eriscaping follows seven simple principles that save WATER WISE LANDSCAPE DESIGN IN 5 EASY STEPS STARTS WITH GOOD PLANNING X water while creating a colorful landscape.

The Seven Principles of Xeriscape at a Glance Step 1: Make a base map. Step 2: Take a look at the site. Principle 1: Start with Careful Planning and Design The most important step for water conservation and beauty. Prevailing Winds Slope Block Light from Street PROPERTY LINE NOT TO SCALE Water Wise 104’ Principle 2: Use and Place Appropriately N Need Shade Drainage Select plants with attributes that fit into the design. Give Western Exposure (Hot) preference to drought-resistant plants. Group plants with similar Landscape Design Gutter water needs together. 50’ PATIO PATIO Down- spout Principle 3: Use Areas Sparingly, if Needed Wall Wall Choose a manageable size and shape. Privacy from Privacy from Neighbors HOUSE Outlet Gray Water HOUSE in Principle 4: Irrigate Efficiently Gate Zone the irrigation system so plants with different water needs Utility Box can be watered separately. Direct gray water and rainwater to plants. Expand the irrigation system as plants grow. Gutter Downspout

45’ Prevailing Principle 5: Use Soil Amendments, if Needed Winds Desert-adapted plants do not need soil amendments or . Use for annuals, vegetables, and turf areas as needed. STREET STREET

Power Line Sewer Line 5 Principle 6: Use Easy Steps Measure and draw the yard. Include existing plants, watering On the base map, note wet/dry, cold/hot, sunny/shady, A two to four-inch layer of top-dressing, like gravel or systems, property lines, utility lines, buildings, pathways, etc. windy areas, gray water outlets, land contours, etc. Look at woodchips, reduces evaporation, suppresses weeds and helps stormwater flows and where rain runs off the roof(s). keep the ground cool. Principle 7: Maintain the Landscape Properly Step 3: How will the yard be used? Step 4: Divide the yard into water use zones. Landscapes that follow the principles of require minimal maintenance.

Wildlife Transition Zones―Low to Moderate Water Use (catches draining ARIZONA COOPERATIVE Play Area Extended Patio storm water) Entertaining Mini-Oasis E TENSION Xeriscape principles can THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA COLLEGE OF AGRICULT URE AND LIFE SCIENCES Regular Water Th e Un i v e r s i t y o f Ar i z o n a be applied to a new or PATIO PATIO Service Use Co l l e g e o f Ag r i cu l tu r e a n d Li f e Sc i e n c e s existing yard to create a Area (receives Tuc s o n , Ar i z o n a 85721 gray water) Cy n d i Wi l k i n s low-maintenance and water- Instructional Specialist, Senior HOUSE HOUSE efficient landscape. Ca d o Da i l y Program Coordinator, Senior Ro b e r t E. Ca l l Area Agent Natural Partially Funded by Fort Huachuca, U.S. Army AZ1497 Public Zone Natural Zone E No Supplemental Water Use Special thanks to Diane Liggett, Cochise County Master TIV August 2009 Area (rain only) and The University of Arizona Campus

(receives roof run-off AND LIFE SCIENCES

Public PERA O Area from downspouts) Co n tact : TURE CO STREET STREET Ro b e r t E. Ca l l AGRICUL [email protected] NSION ARIZONA COLLEGE OF Design activity areas into the plan (play area, garden, Section the yard into water use zones. Plan the irrigation This information has been reviewed by University faculty. E T ARIZONA

cals.arizona.edu/pubs/garden/az1497.pdf outdoor entertaining, public areas, etc). Consider a service system based on Mini-Oasis, Transition and Natural Zones. OF Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the area to store yard equipment and a rainwater tank. U.S. Department of , James A. Christenson, Director, Cooperative Extension, College of Agriculture & Life E Sciences, The University of Arizona. cals.arizona.edu/pubs/garden/az1497.pdf The University of Arizona is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution. The University does not discriminate THE UNIVERSITY on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or sexual orientation in its Step 5: Create a master plan (see reverse). programs and activities. Xeriscapes (zir-ih-scapes) are attractive, colorful, Ideas: Many colorful, long-blooming plants Mini-Oasis – Regular water use The Master Plan low water and low maintenance landscapes. A lovely are available for Xeriscaping. Here are a few varieties Transition Zone – Low to moderate water use landscape can be designed to fit your needs and site by suitable for southwest landscapes. Natural Zone – Rainfall only Step 5: After completing Steps 1 through 4 (see reverse), following the five easy steps outlined in this brochure. put it all together into a final design. Before beginning the planning steps located on the Trees Rainwater Basin Groundcovers and Vines Dry Streambed back panel, here are a few tips to make sure your new Birdbath landscape is water-wise. Play Area Orchid Tree Desert Marigold Potted Ramada Plants Bauhinia lunariodes Baileya multiradiata Water Use Zones PATIO Rainwater Verbena Gray Harvesting Mini-Oasis – If high maintenance, regular water plants Desert Willow Water Cistern Glandularia bipinnatifida to Plant are desired, place them close to the home. Cut energy costs Chilopsis linearis Bed HOUSE by planting deciduous vines near south and west walls for summer shade and winter sun. Direct roof runoff to plantings. Little Leaf Ash Blackfoot Daisy Transition Zone – Connect the mini-oasis and natural zone Fraxinus greggii Melampodium leucanthum Rainwater with moderate and low water use trees, shrubs and perennials Basin from Rainwater Gutter and that require water once every two to three weeks—or when Trailing Indigo Bush Basin Streambed established require no supplemental watering. Plant deciduous Dalea greggii trees here to shade the house in the summer. STREET Shrubs Natural Zone – Outside the transition zone, keep existing Seminole Crape Myrtle Trailing Yellow Lantana First, draw the new structural elements (patios, walkways, vegetation or select plants that survive on rainfall. Lantana montevidensis arbors, boulders, etc.) on the plan. Then add the water Lagerstroemia indica ‘Seminole’ harvesting elements (berms, basins, catchment containers, dry streambeds, gray water). When selecting appropriate plants, Additional Tips Lynn’s Legacy Texas Sage Silver Sage keep in mind their characteristics including mature size. Finally, Leucophyllum langmaniae ‘Lynn’s Legacy’ Artemisia x ‘Powis Castle’ place the plants in the correct water use zones: mini-oasis, Water Harvesting – Greatly increase the amount of water transition, or natural. captured by sculpting the land and directing rain to planted Tombstone Rose areas. Catch and store rainwater in covered containers for later Autumn Sage Congratulations on designing a Xeriscape! use. Install a series of berms to slow, contain and divert runoff. Salvia greggii Rosa banksiae ‘Lutea’ Plant Selection – For areas with hot southern and western A landscape is a beautiful landscape! exposures, choose plants that are well adapted to the climate Black Knight Butterfly Bush Water Wise and have lower water requirements. Select plants by botanical Buddleja davidii ‘Black Knight’ Succulents name to ensure that plants with the desired characteristics are planted. Huachuca Agave Ballerina Indian Hawthorn Agave parryi var. huachucensis Mulch – Top-dress the soil with two to four inches of crushed Rhaphiolepis indica ‘Ballerina’ rock or organic mulch for weed reduction and to minimize evaporation. If desired, use breathable landscape fabric (NOT Queen Victoria Agave Red Yucca black plastic) under the mulch to block weeds while allowing Agave victoriae-reginae air and water through. If black plastic is present, poke holes in Hesperaloe parviflora it around a plant’s root zone. Pincushion Cacti Water Correctly – At the plant’s drip line, water to the root Mammillaria spp. zone depth (1 ft. for flowers, 2 ft. for shrubs, and 3 ft. for Grasses trees). Water again when a screwdriver or thin smooth metal Bear Grass rod will not penetrate the ground more than four inches. Nolina microcarpa Boulders Dry Stream Bed