Xeriscape: How to Save Water Through Water-Smart Landscaping

SOUTH FLORIDA WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT

Xeriscape: How to Save Water Through Water-smart Landscaping

Did you know that half of residential water planting. You can mix organic matter such as The South Florida Water is used for outdoor irrigation? You can cut compost, peat, manure or topsoil into sandy Management District your outdoor water use substantially with soils for enrichment and to retain moisture. is a regional, governmental water-conserving plants and use of agency that oversees the 4. Have practical turf areas. Turf is the Xeriscape principles. water resources in the single largest consumer of water in a landscape. southern half of the state. Xeriscape is quality landscaping that conserves Place turf where it serves a purpose, such as It is the oldest and largest water and protects the environment. The term play areas for children or to slow stormwater of the state’s five water Xeriscaping means water-conserving, drought- runoff. Always look for drought-tolerant turf management districts. tolerant landscaping, or simply the use of the varieties. Consider mulch as an alternative to Our Mission is to manage right plant in the right place—with proper turf. Avoid long, narrow turf areas because and protect water resources maintenance and water-wise watering. they are difficult to water efficiently. of the region by balancing and improving water quality, Follow the seven fundamentals of Xeriscape 5. Water wisely. Drought-tolerant plants flood control, natural systematically and you’ll be well on your can survive mostly on rainfall. If watering systems, and water supply. way to saving water! is necessary, do it only in the early morning, and in accordance with any water restrictions, 1. Design your landscape. Careful to reduce evaporation. Remember, Florida planning is crucial to the long-term success Statutes require that all new automatic lawn of a Xeriscape landscape. You can minimize sprinkler systems must have a rain sensor your initial investment by installing your device or shut-off switch which overrides Xeriscape in phases. First, make a simple the system cycle following adequate rainfall. site plan drawing of your property. Note Water trees, shrubs, flowers and ground slopes, drainage problems and existing covers with low-volume drip or spray heads. plants and trees. Also note shaded and Water your landscape only when it shows sunny areas. Determine the areas that signs of stress or wilt. In the cool winter will be irrigated when you select plants. months, once per week is sufficient, with 2. Select the right plant for the right no rainfall. In the summer 2-3 times per area. Select and group plants according to week if it doesn’t rain. their water needs to eliminate unnecessary Sea grape 6. Use mulches. Mulches limit weed growth watering. You should have three zones in and retain moisture. Two to three inches of your site plan: mulch on garden beds and walkways also Natural zones: Plants in this area can live reduces weed growth and slows erosion. on rainfall. They can be native plants or Avoid cypress mulch. Use other organic cultivated plants that have adapted to Florida. mulches such as recycled mulch, bark chips, Low water or “drought-tolerant” zones: Plants wood shavings or pine straw/needles. in these areas can survive mostly on rainfall. 7. Properly maintain your landscape. Moderate or “oasis” water zones: These Overwatering increases the risk of plant areas require regular watering and should be disease. To encourage deep rooting and more limited as accents in your Xeriscape. Keep drought-resistance, water plants thoroughly these zones functional, such as entryways, without over-watering. turf areas and fruit or vegetable gardens. Fertilize properly: excessive fertilizer promotes 3. Analyze the soil. Determine the acid fast, but weak growth and actually increases a and alkaline levels (pH) of your soil before plant’s water needs, as does over-pruning. XERISCAPE Plants for Your Xeriscape Palms and Cycads Some people think of a desert scene when they hear “Xeriscape,” Buccaneer or Sargent’s palm (Pseudophoenix sargentii) but this is not the look of a typical Xeriscape. Some of the “Florida Cabbage palm (Sabal palmetto) Favorites” you can use for your Xeriscape landscape are listed here. Coontie (Zamia pumila) Several of them are lush and tropical-looking. They will add to the Paurotis/Everglades palm beauty of your landscape while conserving water. (Acoelorrhaphe wrightii) Consult your nursery professional for information on which of Queen sago (Cycas circinalis) Royal palm (Roystonea elata) these plants are appropriate for your region. Saw palmetto (Serenoa repens) A successfully Xeriscaped yard Thatch palm (Thrinax spp.) Trees Ferns Bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) Dahoon holly (Ilex cassine) Boston fern (Nephrolepis exaltata) Geiger tree (Cordia sebestena) Leather fern (Acrostichum danaeifolium) Gumbo Limbo (Bursera simaruba) Swamp fern (Blechnum serrulatum) Ironwood (Krugiodendron ferreum) Live oak (Quercus virginiana) Accent Grasses, Vines and Magnolia, southern Groundcovers (Magnolia grandiflora) Magnolia, sweet bay Sweet bay magnolia Bougainvillea (Bouganvillea spectabilis) (Magnolia virginiana) Coral honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens) Myrsine (Rapanea guianensis) Cordgrass (Spartina bakeri) Paradise tree (Simarouba glauca) Corky-stemmed passion-flower (Passiflora suberosa) Pigeon plum (Coccoloba diversifolia) Fakahatchee grass (Tripsacum dactyloides) Red bay (Persea borbonia) Florida gama grass (Tripsacum floridanum) Red maple (Acer rubrum) Lantana, trailing (Lantana montevidensis) Sea grape (Coccoloba uvifera) Liriope (Liriope muscari) Silver buttonwood (Conocarpus erectus var. sericeus) Mondo grass (Ophiopogon japonicus) Simpson’s stopper (Myricanthes fragrans) Purple love grass (Eragrostis spectabilis) Slash pine (Pinus elliottii) Railroad vine (Ipomoea pes-caprae) Southern red cedar (Juniperus silicicola) Sea oats (Uniola paniculata) Trumpet tree (Tabebuia spp.) Annuals/Perennials/Wildflowers Shrubs Beach sunflower (Helianthus debilis) Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana) Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) Cocoplum (Chrysobalanus icaco) Blanket flower (Gaillardia pulchella) Coral bean (Erythrina herbacea) Lantana, pineland Crinum lily (Crinum asiaticum) (Lantana depressa) Firebush (Hamelia patens) Lantana, wild (Lantana involucrata) Florida privet (Forestiera segregata) Pentas (Pentas lanceolata) Holly, Stokes dwarf (Ilex vomitoria) Porter weed Jamaica caper (Capparis cyanophallophora) (Stachytarpheta jamaicensis) Marlberry (Ardisia escallonioides) Sea oxeye daisy Necklace pod (Sophora tomentosa) (Borrichia frutescens) Walter’s viburnum (Viburnum obovatum) Spider lily (Hymenocallis latifolia) Wax myrtle (Myrica cerifera) Tickseed (Coreopsis leavenworthii) Blanket flower White indigo berry(Randia aculeata) White stopper (Eugenia axillaris) Xeriscape and save time, money, water and our Wild coffee (Psychotria nervosa) environment! For more information, go to sfwmd.gov. Wild coffee, dwarf (Psychotria ligustrifolia)

SERVICE CENTERS Martin/St. Lucie 772-223-2600 or 800-250-4100 South Florida Water Management District Big Cypress Basin/Naples Miami-Dade 3301 Gun Club Road 239-597-1505 305-377-7274 or 800-250-4300 West Palm Beach, Florida 33406 Broward Okeechobee 561-686-8800 • FL WATS 800-432-2045 954-713-3200 863-462-5260 or 800-250-4200 www.sfwmd.gov Florida Keys (Plantation Key) Orlando JR11/20/06 305-853-3219 or 800-464-5067 407-858-6100 or 800-250-4250 MAILING ADDRESS: P.O. Box 24680 Lower West Coast Palm Beach County West Palm Beach, FL 33416-4680 239-338-2929 or 800-248-1201 561-682-2283 or 800-432-2045