How Well Does Xeriscape Landscaping Work in Albuquerque?
Xeriscaping is a great landscaping idea that combines practical, water-conserving elements with gorgeous creative design. It uses native plants that thrive in the area’s natural climate and reduce or even eliminate the need for irrigation. The result? A beautiful, sustainable, and low-maintenance xeriscape yard that accentuates the Southwestern-style beauty of New Mexico and Albuquerque
Why Xeriscaping Has Become So Popular
Xeriscaping has been very popular for over three decades, as homeowners and businesses across the Southwest take advantage of the many advantages of water-conscious landscape design. With increasing drought conditions and high-water rates, the Southwest is on the forefront of water conservation. Albuquerque was one of the first major cities in the country to promote xeriscaping, and the Albuquerque Water Utility Authority still actively promotes xeriscaping and other water-saving landscaping ideas.
Beautiful, Smart, and Budget-Friendly
One of the things that people love most about xeriscape landscaping is that it is good for the environment while also saving money. Because xeriscaping uses plants that are native to the area and the area’s natural climate, it requires minimal amounts of watering and maintenance. Xeriscaping uses cactus, yucca, or buffalo grass, and traditional lawns or high-water plants are often replaced with gravel, decorative stone, and other drought-tolerant, native plants. Xeriscaping is not just strikingly beautiful and easy to take care of; it also is an excellent way to reduce your water bills.
Xeriscaping also offers a wide range of colorful and stunning drought-resistant plants. You can have everything from bold desert plants with interesting textures to stunning, colorful succulents and native flowering plants.
Xeriscaping: A Smart Choice for the Desert Climate
Plants that can handle long periods of low rainfall are called xerophytes. Xerophytes have evolved over many years to thrive in dry, desert conditions like the ones Albuquerque have, providing landscapers with a variety of interesting and beautiful plants to work with. Cactus is often the most associated with the xeriscaping trend. However, cactus is just the beginning.
Some other common xeriscape-friendly plants are:
- Sedums (Sedum spp.)
- Hens-and-chicks (Sempervivum tectorum)
- Hardy ice plant (Delosperma cooperi)
- Moss rose (Portulaca grandiflora)
- Corsican stonecrop
- Candytuft
- Moss phlox
- Mossy saxifrage
Xerophytes not only save water; they are also full of color and can add vibrancy and year-round interest to your yard.
Save Water, Save Money, and Reduce Maintenance
One of the most exciting advantages to xeriscaping is the reduction in water usage it affords. Some estimates suggest that xeriscaping can reduce water use by 75% to 90%—that’s a significant amount of money saved each year! In fact, many municipalities offer rebates or incentives for replacing a traditional lawn with a xeriscape yard.
In addition, while some xeriscapes use highly efficient drip irrigation to reduce water use, many xeriscape yards require very little water at all. Modern drip systems can even be set to water only the roots of the plants with no overspray or evaporation, ensuring that no water is wasted. Furthermore, xeriscape yards require much less maintenance and upkeep than traditional grass lawns.
Ready to Transform Your Yard?
Xeriscaping is a great, attractive, and money-saving way to add curb appeal to your Albuquerque home. If you love a great desert-style landscape or a combination of colorful and attractive low-water plants, contact the pros at R & S Landscaping for a free consultation and quote.
Call us today at 505-271-8419, and let’s create a beautiful, low-water yard you’ll enjoy for years to come!