The practice of conserving water through landscaping is called xeriscaping. By planting hardy plants that can survive without a lot of water, you are beautifying a drought landscape without the need for irrigation. This saves you money on water costs, is good for the environment, and helps to impress potential customers or clients.
A perennial is a plant that keeps coming back year after year. Many perennials are adapted to drought conditions. This makes them good for a xeriscape because you don't have to replant them every year, which saves you time. Here are some of the best perennial plants to use for xeriscaping.
Growing Echinacea requires very little work on your part because they do not require fertilization, are drought resistant, and can grow even in poor soil as long as they receive full sunlight. Echinacea resemble daisies but with more colorful flowers and can grow to be up to five feet tall. Also know as coneflowers, Echinacea bloom from mid-summer to early fall and are beloved by pollinators.
Hens and Chicks consist of one large rosette surrounded by multiple offspring. As succulent plants that require very little water, they grow best in rocky soil and full sunlight. The leaves of Hens and Chicks are often green with tips of red or pink.
Consider planting Lady's Mantle if you are looking for a low-maintenance plant that is versatile enough to grow in either the shade or full sunlight. To keep your landscape beautiful for the entire season, it is good to plant perennials that bloom at different times, and Lady's Mantle blooms from late spring to early summer, at which point plants like Echinacea can take over for it. The flowers of Lady's Mantle are yellow-green in color, and the leaves are scallop-shaped and soft. Lady's mantle grows in clumps and only needs to be watered often during high temperatures or if planted in full sun.
There are over 45 species of Lavender and 10 times as many different varieties. Hidcote Lavender is also known as English Lavender or True Lavender and is very common throughout the higher latitudes. Like Echinacea, Hidcote Lavender is not only drought resistant but also popular with pollinators such as butterflies. Lavender is also prized for spikes of dark purple flowers and its clean, long-lasting scent. It is a perfect choice for western climates because of its preference for well-drained soil and hot, dry air. Hidcote Lavender grows up to 20 inches tall and blooms in late spring or early summer. If cut promptly, Lavender may bloom more than once per season.
Yarrow is a good plant to grow alongside Hidcote Lavender. Both plants thrive under the same conditions, i.e., full sun and well-drained soil. Yarrow blooms from mid-summer to fall, so it can take over when Lavender blooms start to fade. The flowers can bloom in many different colors and grow in tight clusters, making an interesting visual contrast to the tall spikes of the Hidcote Lavender. The leaves of the Yarrow plant are aromatic and in ancient times were believed to have healing properties. In Greek mythology, Achilles used Yarrow to heal his soldier's wounds following a battle, which accounts for its other name of Achillea. Yarrow can grow to be between two to four feet tall.
Monarch Landscaping is committed to sustainability, responsibility, and water management. Xeriscaping for commercial properties, municipal parks, apartment complexes, and community spaces is an important aspect of meeting that commitment. Find out more about the services we offer. We would love to talk to you about how we can help you achieve your goals for your landscape.
