A drought tolerant front yard landscaping idea is the easiest to maintain and the most attractive. In dry conditions, plants will wilt. Even beautiful flowers and plants can wither away if a yard is devoid of moisture. Watering with a sprinkler or hose in these conditions can be difficult and even dangerous. But there are options.
One option is to use drought tolerant landscaping plants. These plants have greater water-conserving ability than their non-drought counterparts, which can often spell disaster for a garden landscape design. It is better to use drought-tolerant plants that are well-known, rather than those that you just happen to like at the last minute. If you try to save money by planting succulents or other “succulent” plants that are not native to your area, you may end up with an unpleasant surprise, in more ways than one.
A good example of a drought tolerant front yard landscape idea that can save you money is stone mulch. If you have a lawn that never really grows, or does very poorly, you might want to consider using stone mulch to help conserve water. Stone mulch has been shown to assist in increasing the turf retention of soil in dry climates, which will increase the amount of time the grass can stay on the ground. By increasing the turf retention, the lawn can remain lush all year long, and you do not have to worry about the unsightly, costly turf removal that often occurs after heavy rain.
xeriscaping, also known as “xeriscaping,” can provide a nice, even look for your landscape. You might consider planting grass in the same place that you have flower beds, if you are trying to conserve water. If you have flowers that are extremely tall and set high, you could place those plants in the grass spaces between the flower beds. This type of arrangement will help conserve moisture, keep weeds from growing, and provide a nice contrast to your landscape design.
Of course, this type of landscaping can also be done in the traditional manner, if you prefer. Many people who live in extremely dry areas make their entire front yard “xeriscaped” when they plant grass and shrubs around the base of trees, hills, or any other structure. It might take some time and some planning, but it can be a very pleasant and aesthetic addition to your home.
In many cases, native plants provide a healthy, beautiful addition to your landscape. However, there are some things you should know before planting natives. First, the shrubs and grass that you plant should be of a hearty type. This means the grass has enough toughness to survive being weeded by local birds and insects. It also means that the shrubs and grass have enough width to withstand water loss. Native plants should be potted into large pots and placed in an area away from trees and fences.
For your landscaping design, it’s important to use mulch. While many people think of this as providing an added layer of protection for the roots of the plants, it can actually help plants flourish even in drier climates. The mulch prevents soil erosion and helps plants stay healthy and disease-free. Unfortunately, not all mulch is created equal.
In order to get the best benefits from drought plants and lawns, you need to select plants that are suited to your climate and the area in which you live. For example, if you live in a hot, dry climate, you should choose grasses that are cool-season grasses, such as fences and rye, among others. These plants are more tolerant of moisture loss and therefore can help prevent loss of turf due to water loss. For shady areas, such as coastal areas, red oak or sugar cane can be ideal to help control soil erosion and allow nutrients to get to the ground below.