7 Drought-Tolerant Landscaping Ideas
By Pro.com
Special to Yahoo Homes
Currently nine states suffer from severe, extreme or exceptional drought conditions, according to Weather.com. In California, 94% of the state is experiencing severe or worse drought. In Nevada, it’s 87%, Oregon’s drought covers 68% of its acreage, and in Washington State, 24% of the land is drought-ridden.
Besides not having enough rain in these nine states, the powers that be also don’t want you use the water you do have for your lawn. Let’s face it, a yard filled with grass looks pretty when it’s green, but not so good when it turns brown. It also takes a great deal of work. You have to mow it, fertilize it, thatch it, mulch it and water it to keep it green. This just might be the time to replace your lawn with a more drought-tolerant landscape.
You might be surprised at some of grass substitutes landscapers have come up with.
1. Plant Sun Lovers
Widen and/or increase the number of flower beds, and add flowers that naturally adapt to these dryer conditions. The following can live for long periods of time without significant amounts of water, once they’re established: Mexican sunflowers attract bees and butterflies and they come in bright orange, red or yellow. Plant Globe Amaranth in the spring and the pom-pom like blooms last until fall, again without much water.
2. Lay Down a Carpet
Thick ground covers often substitute for lawns and most require only small amounts of water. The green carpet rupturewort has one long root that grows downward instead of many roots on the surface, which helps with water conservation.
3. Sow Moss Instead
You know that stuff you keep trying to get rid of? Why not give up and cover your yard in moss? Sheet Moss is easy to grow and forms a low dense mat that easily withstands foot traffic. Moss works the best in an area with plenty of shade.
4. Consider a Mix
Fleur de Lawn, a eco-lawn blend with low-growing flowers that change color through the seasons, was developed for eco-friendly landscapes at Oregon State University. Other mixes exist (with different combinations), and they all contribute the same things to your yard; a low-water, low-maintenance, meadow-type lawn.
5. Spread Clover Around
Not only does clover choke out weeds, but it enriches the soil with its natural fertilizer. Dutch White, the best variety for replacing a lawn, doesn’t require much watering, no mowing and it stays green during the driest summer months.
6. Introduce Ornamental Grasses
Fill out flower beds with ornamental grasses or use them as a lawn alternative. They come in a wide variety of sizes, leaf colors and even textures. Blue oat grass and Indian rice grass are both extremely drought-tolerant.
7. Go for the Gold
Cover as much of your yard as you want in golden gravel. Blend in ornamental grasses and sun-worshipping flowers. You can also use this colored gravel for pathways or to replace flower beds. No watering, no mowing and lots of beauty.
Pro.com is a website founded in 2013 by service industry entrepreneurs and former Amazon executives to simplify home services -- especially research on contractor fees and qualifications.
Related from Pro.com:
4 Useful Methods for Removing a Tree Stump
9 Low-Maintenance Lawn Alternatives
Lawn Care by the Season
