Xeriscape Basics: How to Make Florida Friendly Landscaping Work for You

1. How to make
Florida-friendly
land~ap~~work
for you.

2. Xeriscape is Florida-friendly landscaping that saves water and protects the environment through reduced use of
pesticides and fertilizer. Xeriscape may also require much less maintenance than traditional landscaping.
This guide will help you select and arrange plants for your own Xeriscape.
Virtually any plant can
be used in a Xeriscape
landscape, even your
favorites like roses,
gardenias and annuals.
The key is to group
malll mU@Il9’S Plants should be grouped
these plants separately
according to water and sunlight needs. Plants needing
so they can be
full sun should be grouped separately from those
A ytered’as needed
needing shade or moist soil.
wttnout watering me --u
entire yard.
Drought-toleKlnt plants
Drought tolerant plants are good
Xeriscape choices. Most need
very little water once they are r
established in the landscape. Many
have fewer pest problems so they
require much less time to maintain.
M&m A 3” layer of mulch will improve
the appearance of your landscaped beds, as well as
reduce weed growth, moderate soil temperatures, 5011 alB&rSiS Knowing your soil
minimize erosion, and help retain soil moisture. type will help you make better decisions
about the plants you need and the way
you’ll water. Your county’s coopera-
Many trees can be used in a tive extension service can deter
Xeriscape landscape. When mine your soil’s pH.
choosing a tree, consider its
potential height. width and
cold hardiness. Trees cool
your yard by providing shade
and they help reduce
evaporation, too.
ost grasses requrre more water,
Shrubs and qrmnd covers Shrubs are important in a Xeriscape and fertilizer and pesticides than other areas of a landscape. In a
are often used in border plantings - at the edge of a landscape feature or to sepa- Xeriscape, grass is used where it is most practical, such as an
rate one yard from another. Ground covers can add interest and color to a land- area for children. Ground covers, decks and walkways are
scape and can be used to fill-in open areas in place of grass. often used to reduce grass in Xeriscape landscapes.
The Southwest Florida Water Management District does not discriminate upon the basis of any individual’s disability state. Anyone requiring reasonable accommodation under
the ADA should contact the Public Communications Department at 352-796-721 I or I-800-423-1476 (Florida only), TDD only 1-800-231-6103 (FlorIda only).

3. --- __. ---__ ----. -___
Southwest Florida Water
Management District
2379 Broad Street
Brooksville, FL 34609-6899
Xeriscape: It’s Growing Like Crazy is a
public education initiative sponsored in
partnership by the Pinellas-Anclote River
Basin Board of the Southwest Florida
Water Management District, the City of
St. Petersburg and Pinellas County.
Look for the Xeriscape demonstration
site from the Howard Frankland Bridge
to the Sunshine Skyway along l-275 in
St. Petersburg and Pinellas County.
For the location of other sites near
you, call the Southwest Florida Water
Management District at I-800-423-1476
or TDD only I-800-23 i-6 103.