Water Use It Wisely Low Water-Use Plants

More than any other factor, the plants you choose determine the look of your landscape, and they determine how water-wise your landscape can be. To achieve the most water-efficiency, choose plants adapted to your area, plant them in the right place using the principles of water-wise landscape design, and help them get established by using the watering practices in our blogs.

Put Low Water-Use Plants On Your Spring Plans

Plants that are adapted to long, dry summers and short, rainy winters are called “Mediterranean-zone” plants. These include plants that are native to Arizona, as well as those that originated in southern Europe, South America, and other “Mediterranean” climates. These plants don’t need much water in the summer and have thrived in water-scarce conditions for thousands of years.

The plants listed below are appropriate for Arizona’s climate and use less water than what you may already have in your garden. This list is a good representation of low-water-consuming plants that are easily available. Check with your local nursery for its suggestions about what is best suited to your area.

Trees

    Arbutus unedo (Strawberry Tree)

    Chitalpa tashkentensis (Chitalpa)

    Geijera parviflora (Australian Willow)

    Laurus nobilis (Sweet Bay)

    Olea europaea ‘Swan Hill’ (Swan Hill Olive)

    Pinus eldarica (Afghan Pine)

    Prosopsis chilensis (Chilean Mesquite)

    Quercus agrifolia (Coast Live Oak)

    Rhus lancea (African Sumac)

Turf

    Buchloe dactyloides (Buffalograss)

    Cynodon dactylon (Hybrid Bermudagrass)

    Zoysia ‘Victoria’ (Victoria Zoysiagrass)

Ground Cover

    Acacia redolens ‘Desert Carpet’

    (Dwarf Prostrate Acacia)

    Achillea species (Yarrow)

    Baccharis species (Coyote Brush)

    Cotoneaster dammeri (Bearberry Cotoneaster)

    Lampranthus species (Ice Plant)

    Lantana montevidensis (Trailing Lantana)

    Myoporum parvifolium (Myoporum)

    Sedum species (Stonecrop)

There are two factors that make a plant appropriate for a water-wise landscape: water conserving and drought tolerance. Water-conserving plants hold on longer to the water they receive. This is especially important for the grass in your lawn. Bermuda is an example of a water-conserving turf grass. Drought-tolerant plants can go for a long time without water. They simply don’t need as much water.

So the best plants for a water-wise landscape are trees, shrubs and groundcover that require little water once they’re established, and hold on to the water they get.

Check with your neighborhood nursery or cooperative extension, to learn about the best water-wise plants for our region.

It doesn’t matter to us whether you want commercial desert landscaping, lush lawns or some type of landscaping in between, we can help.  We serve businesses like yours all over the Phoenix Metro Area. To find out how give us a call at 623-848-8277.

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Greens Keeper Landscape Maintenance, LLC

623-848-8277

http://www.commerciallandscapecare.com

greenskeeperllc@cox.net