Whether installing a new landscape or retrofitting an existing landscape, water-saving options are available.
Xeriscape is a creative and water-conscious landscape. Xeriscape started in Colorado as part of a regionally-adapted gardening style, and there are many local xeriscape information resources.
Brochures and fact sheets are available from botanic gardens and water utilities, and Colorado State University Extension offices carry a series of information sheets. Libraries are a good source for books on water-conscious gardening, including several books written by local authors. The Denver Botanic Gardens’ library holds a large collection of xeriscape gardening publications.
Because nothing beats seeing live examples of xeriscape landscapes and gardens, communities, including Fort Collins, Lakewood, Aurora, Trinidad, Sterling and Grand Junction, have planted demonstration gardens. Call Denver’s water conservation hotline at (303) 628-6343 for referrals to gardens and available brochures.
Xeriscape seminars and classes are regularly held by local water utility companies, parks departments, Colorado State University Extension offices, Denver Botanic Gardens, garden centers, nurseries, and community schools and colleges. Contact these groups for the current class and seminar schedules. Joining the organization Xeriscape™ Colorado, and receiving its newsletter are good ways to discover current xeriscape ideas.
Most Colorado garden centers and nurseries have separate xeriscape plant sections featuring plants that need less water. Many garden designers and landscape architects are well versed in xeriscape garden design.
By using all available resources, it’s easy to create a xeriscape garden well suited to Colorado.
For more information, see the following Colorado State University Extension fact sheet(s).
- Xeriscaping: Creative Landscaping
- Xeriscaping: Trees and Shrubs
- Xeriscaping: Ground Cover Plants
- Ornamental Grasses
- Xeriscaping: Retrofit Your Yard
