Hey there
readers, Use My Guy here with an exciting new addition to the blog that is all
about xeriscaping your land so that it is beautiful year round and is water
conservation friendly. This will be a two part article with a possible third,
if part two gets too long. It is
important to remember that in Arizona there is always a strong possibility of
drought not only in the summer but also in the winter. What this means for you-the conscious gardener-is
that you should be looking for as many ways as possible to save water not only
for mother earth but also for your pocket-book.
If you set a good example and turn your yard into a beautiful water and
money saving paradise than your neighbors are sure to follow suit which will
lead to a bigger positive impact for the environment.
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| A perfectly xeriscaped yard |
According to
Merriam-Webster xeriscape means “a landscaping method developed especially for
arid and semiarid climates that utilizes water-conserving techniques (as the
use of drought-tolerant plants, mulch, and efficient irrigation)”. Basically this means that when planning your
yard and garden you use plants that are native to the Arizona or the Sonoran
desert instead of plants native to areas with large amounts of rain fall like
Portland Oregon or Vancouver B.C. Using
plants that are native to Arizona ensures that you will only have to water your
yard once or twice a week. This will
save you hundreds of dollars every year and allow you to have a beautiful yard
year round that requires very little maintenance and helps local wildlife to
flourish, bringing you joy year round.
In this
article I will introduce you to some of Arizona’s hardiest shrubs, trees, grasses,
flowers and cacti. These are all plants
that are A) native to Arizona or the Sonoran desert and B) Are rated low to
very low for their water usage by the Arizona Municipal Water Users
Association. This means that these
plants generally only require watering between 3 and 4 times a month and
usually only during the summer. In the
winter most of these plants require no supplemental watering.
Many
homeowners are not aware of the huge variety in color, texture and looks that
are available to them in the way of plants that are also drought resistant,
heat resistant and even cold resistant.
Most of the plants that I will be talking about also do well in the
winter months and do not need any supplemental watering in the winter. Most homeowners who do not have xeriscaped
property are using close to 7,000 gallons of water a month for a 3,000 sq ft
lawn. This is a pretty average lawn size
for many communities in Arizona but even for those with smaller lawns, say even
half of that size you would still be using 3,500 gallons of water a month. Now imagine a world where you only have to
water 3 to 4 times a month and only during the summer!!! This is completely possible and you will save
money on your utilities and help to conserve Arizona’s most precious natural
resource.
The
information I am about to give you will completely change your view on Arizona
plants. This is a comprehensive list of
plants from vines to shrubs and trees that will complement each-other and give
your yard natural color, diversity and shade year round. So let start with vines. These are a great option for people with
chain-link fences who want more privacy or those with balconies or awnings who
want to add a little bit of color to the space while helping to cool and
oxygenate it as well.
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| Baja Passion Vine |
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| Grape Ivy |
Next up is
the Grape Ivy. This vine is related to
the grape vine but does not bear fruit although the leaves look similar. Grape ivy also prefers to have shade around
which makes it ideal for growing on a gazebo or pergola or on the supports of a
covered porch. This vine can withstand
temperatures as low as 20 degrees F and is an evergreen for the most part with
large green leaves that bring beauty and serenity with them wherever they
go. Grape Ivy only needs to be watered 3
to 4 times a month.
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| Lilac Vine |
The last of
the vines I will be talking about today but certainly not the least is the
Lilac Vine. This is not an actual Lilac
flower as they do not grow well in our region which is region 9 but these showy
purple flowers make a wonderful substitute.
One of the great things about this vine is its versatility. It not only grows well on a terrace or fence
but it can also be used for ground cover and although it only flowers in
February the beautiful green leaves stay year round making it ideal for those
wishing for privacy. This vine is
usually only sold in nurseries when it is in bloom so keep an eye out for it in
February as that is the best time to find it in bloom. Water 3 to 4 times a month in summer.
Now let us
talk grasses. The grasses mentioned here
are not the lush soft grass that we all know and love such as Bermuda or Rye. These are hardy, ornamental grasses meant
more to complement your other plants and help to decrease soil erosion. They will also only need to be watered a few
times a month and will provide a lush contrast to the cacti and other spiny
desert plants in your yard. Keep in mind
that having a variety of plants is the best way to ensure that your yard has
plenty of color year round.
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| Deer Grass |
First up is
Deer-grass. This is a native to Arizona,
Texas and New Mexico. Deer-Grass is
drought resistant, rabbit resistant and can withstand temperatures as low as 0
degrees Fahrenheit. It is an evergreen
which means that with proper care it will stay green all year long. This grass can grow up to 4 feet high by 4
feet wide so it is important to prune it on a regular basis to maintain a consistent
look and ensure that it doesn’t envelop the other plants around it. Water 3 to 4 times a month during the summer.
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| Pink Muhly |
Next up is Pink
Muhly. This is a fun and colorful grass
that grows to about 3’ tall by 3’ wide.
This is a very hardy grass that can withstand temperatures as low as 0
degrees Fahrenheit. Pink Muhly flowers
in the fall with long pink stems but is an evergreen so it stays green year
round. This is a native to Texas and is
drought resistant so this means that it only needs to be watered between 3 and
4 times a month in the summer. If you
are looking for bright colors in the late summer and fall than this grass is
for you.
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| Side Oats Grama |
The last of
the grasses I will be discussing in this article is called Sideoats Grama. Sorry farmers no actual oats from this plant although
it does make great forage for livestock and the tall tan stocks do resemble
edible oats. This Texas native likes
full sun and is very hardy being able to survive in temperatures as low as 0
degrees Fahrenheit. This is an evergreen
that only needs to be watered 3 to 4 times a month in the summer.
That’s all
for today folks, next week I will cover shade trees, shrubs and possibly
flowers time permitting. I will also
have ideas for the best combinations that will ensure that there is a variety
of colors in your garden year round. When
looking for a handyman we understand how hard it can be to find someone you
trust that’s why we here at Use My Guy Services are on the Better Business Bureau where we have an A+ rating. We
are also on Angie’s List where we have a 5 star rating as well in addition to
winning the Super Service Award for 2015.
You can also check us out on yelp and Face book where we have dozens of
5 star reviews. So look no further
because we are your trusted source for all your handyman needs from plumbing
and electrical to shelf hanging and irrigation installation and
repair. Call us at (602)316-9187 to
speak with a member of our friendly and helpful staff or check us out online
for a complete list of services offered and for more information about our
family and how you can be a part of it.
Thanks for reading.
Use My Guy
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