Desert Designs & Landscaping
Landscape design in the desert does not have to mean all cactus and rock. A number of approaches will work for designing desert landscaping, depending on your preferences and maintenance tolerance. From separating your yard into "zones" and use of Xeriscape principles, to planting strictly desert native trees and shrubs, you can have a landscape design that defies the word desert. Does this Spark an idea?
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Using the Landscape Zone Technique
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The zone technique allows you to plant higher water-use plants close to the house, where they are most appreciated, transitioning to natural (native) vegetation as you go further from the house. For example, a small patch of grass right outside your patio door would be appropriate. A shade tree with a small water fountain and lush (in desert terms) plants such as Calla lily (Sunset Zones 10, 12 and 13), asparagus fern (Zone 12 and 13) and Vinca (Zones 10, 12, and 13) are good options.
As you leave this patio area, plants become more drought tolerant but can be nonnative -- for example, Senna species (Zones 12 and 13), Texas mountain laurel (Zones 10, 12 and 13) and Tombstone rose (Zones 10, 12 and 13).
Beyond the transition area would be native, undisturbed vegetation. If your property was mass graded when your home was built, you could plant desert natives, such as blue palo verde (Zones 10, 12 and 13), desert hackberry (Zones 10 and 12) and desert spoon (Zones 10, 12 and 13).
Xeriscaping
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Xeriscaping is a word created from the Greek term Xeri, for dry. Xeriscaping principles include using drought-tolerant and native plants, efficient drip irrigation, and mulching to conserve water. Good Xeriscape tree choices include desert willow (Zones 10, 12 and 13) and kidneywood (Zones 10, 12 and 13). Shrub choices include woolly butterfly bush (Zones 10, 12 and 13) and yellow bird of paradise (Zones 10, 12 and 13).
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Going Natural
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If you are lucky enough to have a home in undisturbed natural desert, there is the approach where you do not alter the landscape at all but enjoy native plants in their own environment. To add accents around your home, container planters in strategic spots can bring a spot of color. You can either use annuals, which need to be changed out several times a year, or choose perennials that will last for years. Good perennials for pots include gaura (Zones 10, 12 and 13), chocolate flower (Zones 10, 12 and 13) and angelita daisy (Zones 10, 12 and 13).
Going all Native
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If you decide to go all native, plant with a focus on wildlife. Good wildlife plants include desert hackberry (Zones 10, 12 and 13), velvet mesquite (Zones 10, 12 and 13) and prickly pear cactus (all desert zones depending on species). Do not forget to add plants that attract hummingbirds, such as penstemon (all desert zones) and pink fairy duster (zones 10, 12 and 13).
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