Xeriscaping

xeriscaping

water-efficient landscaping

Columbia's most important reason for water-efficient landscaping is to preserve and extend the useful life of our present water supply — it's one of our most precious resources. A considerable amount of water can be saved through well-planned and well-managed landscapes. So, try xeriscaping and spend less time watering, and more time enjoying your beautiful landscape!

Divide the landscape into three water use zones: low, moderate and high. Place plants with high water requirements in areas that receive the most water, like drainage ways, depressions or bottom of hills.
Shade, whether from plants or structures, helps cool the landscape and reduces water loss. A shaded landscape can be as much as 20% cooler than full sun areas.
The key is to select plants according to the site conditions and stresses. Native Missouri plants are good choices since they tolerate wet spring soils and late summer drought. See the list of suggested plants below.
Pay close attention to moisture in the soil to determine when to water. It also pays to do your homework on the water needs of the plants that you have selected for your yard.
Clay soil types commonly found in Columbia don't absorb water well. Deeply cultivated, amended soil will improve drainage, save water and keep your plants healthy.
Mulch to retain moisture in the soil and prevent water robbing weeds. Avoid using rocks around your plants since the heat they radiate will increase evaporation.

Shrubs	Ornamental Grasses	Perenial Flowers
Autumn Olive	Pampas Grass	Baptisia
Barberry	Tufted Hairgrass	Butterfly weed
Beauty Bush	Weeping Lovegrass	Compass Plant
Buckhorn	Plume Grass	Coneflower, purple
Button Bush	Blue Fescue	Coreopsis
Elderberry	Sedges	Eupatorium
Forsythia	Feather Reedgrass	Goldenrod
Hazlenut	Velvet Grass	Gaillardia
Honeysuckle	Bottlebrush Grass	Hellanthus
Hydrangia arborescens	Miscanthus	Liatris - Gayfeather
Juniper species	Pennisetu	Primrose
Lilac	Cord Grass	Prairie Coneflower
Mockorange	Blue Oat Grass	Black - Eyed Susan
Pine - Mugho	Switch Grass	Rosinweed
Privet	Moore Grass	Tall Bellflower
Potentilla		Yarrow
Pyracantha	Check out our xeriscaped garden at Twin Lakes Recreation Center!
Quince - Flowering
Rose (shrub)
Rose Acacia
Rose of Sharon
Spirea
Sumac

Interested in other outdoor water savings tips?

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