**Xeriscape in Landscape Design**

Ayten Özyavuz1 and Murat Özyavuz2

*1Namk Kemal University 2Namk Kemal University, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Landscape Architecture, Tekirdağ Turkey* 

#### **1. Introduction**

352 Landscape Planning

Turhan, 1994. Peyzaj Uygulamalarinda Büyük Bitkilerin Transplantasyonu ile ilgili Sorunlar

Ankara Üniversitesi Fen Bilimleri Enstitüsü, Yüksek Lisans Tezi. Ankara. Ürgenç, S. 1998. Genel Plantasyon ve Ağaçlandrma Tekniği. İstanbul University, University Issue No: 3997, Faculty Issue No: 444, ISBN 975 – 404 – 443 – 0.Istanbul. Zion, L.R., 1968. Trees for Architecture and the Landscape. Van Nostrant Reinhold

Company, N.Y- Cincinati, Toronto, London, Melburne.

ve Çözümlerine İlişkin Ankara'da Yaplan Çalşmalar Üzerine Bir Araştrma.

The term Xeriscape comes from the Greek word xeros, meaning dry. The concept originated in Denver, Colorado, in the early 1980s. Because of severe drought conditions, Denver had rationed water and prohibited irrigation of lawns and yards. A number of terms describe waterconserving landscaping. Among them are "xeriscaping," "low water use," "droughttolerant," waterwise," and "desert" landscaping. Xeriscaping, a widely promoted term the past several years, is a word of Greek origin with *xeros* meaning dry, combined with landscaping. Drought-tolerant indicates the ability of a plant to survive on limited water, although these plants usually look better as water is increased. With improper watering, a drought-resistant plant may become a water guzzler in the landscape. As a result, vegetation in yards withered, and Denver landscapers began promoting what they called Xeriscape, a landscaping approach that uses small amounts of water but maintains a traditional look. Since that time the Xeriscape concept has been adopted in many areas of the country experiencing drought or long term dry conditions, and actual Xeriscape practices have evolved differently in various places (Welsh, 2000). The goal of a xeriscape is to create a visually attractive landscape that uses plants selected for their water efficiency. Properly maintained, a xeriscape can easily use less than one-half the water of a traditional landscape. Once established, a xeriscape should require less maintenance than turf landscape. A Xeriscape-type landscape can reduce outdoor water consumption by as much as 50 percent without sacrificing the quality and beauty of your home environment. It is also an environmentally sound landscape, requiring less fertilizer and fewer chemicals. And a Xeriscape-type landscape is low maintenance — saving you time, effort and money. Any landscape, whether newly installed or well established, can be made more water efficient by implementing one or more of the seven steps. You do not have to totally redesign your landscape to save water. Significant water savings can be realized simply by modifying your watering schedule, learning how and when to water, using the most efficient watering methods and learning about the different water needs of plants in your landscape (Wade et al., 2002). In urban areas, about 25 percent of the water supply is used to water landscapes and gardens. In the summer, as much as 60 percent of the water the average household uses may be for landscape maintenance. Many traditional landscapes require large amounts of water, and much of this water isapplied inefficiently (Texas Agricultural Extension Service, 2003).

Xeriscape in Landscape Design 355

To begin your plan, overlay the base map and site analysis sheet with another piece of tracing paper. On this sheet indicate the *public, private* and *service* areas of your landscape. Consider how these areas will be developed based on space requirements for each activity. The *public* area is the highly visible area that most visitors see, such as the entry to the home. In a traditional landscape, this area typically receives the most care, including the most water. Therefore, the careful design of this area is important for water conservation. This area can be designed to require minimal water and maintenance without sacrificing quality or appearance. The *private* area of the landscape, usually the backyard, is where most outdoor activity occurs. It is generally the family gathering area. It may also include a vegetable garden or fruit orchard. The landscape in this area needs to be functional, attractive and durable, but it also should be designed to require less water than the public area of the landscape. The *service* area is the working or utility area of the landscape, an area usually screened from view and containing such items as garbage cans, outdoor equipment, air-conditioning units or a doghouse. In terms of routine maintenance, this area would be designed to require the least care and water of the three areas. In addition to dividing the landscape into use areas, a Xeriscape plan further divides the landscape into three water-use zones: *high* (regular watering), *moderate* (occasional watering) and *low* (natural rainfall) (Wade et al., 2002). To incorporate Xeriscape concepts into your design, some additional thought is needed. The information you generate by drawing a plot plan and doing a site analysis should be integrated to identify microclimates in your yard. Microclimates are created by differing physical and environmental conditions within the landscape. Moisture, sun, shade, air movement, and heat all contribute to create zones that have varying water

Very low water zones are of two kinds. Decks and paved areas require no water. These areas help provide recreational and living space and are very practical. However, for paved areas, you should consider using permeable materials such as bricks or paving stones rather than concrete or asphalt to encourage rain to soak into the ground rather than run off. Protected areas where the exposure and shade conditions work together to inhibit evaporation are also very low water-use zones. In these areas, irrigation is needed only to establish new plants. Existing, well-established vegetation in these zones should be retained and new vegetation should be selected on the basis of minimal water use. Because very low water zones require little or no irrigation once they're established, they offer the greatest potential for saving water. Such shaded areas not only reduce water demand, they can also

Low water zones are somewhat exposed areas that must be watered to keep plants flourishing but where water can be conserved by mulching and using an efficient lowvolume irrigation system or by taking advantage of runoff from downspouts, driveways or

Moderate water zones are exposed areas with turf or plants with higher water requirements. This zone should be kept small and should be limited to focal points, such as entrance areas,

lower indoor temperatures and reduce summer cooling bills.

requirements (Welsh, 2000).

**High water-use zones** 

**Low water-use zones** 

**Moderate water-use zones** 

patios.

#### **Benefits of Xeriscape**

#### *Saves Water*

For most of North America, over 50% of residential water used is applied to landscape and lawns. Xeriscape can reduce landscape water use by 50 - 75%.

#### *Less Maintenance*

Aside from occasional pruning and weeding, maintenance is minimal. Watering requirements are low, and can be met with simple irrigation systems.

#### *No Fertilizers or Pesticides*

Using plants native to your area will eliminate the need for chemical supplements. Sufficient nutrients are provided by healthy organic soil.

#### *Improves Property Value*

A good Xeriscape can raise property values which more than offset the cost of installation. Protect your landscaping investment by drought-proofing it.

#### *Pollution Free*

Fossil fuel consumption from gas mowers is minimized or eliminated with minimal turf areas. Small turf areas can be maintained with a reel mower.

#### *Provides Wildlife Habitat*

Use of native plants, shrubs and trees offer a familiar and varied habitat for local wildlife.

#### **2. Xeriscape principles**

The seven water-saving principles of Xeriscape landscaping are not new; they have been practiced in the landscape industry for decades. Combining all seven into a comprehensive program of landscape water conservation is what makes Xeriscape landscaping unique. The principles are (Smith and Larson, 2003; Wade et al., 2002; Welsh, 1999; Welsh, 2000);


#### **2.1 Planning and design**

The first step in planning a water-efficient landscape is the process of the site analysis (Kelly, et al., 1991) One of the most important steps is to plan your landscape design. First assess the topography and determine drainage patterns. Examine your site conditions and pinpoint both shady and sunny areas. Decide whether any of the existing vegetation should be preserved. A base map is a plan of the property drawn to scale on graph paper showing the location of the house, its orientation to the sun, other structures on the site, unusual features such as stone outcroppings and existing vegetation (Wade et al., 2002).

For most of North America, over 50% of residential water used is applied to landscape and

Aside from occasional pruning and weeding, maintenance is minimal. Watering

Using plants native to your area will eliminate the need for chemical supplements. Sufficient

A good Xeriscape can raise property values which more than offset the cost of installation.

Fossil fuel consumption from gas mowers is minimized or eliminated with minimal turf

Use of native plants, shrubs and trees offer a familiar and varied habitat for local wildlife.

The seven water-saving principles of Xeriscape landscaping are not new; they have been practiced in the landscape industry for decades. Combining all seven into a comprehensive program of landscape water conservation is what makes Xeriscape landscaping unique. The principles are (Smith and Larson, 2003; Wade et al., 2002; Welsh,

The first step in planning a water-efficient landscape is the process of the site analysis (Kelly, et al., 1991) One of the most important steps is to plan your landscape design. First assess the topography and determine drainage patterns. Examine your site conditions and pinpoint both shady and sunny areas. Decide whether any of the existing vegetation should be preserved. A base map is a plan of the property drawn to scale on graph paper showing the location of the house, its orientation to the sun, other structures on the site, unusual

features such as stone outcroppings and existing vegetation (Wade et al., 2002).

lawns. Xeriscape can reduce landscape water use by 50 - 75%.

Protect your landscaping investment by drought-proofing it.

areas. Small turf areas can be maintained with a reel mower.

nutrients are provided by healthy organic soil.

requirements are low, and can be met with simple irrigation systems.

**Benefits of Xeriscape** 

*Saves Water* 

*Less Maintenance* 

*No Fertilizers or Pesticides* 

*Improves Property Value* 

*Provides Wildlife Habitat* 

**2. Xeriscape principles** 

1999; Welsh, 2000);

 Soil analysis Practical turf areas

Planning and design

 Efficient irrigation Use of mulches

Appropriate plant selection

Appropriate maintenance

**2.1 Planning and design** 

*Pollution Free* 

To begin your plan, overlay the base map and site analysis sheet with another piece of tracing paper. On this sheet indicate the *public, private* and *service* areas of your landscape. Consider how these areas will be developed based on space requirements for each activity. The *public* area is the highly visible area that most visitors see, such as the entry to the home. In a traditional landscape, this area typically receives the most care, including the most water. Therefore, the careful design of this area is important for water conservation. This area can be designed to require minimal water and maintenance without sacrificing quality or appearance. The *private* area of the landscape, usually the backyard, is where most outdoor activity occurs. It is generally the family gathering area. It may also include a vegetable garden or fruit orchard. The landscape in this area needs to be functional, attractive and durable, but it also should be designed to require less water than the public area of the landscape. The *service* area is the working or utility area of the landscape, an area usually screened from view and containing such items as garbage cans, outdoor equipment, air-conditioning units or a doghouse. In terms of routine maintenance, this area would be designed to require the least care and water of the three areas. In addition to dividing the landscape into use areas, a Xeriscape plan further divides the landscape into three water-use zones: *high* (regular watering), *moderate* (occasional watering) and *low* (natural rainfall) (Wade et al., 2002). To incorporate Xeriscape concepts into your design, some additional thought is needed. The information you generate by drawing a plot plan and doing a site analysis should be integrated to identify microclimates in your yard. Microclimates are created by differing physical and environmental conditions within the landscape. Moisture, sun, shade, air movement, and heat all contribute to create zones that have varying water requirements (Welsh, 2000).

#### **High water-use zones**

Very low water zones are of two kinds. Decks and paved areas require no water. These areas help provide recreational and living space and are very practical. However, for paved areas, you should consider using permeable materials such as bricks or paving stones rather than concrete or asphalt to encourage rain to soak into the ground rather than run off. Protected areas where the exposure and shade conditions work together to inhibit evaporation are also very low water-use zones. In these areas, irrigation is needed only to establish new plants. Existing, well-established vegetation in these zones should be retained and new vegetation should be selected on the basis of minimal water use. Because very low water zones require little or no irrigation once they're established, they offer the greatest potential for saving water. Such shaded areas not only reduce water demand, they can also lower indoor temperatures and reduce summer cooling bills.

#### **Low water-use zones**

Low water zones are somewhat exposed areas that must be watered to keep plants flourishing but where water can be conserved by mulching and using an efficient lowvolume irrigation system or by taking advantage of runoff from downspouts, driveways or patios.

#### **Moderate water-use zones**

Moderate water zones are exposed areas with turf or plants with higher water requirements. This zone should be kept small and should be limited to focal points, such as entrance areas,

Xeriscape in Landscape Design 357

drought periods and become dormant during hot, dry seasons. Reducing or eliminating turf areas altogether further reduces water use (United States Environmental Protection Agency, 2002). Also consider the ease of watering turf areas. Areas that are long and narrow, small, or oddly shaped are difficult to water efficiently. Confine grass to blocky, squarish areas that

Appropriate plant selection means selecting plants that not only are compatible with the design but also are well suited to the planting site and local environment. It involves selecting plants according to the soil type and light level of the site. Ideally, the plants you select should be adaptable to local fluctuations in temperature and soil moisture. Most plants have a place in Xeriscape. It is important to use healthy plants adapted to our area (that is, plants that can take hot, humid weather as well as hot, dry weather), plant them in the right place, and give careful attention to getting them well established (Figure 1). Encouraging the growth of deep roots by preparing the soil and using appropriate irrigation practices is crucial to helping plants establish themselves. Select trees, shrubs and

groundcovers that are adapted to your region's soil and climate (Wade et al., 2002).

Fig. 1. Spartium junceum L. (Deep roots) (Ganos Mountains, Tekirdağ, Turkey)

consider include (Florida's Water Manegement Districts, 2004; Wade et al., 2002)

overgrow the site and compete with other plants for space, nutrients and water? *Growth rate (Sun and shade requirements, soil needs, water needs, sat and cold tolerances)* 

**Mature size and form (height and width)** 

little routine pruning.

*Texture* 

Native plants are not necessarily the most drought tolerant. Even though a plant may be native to the area, it may not adapt to an adverse new environment (microclimate). When forced to grow in a harsh new environment, native plants can become a high-maintenance nightmare. In addition to the adaptability of a plant to the site, other important criteria to

Will the plant remain in scale with the rest of the landscape as it matures, or will it likely

Slow-growing dwarf shrubs and ground covers used around the base of the home require

Is the leaf texture fine, medium or coarse, and does it combine well with the adjacent plants?

are easier to maintain.

**2.4 Appropriate plant selection** 

and functional areas, such as lawns. Identifying water-use zones in your yard helps you to group plants with similar water needs together for watering efficiency.
