Xeriscape Ideas Utah

There are a lot of examples of xeriscape ideas that are well-suited for specific regions and cities in Utah, but it's important to pay attention to region specific needs as temperatures, precipitation, and climate vary widely throughout the state. Because Utah is absolutely massive with a ton of variety. Something that works in one spot, probably won't well in another spot. In other words, there's no one size fits all system. 

• Salt Lake City: Salt Lake City has a semi-arid climate, with hot summers and cold winters. Xeriscaping in this area should focus on using drought-tolerant plants that can withstand high temperatures and low rainfall, such as sagebrush, yucca, and cacti. A rock garden with mulch and a small water feature can also add visual interest while reducing the need for irrigation. What's more - in Salt Lake City you can get a big rebate for part of your project. Click here to learn more about the Flip Your Strip program & rebates!

• Park City: Park City has a high altitude and a colder climate than other parts of Utah. Xeriscaping in this area should focus on using plants that are well-suited to the colder temperatures and higher elevations, such as aspen trees and wildflowers. Incorporating a hardscape, such as pavers or decks, can also help to reduce the need for irrigation.

• St. George: St. George has a hot desert climate with low rainfall and high temperatures. Xeriscaping in this area should focus on using drought-tolerant plants such as cacti, yucca, and succulents. Creating a rock garden or incorporating a water feature can also help to reduce the need for irrigation.

• Moab: Moab has a dry climate with hot summers and cold winters. Xeriscaping in this area should focus on using drought-tolerant plants such as sagebrush, yucca, and cacti. Incorporating a hardscape, such as pavers or decks, can also help to reduce the need for irrigation.

• Logan: Logan has a cold winter and a hot summer with a moderate amount of precipitation. Xeriscaping in this area should focus on using plants that can withstand the cold winters and hot summers, such as aspen trees, wildflowers, and drought-tolerant grasses. Incorporating mulch and raised beds can also help to improve drainage and reduce the need for irrigation.

It's worth noting that the climate and weather conditions in Utah can vary greatly depending on location, therefore it's best to consult with a professional landscaper or xeriscape designer for specific design suited to your own property.

So what if we're leaning mostly towards a rock garden?

A rock garden, also known as a rockery or alpine garden, is a type of xeriscape that utilizes rocks and boulders to create a naturalistic, low-maintenance landscape. Rock gardens don't have to be boring, and when done right, they add a really nice level of visual interest and design pizazz. Here's a few considerations:

1. A variety of rock sizes and textures: Use a lot of different materials, or layer your materials so you don't end up with a super bland and basic look. Most gardens typically include a variety of rock sizes and textures, from large boulders to small pebbles like pea gravel, to create visual interest and a sense of depth.

2. Drought-tolerant plants: again, to reiterate the previous note, your rock garden might look bad if it's all rocks. If you throw in some nice plants, the visual contrast can be stunning: consider using drought tolerate plants like succulents, cacti, and alpine flowers - these will thrive in well-draining soil and limited water.

3. Drainage: If you want your rock garden to last, and not look like a complete mud garden, make sure you're designing with good drainage, which helps to prevent water from pooling around the plants and rocks - this will also help control mosquitos and bugs (and just nasty water that your kids or pets can get into). This can be achieved by incorporating a layer of gravel or crushed rock at the bottom of the garden, or by building raised beds.

4. Mulch: Mulch is a well used option to help retain moisture by covering the soil. Keep in mind, you'll likely need to replace (or at least add new mulch) every season to keep things looking fresh. 

5. Slope: Rock gardens can be built on a slope, which can add visual interest and also help with drainage - some people see slopes as a challenge, but slopes are a really nice way to add visual interest because you can create steps and vertical layers and paths to break up an otherwise boring design. 

6. Grouping of plants: Rock gardens often group plants together by their water needs, this also helps when planning out your irrigation, which allows you to water the garden effectively and efficiently. We talk about layering plants too, so you can have trees or softscapes that are a little taller on the edge of your garden, then move into smaller plant or hardscape features, then use succulents or a plant that spreads well to cover the gaps. 

7. Lighting: Rock gardens can be designed to be enjoyed in the evening - and why not? What's better than a late night glass of wine or evening meal next to your beautiful backyard. Try and use lighting design  that can be incorporated to highlight the rocks, plants, and other features of the garden. We like to use them along fence lines (think hanging bulb strands, as well spot lights along paths or especially interesting features). 

8. Hardiness zone: It's important to choose plants that are well-suited to the hardiness zone of the area - you can look up your specific zone online. Do note, there are nuances among zones. For example, the zones are broad. Ogden spreads across three zones, so make sure you're consulting with a landscape designer before you start planting!

Rock gardens can be a beautiful and low-maintenance option for xeriscaping, just try to keep things visually interesting vs slapping down a bunch of rocks and calling it quits! And if done thoughtfully, they can also provide a natural habitat for wildlife, such as birds and butterflies, facilitating a sense of tranquility and calm in the landscape. 

Is Xeriscaping the same as Zeroscaping?

Xeriscaping and zeroscaping are terms that are often used interchangeably, but they are slightly different - and if you watched the video above, even I can't tell the difference when I say Xeri vs Xero... oops! 

Xeriscaping uses drought-tolerant plants and efficient irrigation techniques to reduce the need for water. It's even baked into the word itself: "xeriscape" comes from the Greek word "xeros," which means "dry," and while it's probably up for hot debate, the internet tells us it was first coined by the Denver Water Department in 1981. Xeriscaping typically involves the use of native plants and other drought-tolerant species, mulching, efficient irrigation, and other techniques to conserve water - again, a combination of tactics and techniques to reduce the over all water impact of a landscape. 

Zeroscaping, on the other hand, is a more extreme version of xeriscaping. It's a bit more intense because it involves using little or no water, and often no plants at all... in our opinion, yuck! Plants are good! Zeroscaping often involves using rocks, gravel, and other hardscaping elements to create a landscape that is low-maintenance and does not require irrigation - these can make a lot of sense in extreme desert environments where water is scarce. Though we always push to look up local native plants and try to integrate them into your space. Not only do they add visual interest, they help with local biodiversity too. 

In summary, xeriscaping is a method of landscaping that reduces water usage, while zeroscaping is a more extreme version that eliminates water usage and often eliminates plants altogether. Think of it this way, zero = zero water, and that's extreme! 

How much does it cost to Xeriscape a yard in Utah?

Unsurprisingly, there's no clear answer here because it depends on so many different factors. Think about it - we have the size of the yard, the type of plants used (and local market prices and demand for those plants) and the amount of labor required for installation. With that said, here are some rough options with price ranges for a budget, medium budget, and large budget:

Budget ($1,000 - $3,000): In Utah, a budget xeriscaping project can be an affordable and practical way to create a low-maintenance yard that is well adapted to the region's arid climate - but it's going to be a lot more simple than what a bigger budget might warrant, and you may even need to DIY portions of the project. No fear, we have great DIY plans for small yards that are perfect for this type of spend. This type of project can include the removal of water-intensive plants and grass and the installation of drought-tolerant plants that are well adapted to Utah's many varieties of climates. Thankfully, there's a ton of variety and choices available like native species such as yucca, agave, and penstemon, or non-native species such as lavender and rosemary. Our goal here is less lawn, so while it's best to work with native species, sometimes non-native plants are good options to add visual interest while also reducing water and chemical inputs. Think about all the pesticides and weed killers we use on a more traditional lawn. To minimize water use and costs, a simple drip irrigation system can be installed - this type of system is basically what it sounds like - it drips out water slowly and during optimum times of the day which helps cut waste and save you $$$$. As always, using rocks, gravel, or mulch can also be incorporated into the design to help retain moisture and reduce water use. They also serve the purpose of adding visual variety and accommodating different needs like pets, children, or even entertainment. For hardscaping features, concrete pavers and blocks are a popular and affordable choice (instead of something more expensive like flagstone or granite). With a budget of $1,000 to $3,000, you can create a low-maintenance xeriscape design for a small to medium-sized yard. And, with the right design, it's still going to look really beautiful. 

Medium Budget ($3,000 - $8,000): With a medium budget, there's more money available to create a more diverse and visually appealing xeriscape design that is well adapted to Utah's climate. Basically, more money means more stuff to break up the design and create intricate features. So we'll have a wider variety of drought-tolerant plants such as shrubs, flowering perennials, and small trees. And we can choose between native or non-native with species like desert willow, sumac, and rabbitbrush, as well as non-native species such as lavender, salvia, and ornamental grasses. 

Large Budget ($8,000 - $20,000+): With a large budget, you can create a customized and elaborate xeriscape design that incorporates a wide range of drought-tolerant plants, hardscaping features, and outdoor living spaces. The key change is outdoor living spaces - so with this type of budget we can start to add things like outdoor kitchens, hardscape benches, outdoor showers or pet baths, and more. This type of project can include the use of a wide variety of drought-tolerant plants such as small trees, flowering shrubs, and perennials - and unlike smaller budgets, you'd be able to install more mature trees and bushes that are ready to go this season, versus younger plants that may need a season or two to take root. These plants may include native species such as mountain mahogany, Utah serviceberry, and chokecherry, as well as non-native species such as hibiscus, bird of paradise, and succulents. Again, the features that are possible are endless, but can include natural stone retaining walls, outdoor kitchen, fire pit, water features, seating areas, and more. With a large budget, you can use high-quality and natural materials such as flagstone, slate, and boulders to add to the aesthetics of the landscape - you won't be limited to prefab pavers or stones. With a budget of $10,000 to $20,000 or more, you can create a large, customized xeriscape design that is well adapted to Utah's climate.

It's important to note that the cost of labor and materials can vary depending on the economy and demand in different regions of Utah. It's always best to get multiple quotes from reputable landscapers in your area to get a better idea of the cost for your specific project.