the beginning of my arid landscape
Incorporating an arid landscape plan should be top of mind for all of us, and guess what…. you don’t have to give up green!
With its hot and arid climate, Phoenix, AZ, is the perfect place to adopt water-wise landscaping. The goal of this type of landscape design is to reduce the amount of water needed to keep your yard flourishing by incorporating native and drought-tolerant plants.
I’m currently in the process of redesigning the front yard of my English Tudor in downtown Phoenix, and cannot wait for the finished product. In the meantime, I thought I would share a clients arid landscape plan to give you a litte inspiration!
arid landscape plan
This arid landscape design was made for a 1950’s ranch style home in North Central Phoenix. The lot is flood-irrigated and also has an in-ground sprinkler system. The issue is, even with regular flood irrigation, when the heat really kicks in, the owners still have to spend quite a lot of money to keep everything green and healthy with their sprinkler system. Beyond that, the cost of bi-weekly maintenance is high.
This design incorporates plenty of green, but it’s in the form of native and drought-tolerant plants and trees. For this arid landscape plan, the homeowner will use:
arid landscape plant key
A. Desert Willow – This tree loves full sun and is ofcourse drought-tolerant. And although it slightly resembles a willow, it’s not actually related.
B. Hesperaloe Nocturna – A low-maintenance evergreen accent plant, the Hesperaloe Nocturna likes full sun or part shade, and blooms in the summer.
C. Aloe Hercules – This succulent is a large and fast-growing aloe with a tree-like truck and beautiful orange flower spikes.
D. Trailing Rosemary – Trailing Rosemary is a great choice for an arid landscape! It tolerates extreme heat and sun, and is fine in the cold. It also does well in nutrient-poor soil.
E. Agave Silver Surfer – A dramatic and architectural addition to any landscape, this agave loves the sun and although it can get quite large, it grows at a moderate pace.
More Arid Landscape Plants to Consider
- Desert Marigold
- Indian Blanket Flower
- Penstemon
- Texas Sage
- Yucca
- Desert Spoon
Ready to embrace arid landscaping?
By incorporating water-wise landscape plants into your yard, you can reduce your water usage and create a beautiful, low-maintenance arid landscape that thrives in Phoenix. These plants are not only beneficial to the environment, but also to your wallet. They’re affordable, long-lasting, and require minimal upkeep. With so many beautiful native and drought-tolerant plants to choose from, there’s no excuse not to create a water-wise landscape in Phoenix.
I would love to help you cultivate your green thumb! To book a consultation, click the link on the PKG homepage or call 602-762-3266.
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