Many people mistakenly believe that a xeriscaped landscape means sacrificing greenery and color for a bland, dry garden. However, nothing could be further from the truth. Xeriscaping (not to be confused with Zeroscaping) is a type of drought-resistant landscaping that uses plants that flourish with little to no supplemental water.
Lifescape Colorado provides drought-resistant landscaping in Colorado that yield colorful landscapes with year-round interest. Best of all, this eco-friendly choice conserves water, which is very critical in arid climates.
Here are five environmental benefits of xeriscaping as a sustainable landscape design.
Water conservation. The first and most obvious benefit of a xeriscape is that it requires very little water. This is essential in an era plagued by low rain and snowfall, especially when the Denver water department is as stressed as it is. In a well-executed xeriscape, you can reduce water usage by as much as 70 percent!
The less you depend on water to enhance your landscape, the better. Having healthy plants through efficient watering not only saves water for the environment but also saves you money. The good news is that drought-resistant plants can thrive in low-water environments and still provide green foliage and colorful blooms.
Preserve native plants. Oftentimes, indigenous plants are shoved out of the way in order to make way for plants that don’t do nearly as well in their new environment. Most xeriscape designs will highlight Colorado native plants for landscaping. These drought-tolerant plants can thrive from season to season with minimal care.
No fertilization is required. One of the natural benefits of using eco-friendly landscaping in Colorado is the plants’ ability to grow without fertilizer. You may choose to use a fertilizer initially to give new plantlings a boost. However, once established, the plants will do well on their own with little need for soil amendments.
Reduce pesticide use. Because native plants adapt to their environment, they are less susceptible to local pests. This reduces the need for pesticides, creating a more environmentally-friendly landscape.
Help local wildlife. Much of our Colorado wildlife depends on native plants as a food source. Likewise, our native plants rely on wildlife to assist with pollination and seed distribution. By dedicating at least a portion of your landscape to native plants, you’ll benefit from all the birds, butterflies, and other wildlife your garden will attract.
Contact the professionals at Lifescape Colorado about our Colorado xeriscaping service to design your eco-friendly landscape today.