Living in a desert keeps us all aware of and focused on water conservation. It’s important to know how we can best manage the water we use both as a community and as individuals to ensure our environment can take care of us. One important way to conserve water is by being wise when it comes to managing our landscapes. From careful irrigation planning to keeping an eye open for broken water lines and leaks, we can do our part to conserve water and still keep our yards looking great.
When it comes to choosing the plants, trees and other vegetation we plant in our yards, it is important to know how much water is required to keep them alive and healthy. It is much smarter to choose plants that require the least amount of water so we not only save water, but also money.
Not all of us are botanists and familiar enough with vegetation to know which plants need the least amount of water. Here are a few ideas you may want to consider as you choose plants for your yard or garden.
Avoid Tropical Plants
Plants that are native to tropical regions will require quite a bit of water to stay looking fresh and healthy. The tropics receive rainfall every year, which means the plants that grown there are used to receiving lots of water throughout the year. Hibiscus species and impatiens are good plants to avoid if you are trying to conserve water.
Drought Tolerant/Resistant Plants
Fortunately, there is a long list of beautiful flowers, plants and other vegetation that can thrive in the Arizona deserts without too much water. These include native plants and cacti as well as exotic. Here is a short list of some of the wildflowers that are found in many gardens in the Phoenix area.
- Basket Flower
- Woolly Daisy
- Yellow Cups
- Wild Sunflower
- Toadflax
- Morning Glory
- Arizona Lupine
- Baby Blue Eyes
There are many, many more to choose from. If you have questions, ask your landscape management expert.
Xeriscaping
This form of landscaping and gardening has become more popular in Phoenix because of its low reliance on water. ABC Scapes continues to install and manage xeriscaping for many of our clients over the years, helping them to conserve water and save money. Xeriscaping includes plants that not only reside in Arizona, but also reside in other regions around the world that do not require high amounts of water. Drive through any neighborhood in the Valley and you will see examples of xeriscaping.
If you want to learn more on how to conserve water by planting the right kinds of plants and vegetation, talk to ABC Scapes. We’re happy to share our insight and ideas. Call us at 602-404-0568.