Xeriscape is a type of landscaping that conserves water and protects the
environment. The term Xeriscaping means water-conserving, drought-tolerant
landscaping. Xeriscape (pronounced “zer’-ah-scape”) comes from a
combination of the Greek word "Xeros" meaning dry and "scape" as in
"landscape". Some people mistakenly call it "zeroscape", because "xeriscape"
is pronounced as if it begins with the letter “Z”.
Xeriscaped landscaping in Florida does not mean tearing out the lawn and
putting in rocks and desert plants such as cacti, euphorbia, and agaves.
Rather, properly approached, a xeriscaped landscape will allow you to use a
wide variety of plants, but insists on common-sense measures that will help to
conserve water, such as grouping plants with similar water requirements
together, reducing the use of lawn grass, (lawn grass is one of the largest
users of water in the landscape and one of the largest foes in the battle to
conserve water) and using indigenous plants (plants which are adapted to the
local climate and require less water than exotics usually do). Plants most suited
to xeriscaped landscaping are sometimes referred to as "xeric" plants.
The following is a list of “Florida Favorites” that can be used for xeriscaped
landscapes.
There are 7 fundamentals of Xeriscape.
1.Design your landscape: Careful planning is crucial to the long-term
success of a Xeriscape landscape. Minimize you initial investment by installing
your Xeriscape in phases. First, make a simple site plan drawing of your
property. Note slopes, drainage problems and existing plants and trees. Also
note shaded and sunny areas. Determine the areas that will be irrigated when
you select plants.
2.Select the right plant for the right area: Select and group plants,
according to their water needs to eliminate unnecessary watering. You should
have three zones in your site plan:
Natural Zones: plants which can live on rainfall.
Low water or “drought-tolerant” zones: Plants that can survive mostly on rainfall.
Moderate or “oasis” water zones: These areas require regular watering and
should be limited as accents in your Xeriscape.
3.Analyze the soil: Determine the acid and alkaline levels (pH) of your soil
before planting. You can mix organic matter such as compost, peat, manure or
topsoil into sandy soils for enrichment and to retain moisture.
4.Have practical turf areas: Turf is the single largest consumer of water in a
landscape. Place turf where it serves a purpose, such as play areas for
children or to slow storm water runoff.
5.Water wisely: Drought-tolerant plants can survive mostly on rainfall. If
watering is necessary, do it only in the early morning and in accordance with
any water restrictions, to reduce evaporation. Remember, Florida Statues
require that all new automatic lawn sprinkler systems must have a rain sensor
device or shut-off switch which overrides the system cycle following adequate
rainfall. Water your landscape only when it shows signs of stress or wilt.
6.Use mulches: Mulches limit weed growth and retain moisture. 2 to 3 inches
of mulch on garden beds and walkways also reduces weed growth and slows
erosion.
7.Properly maintain your landscape: Over watering increases the risk of
plant disease. Fertilize properly because excessive fertilizer promotes fast, but
weak growth and actually increase a plant’s water needs, as does over-pruning.
environment. The term Xeriscaping means water-conserving, drought-tolerant
landscaping. Xeriscape (pronounced “zer’-ah-scape”) comes from a
combination of the Greek word "Xeros" meaning dry and "scape" as in
"landscape". Some people mistakenly call it "zeroscape", because "xeriscape"
is pronounced as if it begins with the letter “Z”.
Xeriscaped landscaping in Florida does not mean tearing out the lawn and
putting in rocks and desert plants such as cacti, euphorbia, and agaves.
Rather, properly approached, a xeriscaped landscape will allow you to use a
wide variety of plants, but insists on common-sense measures that will help to
conserve water, such as grouping plants with similar water requirements
together, reducing the use of lawn grass, (lawn grass is one of the largest
users of water in the landscape and one of the largest foes in the battle to
conserve water) and using indigenous plants (plants which are adapted to the
local climate and require less water than exotics usually do). Plants most suited
to xeriscaped landscaping are sometimes referred to as "xeric" plants.
The following is a list of “Florida Favorites” that can be used for xeriscaped
landscapes.
There are 7 fundamentals of Xeriscape.
1.Design your landscape: Careful planning is crucial to the long-term
success of a Xeriscape landscape. Minimize you initial investment by installing
your Xeriscape in phases. First, make a simple site plan drawing of your
property. Note slopes, drainage problems and existing plants and trees. Also
note shaded and sunny areas. Determine the areas that will be irrigated when
you select plants.
2.Select the right plant for the right area: Select and group plants,
according to their water needs to eliminate unnecessary watering. You should
have three zones in your site plan:
Natural Zones: plants which can live on rainfall.
Low water or “drought-tolerant” zones: Plants that can survive mostly on rainfall.
Moderate or “oasis” water zones: These areas require regular watering and
should be limited as accents in your Xeriscape.
3.Analyze the soil: Determine the acid and alkaline levels (pH) of your soil
before planting. You can mix organic matter such as compost, peat, manure or
topsoil into sandy soils for enrichment and to retain moisture.
4.Have practical turf areas: Turf is the single largest consumer of water in a
landscape. Place turf where it serves a purpose, such as play areas for
children or to slow storm water runoff.
5.Water wisely: Drought-tolerant plants can survive mostly on rainfall. If
watering is necessary, do it only in the early morning and in accordance with
any water restrictions, to reduce evaporation. Remember, Florida Statues
require that all new automatic lawn sprinkler systems must have a rain sensor
device or shut-off switch which overrides the system cycle following adequate
rainfall. Water your landscape only when it shows signs of stress or wilt.
6.Use mulches: Mulches limit weed growth and retain moisture. 2 to 3 inches
of mulch on garden beds and walkways also reduces weed growth and slows
erosion.
7.Properly maintain your landscape: Over watering increases the risk of
plant disease. Fertilize properly because excessive fertilizer promotes fast, but
weak growth and actually increase a plant’s water needs, as does over-pruning.
Xeriscape: Water-Smart Landscaping
Plants for your Xeriscape
Information provided by South Florida Water Management District.
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TREES
Bald Cypress
Dahoon Holly
Geiger Tree
Gumbo Limbo
Ironwood
Live Oak
Southern Magnolia
Sweet Bay Magnolia
Myrsine
Paradise Tree
Pigeon Plum
Red Bay
Red Maple
Sea Grape
Silver Buttonwood
Simpson’s Stopper
Slash Pine
Southern Red Cedar
Trumpet Tree
PALMS & CYCADS
Buccaneer or Sargent’s Palm
Cabbage Palm
Coontie
Paurotis/Everglades Palm
Queen Sago
Royal Palm
Saw Palmetto
Thatch Palm
ANNUALS/PERENNIALS/WILDFLOWERS
Beach Sunflower
Black-Eyed Susan
Blanket Flower
Lantana, Pineland
Lantana, Wild
Pentas
Porter Weed
Sea Oxeye Daisy
Spider Lily
Tickseed
Bald Cypress
Dahoon Holly
Geiger Tree
Gumbo Limbo
Ironwood
Live Oak
Southern Magnolia
Sweet Bay Magnolia
Myrsine
Paradise Tree
Pigeon Plum
Red Bay
Red Maple
Sea Grape
Silver Buttonwood
Simpson’s Stopper
Slash Pine
Southern Red Cedar
Trumpet Tree
PALMS & CYCADS
Buccaneer or Sargent’s Palm
Cabbage Palm
Coontie
Paurotis/Everglades Palm
Queen Sago
Royal Palm
Saw Palmetto
Thatch Palm
ANNUALS/PERENNIALS/WILDFLOWERS
Beach Sunflower
Black-Eyed Susan
Blanket Flower
Lantana, Pineland
Lantana, Wild
Pentas
Porter Weed
Sea Oxeye Daisy
Spider Lily
Tickseed
SHRUBS
Beautyberry
Cocoplum
Coral Bean
Crinum Lily
Firebush
Florida Privet
Holly, Stokes dwarf
Jamaica Caper
Marlberry
Necklace Pod
Walter’s Viburnum
Wax Myrtle
White Indigo Berry
White Stopper
Wild Coffee
Wild Coffee, Dwarf
ACCENT GRASSES, VINES AND
GROUNDCOVERS
Bougainvillea
Coral Honeysuckle
Cordgrass
Corky-stemmed Passion-Flower
Fakahatchee Grass
Florida Gama Grass
Lantana, Trailing
Liriope
Mondo Grass
Purple Love Grass
Railroad Vine
Sea Oats
FERNS
Boston Fern
Leather Fern
Swamp Fern
CACTI AND AGAVES
Prickly pear
Coastal prickly pear
Spanish bayonet
Adam's needle
Bear-grass
Beautyberry
Cocoplum
Coral Bean
Crinum Lily
Firebush
Florida Privet
Holly, Stokes dwarf
Jamaica Caper
Marlberry
Necklace Pod
Walter’s Viburnum
Wax Myrtle
White Indigo Berry
White Stopper
Wild Coffee
Wild Coffee, Dwarf
ACCENT GRASSES, VINES AND
GROUNDCOVERS
Bougainvillea
Coral Honeysuckle
Cordgrass
Corky-stemmed Passion-Flower
Fakahatchee Grass
Florida Gama Grass
Lantana, Trailing
Liriope
Mondo Grass
Purple Love Grass
Railroad Vine
Sea Oats
FERNS
Boston Fern
Leather Fern
Swamp Fern
CACTI AND AGAVES
Prickly pear
Coastal prickly pear
Spanish bayonet
Adam's needle
Bear-grass
| 2790 S. Flamingo Rd., Davie, FL 33330 | Ph: (954) 370-1110 | Fax: (954) 370-1152 E-Mail: sales@flplantwarehouse.com |