Winter is coming to the Phoenix area. In other parts of the country, winter means rain or snow, but not so in the Valley of the Sun. We just get colder temperatures. So what kind of landscaping is best for our dry area? Desert landscaping is a good alternative for areas that do not get much water.
Desert landscaping is landscaping and gardening that reduces or eliminates the need for supplemental water from irrigation (its technical name is “Xeriscaping”). It is used in regions that do not have plentiful or reliable supplies of fresh water such as deserts. If you want to cut back on your usage of water, then desert landscaping may be an alternative that you would like to consider.
Desert landscaping can be different from natural landscaping because the emphasis is on selection of plants for water conservation and drier air, not necessarily selecting native plants. Plants whose natural requirements are appropriate to the local climate are emphasized and care is taken to avoid losing water to evaporation and run-off.
This does not mean, though, that these types of landscapes are ugly expanses of cactus and gravel. There are many flowering plants, attractive shrubs and drought-tolerant trees that fit nicely into a desert-themed landscape.
One of the advantages of the year-round sunshine in the desert is that there are always plants blooming; nothing hibernates for the winter. Therefore, desert landscaping can be optimized through color combinations of flowering plants. As we have discussed in the blog post “Autumn Landscaping in Arizona”, there are a variety of flowering plants that have attractive color combinations. Careful selection of these by your Chandler landscaper can result in lovely bursts of color that highlight your yard. Strategic placement of bushes and shrubs can outline a yard as well as create a natural barrier to animals.
Cacti have attractive flowers that bloom at different intervals. In addition, cacti come in many different shapes and sizes. This gives a clever Chandler landscaper various means of creating an interesting and eye-catching display. In addition, cacti (and their spikes) are well-known for deterring persons or animals that have no business crossing your yard.
Finally desert landscaping is good for dealing with the occasional rainstorm. Arizona rain happens in downpours; 3 – 5 minutes of pounding rain is the norm. Desert landscape can be strategically sloped to funnel water away from buildings and sidewalks, while remaining attractive to look at.
In short, if you would like to cut back on your water usage consider putting in desert landscaping. Water usage can be cut dramatically while maintaining an attractive and appealing yard. If you would like to learn more contact Corona Landscape today at 602-373-9100 or send us an email.
