How do I Xeriscape my yard in Colorado?
Xeriscaping in Colorado: A Step by Step Guide
- 1) Observe your yard and designate sun and water zones (a.k.a. hydrozones)
- 2) Learn about drought tolerant plants that thrive Colorado.
- 3) Remove the grass lawn.
- Physical removal.
- Sheet mulching (a.k.a. lasagna method).
- 4) Plant xeric plants, add mulch and hardscape.
What can you plant in front of your house in Colorado?
8 Best Plants for Colorado Landscaping
- Rocky Mountain Columbine. It’s no wonder so many homeowners plant the official state flower of Colorado.
- Russian Sage.
- Yellow Alyssum.
- Bronze Fennel.
- Zinnia.
- Mountain Mahogany.
- Cheyenne Privet.
- Douglas Fir.
How do you plant a xeriscape garden?
How to Plant a Xeriscape Garden
- Step 1: Select Plants Native to Your Area that Require Little Watering. Ornamental grass species and flowering plants with small blooms work well in xeriscapes in most regions.
- Step 2: Choose Your Garden Site and Make a Xeriscape Plan.
- Step 3: Prepare the Soil for Your Xeriscape Garden.
Can I Xeriscape my yard?
Xeriscaping can indeed provide an effective compliment to lawns. The word “xeriscaping” (coined and trademarked in the 1980s by Denver Water) comes from the Greek xeros, meaning dry, combined with landscape. In a very rainy area like Seattle, for example, a xeriscape could feature moisture-loving ferns.
How do you xeriscape over grass?
Solarization. Kill turf with the heat of the sun by covering it with a black polyethylene sheet. If you put the sheet down in the spring, it can take 4 to 8 weeks to kill the grass. Once the grass is dead, you can plant right away without completely removing the old turf.
What zone is Colorado for planting?
If you live in the hottest parts of Colorado — like the southwest corner and parts of the Grand Junction area — you’re likely in plant hardiness zone 7. Surrounding areas are in zone 6. The majority of the Front Range is in zone 5.
What are the easiest flowers to grow in Colorado?
Oxeye Daisy: wide spread flowering plant, best for large yards or meadows. Purple Coneflower: 2-5 feet, lavender flowers, showy and easy to grow. Liatris: 1-3 feet, purple flower that blooms July, August and September. Rocky Mountain Columbine: Colorado State Flower (since 1899), easy to grow, shade or part sun.
Why xeriscaping is the right type of landscaping for a desert area?
In desert areas like Phoenix, Arizona, xeriscaping allows gardeners to plant native xerophytes such as ocotillo. Supporters of xeriscaping say it can reduce water use by 50 or 75 percent. More efficient irrigation is also achieved when types of plants with similar water needs are grouped together.
How much does it cost to xeriscape a backyard?
The average cost to xeriscape a yard ranges from $16,000-$18,000, with the average homeowner spending around $17,085 for xeriscaping a 1,200 sq. ft. yard with shrubs, groundcovers, plants, and the placement of rocks in key locations to promote water conservation.
What does Denver Water mean by xeriscape landscaping?
Xeriscape landscaping promotes water efficiency by using plants that are native and adaptable to Colorado’s semi-arid climate. Denver Water coined the word in 1981 by combining “landscape” and the Greek word “xeros,” which means dry.
What kind of plants are in xeriscape in Denver?
The Beginner’s Guide to Xeriscape in Denver. 1 1. Granita Raspberry Ice Plant. Granita Raspberry Ice Plant. Photo credit: Panayoti Kelaidis, courtesy of Plant Select. The vibrant, densely packed 2 2. Corsican Violet. 3 3. Spanish Gold Broom. 4 4. Korean Feather Reed Grass. 5 5. Desert Moss.
Can you put xeriscape on your grass in Colorado?
One of the best things you can do for Colorado and for the planet is to replace your grass lawn with xeriscape, so this is a really important step and we can certainly help make things easier on you with our turf replacement program. There are a few ways you can remove your grass lawn before planting your xeric plants: Physical removal.
What to do about xeriscaping in the west?
“Xeriscape” has been a buzzword in the drought-ridden west for several years now, but as we face summers that are getting drier and hotter in Colorado, it’s becoming more important than ever to buckle down on replacing water-hungry grass lawns with drought-tolerant plants and xeric gardens.