What is Xeriscaping?

This year, in New Jersey,  we have experienced a very hot, dry summer.  There are actually some plants that thrive in this heat and are drought tolerant. 

Live Oak Landscape would like to share with you some of these plants if you are having a hard time  keeping some of your plants alive with this unpredictable weather.

Xeriscaping and xerogardening refers to landscaping and gardening in ways that reduce or eliminate the need for supplemental water from irrigation. It is promoted in regions that do not have easily accessible, plentiful, or reliable supplies of fresh water, and is gaining acceptance in other areas as climate patterns shift.

The term xeriscape comes from “xeros” the Greek word for dry. Combined with scape which literally means a picture or a view of a type of scene, we have the term for a dry landscape. Actually, xeriscaping can and often is very attractive, quite lush and extremely colorful.

Xeriscaping utilizes several principles that make the design unique and water-wise. First and foremost, the design should embrace the concept of an oasis. The cool, lush areas that require the highest use of water should be placed near the area where one lives. The further away from the oasis, the less water consumptive the landscape.

Our next Live Oak Landscape blog will talk about these important plants and how we use them in your landscape design.