As the costs of living increase around the country, many people are looking for smart ways to save money on basic living expenses. One of those expenses that increases seemingly every year is the cost of water utilities. Some homeowners are using xeriscaping at their homes to help mitigate their water use and bring utility bills down.
What is Xeriscaping?
Xeriscaping is a water concious focus to landscape design. Many xeriscaping practices focus on bringing in plants and decorative areas without plants to reduce the need for water in a landscape. Many yards in warmer climates use this landscape style to reduce what could be extreme water consumption to keep grass green in incredibly hot weather. You may find succulents and cacti expertly planted amidst gravel filler. What about using this landscape design idea in the Pacific Northwest?
Is Xeriscaping a Good Idea in the Pacific Northwest?
Though xeriscaping is more widely used in locations like the desert spaces of California or the hot and arid climate of Arizona, a xeriscape design approach can be used in the Pacific Northwest with great success.
Tips for Xeriscaping
Use Careful and thoughtful planning
Make sure to start out with a plan. Not just the thought to change to a xeriscape design, but a thorough, organised plan about what plants you will use and where they will be placed.
Take note of what areas in your yard receive shade and what plants don’t require too much sunshine. Drought-resistant plants often like areas that get plenty of sun. Also, get to know what plants are native to where your home is located. You want plants that already thrive in the landscape.
Knowing the type and condition of your soil is important to determine what plants are best for your yard. You may need to employ some soil improvement measures so that your new design will be successful.
What Are Great Drought Tolerant Plants for the Pacific Northwest?
Lavender
Lavender is a beautiful and low-maintenance plant that not only looks amazing. It smells amazing. Not everybody loves the smell of lavender, but it is calm and relaxing and can attract area pollinators, which is another bonus for eco-friendly landscaping. It is incredibly easy to keep lavender healthy, and it is quite possibly one of the most beautiful and Pacific Northwest-friendly plants to use in your landscape, no matter the design.
Sedum
Sedum is a beautiful type of succulent that looks like tiny green roses. This gorgeous succulent thrives with little to no water, and it can grow nicely in a Pacific Northwest location. Make sure to check out other succulent varieties that are great in the Pacific Northwest as well. Succulents are popular because they are very aesthetically pleasing yet incredibly low-maintenance.
Ornamental Grasses
Ornamental grasses are not the standard green grass lawn type of grasses. These are grasses that grow taller and have more of a design appeal to them. You often find them growing natively along the coastline in some areas of the state. Ornamental grasses bring visual interest, as well as height interest, making them a great visual addition to any landscape, especially xeriscape design.
If you need help with your landscape, especially when it comes to designing a great landscape that looks amazing and demands less upkeep and maintenance to remain beautiful. It is a good idea to consult the expertise of a landscaping professional.
If you want to take your yard and garden from great to amazing, contact the landscape designers at First Fruits Landscaping. Let’s get started turning your yard into a work of art that not only looks great but also functions well for your lifestyle. We provide landscaping services in Snohomish County and King County.