles will help you save
4. Follow proper planting techniques. When efficient landscape. water and achieve your gardening goals. Use organic mulches to reduce evaporation.
planting, space new plants based upon mature Mulches minimize evaporation, reduce weed growth,
Plan and design comprehensively. When making slow erosion, and help prevent soil temperature
plans for your garden, think about how you use fluctuations. When applied at a depth of 3-6 inches,
For more information please contact your local conservation district or UC Extension (Master Gardeners your yard. Do you entertain guests, need a place for mulches can be one key to a successful water efficient
chapter). Special thanks to the UC Davis Arboretum, Master Gardeners, and the UC Davis Herbarium.
children to play, want to block an ugly view? Once landscape.
you have determined your needs, consider the view,
the slope, sun exposure, placement of structures, Practice appropriate maintenance. The quality and
existing vegetation, and the soils of the area. Create a efficiency of the xeriscape will be best maintained
plan deciding where things will be and when different through proper pruning, weeding, and attention to
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability,
political beliefs, sexual orientation, or marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for areas will be done; Landscapes are often installed in the irrigation system.
communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDAʼs TARGET Center at 202-720-2600 (voice and TDD).
phases.
To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC
20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

2. ✵
Plant List
✵ Groundcovers
Here are a few examples of Juniperus conferta Baccharis pilularis, dwarf forms
water efficient plants. Using shore juniper dwarf coyote brush
such plants in your landscape Helianthemum Juniperus horizontalis ʻBar Harborʼ
could help improve water use
sunrose Bar Harbor juniper
efficiency.
Cotoneaster dammeri Osteospermum
Check with a local nursery to bearberry cotoneaster freeway daisy, creeping African daisy
see which plants are available
in your area. Hypericum calycinum Aptenia cordifolia r Platythyra haeckeliana
Saint Johnswort red apple ice plant, hearts & flowers ice plant
Remember to also consider the Ceanothus, prostrate forms Arctostaphylos, creeping selections
overall look of your landscape creeping wild lilac manzanita
before deciding on which plants
to use. Verbena tenuisecta Rosmarinus officinalis ʻProstratusʼand ʻRenzelsʼ
moss verbena dwarf rosemary
Teucrium chamaedrys ʻNanumʼ Mahonia aquifolium ʻCompactaʼ [synonym Berberis aquifolium ʻCompactumʼ]
creeping wall germander dwarf Oregon grapeVerbena tenuisecta
Shrubs
Arctostaphylos
manzanita Nandina domestica Callistemon citrinus
heavenly bamboo lemon bottlebrush
Rosa
roses Punica granatum Rhaphiolepis indica
pomegranate Indian hawthorn
Pyracantha
firethorn Photinia r fraseri Symphoricarpos albus
Syringa vulgaris hybrid photinia common snowberry
common lilac Pittosporum tobira Lonicera fragrantissima
Cistus tobira, Japanese mock-orange winter honeysuckle
rockroses Fremontodendron californicum Heteromeles arbutifolia
Arbutus unedo common flannel bush toyon, Christmas berry
strawberry tree Grevillea lavandulacea
Escallonia bifida [synonym E. montevidensis] Nerium oleander lavender-leaf grevillea
white escallonia oleander
Carpenteria californica
Feijoa sellowiana [synonym Acca sellowiana] Cercis occidentalis bush anemone
pineapple guava western redbud
Leucophyllum frutescens
Thuja orientalis & T. occidentalis, shrub forms Cotinus coggygria Texas-sage
shrub arborvitae smoke tree
Perennials Broadleaved Evergreens Deciduous
Eschscholzia californica Rhus lancea Quercus lobata
California poppy African sumac valley oak
Achillea filipendulina Casuarina cunninghamiana Acer truncatum
fernleaf yarrow beefwood Shantung maple
Agapanthus ʻPeter Panʼ Quercus ilex Zelkova serrata
dwarf lily-of-the-Nile holly oak Japanese zelkova
Armeria Quercus suber Pistacia chinensis
thrift, sea pink cork oak Chinese pistache
Diascia cordata Quercus agrifolia Celtis occidentalis
twinspur coast live oak common hackberry
Dietes vegeta Laurus nobilis Quercus douglasii
fortnight lily Grecian laurel blue oak
Maytenus boaria Sapium sebiferum
Eriogonum umbellatum Chinese tallow tree
sulfur flower mayten tree
Prunus ilicifolia Robinia r ambigua ʻidahoensisʼ
Hemerocallis Idaho locust
daylily hollyleaf cherry
Xylosma congestum Gymnocladus dioica
Penstemon Kentucky coffee-tree
beard tongue xylosma
Sophora japonica
Epilobium canum [synonym Zauschneria] Japanese pagoda tree
California fuchsia
Koelreuteria paniculata
goldenrain tree
Trees
Lagerstroemia indica & hybrids
Evergreen Conifers crape myrtle
Calocedrus decurrens
incense cedar
Cedrus deodara
deodar cedar
Pinus canariensis
Canary Islands pine
Pinus contorta
shore pine