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Always group plants together according to their needs for water, sun and soils. By grouping plants with similar water needs together in zones you can use water more efficiently. There is a large range of xeriscape plants available offering year round interest. As you begin to make plant selections you’ll want to take into account the differences between the cool, shady north and east sides of the house and the hot, sunny south and west exposures. All plants require regular watering until they are established.

This is the mini-oasis that uses the most water and typically is the high activity area close to the house. Often it is comprised of a small area of lawn (high water use) balanced by patios and paving that need no water. Ornamental planting in this zone requires moderate amounts of irrigation. Even though this zone uses the most water of a xeriscape, it still demands less than the traditional approach.

Growing plants in this zone requires more water than is available from natural precipitation. During the period of establishment these plants will need frequent irrigation but ultimately they will use small amounts of irrigation during dry periods.

Very low watering zones rely on naturalized plantings closely matched ecologically to the environment so that they flourish with minimum encouragement and care. These plants need water (and weeding) while they get established but after this the water is turned off.