Glen Creighton Neighbors

XERISCAPING

Mar 14, 2003

Autumn Daniels
3/14/03

From www.xeriscape.org, I found the following which is the perfect intro for the lead up to the Xeriscaping workshop I am sponsoring for my neighbors.

The workshop will be held soon. I am asking my neighbors if you are or know a good xeriscape landscaper. Let me know so that we might coordinate participation in the seminar. You or your resource will be very valuable to creating the most informative workshop possible.

WHAT IS XERISCAPE???

Xeriscape is a systematic concept for saving water in landscaped areas. The word Xeriscape is often misspelled or mispronounced. Because the word is unusual, misconceptions may be attached to the concept. Why? The answer may be that Xeriscape represents a departure from the norm. And, perhaps a lack of understanding or knowledge leads to misconceptions. Thousands who have taken the time to become involved with the concept of Xeriscape will attest that information as contained in this web-site will alleviate misconceptions and begin a new beautiful vision of landscaping for the future.

Is there a positive in the negative? Jim Knopf, ASLA (American Society of Landscape Architects), of Boulder, Colorado suggests the following considerations (The photos speak for themselves):


Xeriscape is NOT dry only.
Even though dry-only landscaping can be quite spectacularly colorful, and even lush, limited areas of more highly-watered landscape are completely consistent with wise water use. For example, heavily-irrigated athletic field turf makes sense, since it recovers quickly from heavy use.

?¿½ Charles Mann
Xeriscape is NOT just rocks and gravel.
Although dry (xeric) rock gardens can be truly marvelous, there are many wonderful choices other than rock for the xeric portions of Xeriscape designs. Xeric implies no added water. By definition, Xeriscape means some water applied in well-controlled amounts and locations in the landscape.

Xeriscape is NOT necessarily lawn-less landscaping.
Some lawn, even of species that are more highly watered, can be consistent with wise water use. "Less-lawn landscaping", rather than "Lawn-less landscaping" is an appropriate statement.

Xeriscape is NOT native plants only.
Although there are vast arrays of wonderful plants indigenous to all regions, non-invasive introduced plants, that are well-adapted to the local regional climate, are wonderful additions to landscaping that uses water frugally. For example, many iris, tulips, and even roses are examples of introduced plants that are well adapted to nonirrigated landscaping in the Rocky Mountain region.

Xeriscape is NOT a boring mono-culture of spiny plants.
On the contrary, well planned Xeriscapes are splendid examples of the beauty and diversity that make neighbors envious. For more information on Xeriscape and other horicultural topics, please click on www.planttalk.org.


Copyright ?¿½ XERISCAPE COLORADO!, INC.
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Look for workshop Date, Time, Location and Sponsorship information on the Neighborhood Calendar, via postcard and in upcoming newsletters.