Xeriscaping refers to the conservation of water through creative landscaping.

Originally developed for drought-afflicted areas, the principles of xeriscape today have an ever broadening appeal. With water now considered an expensive and limited resource, all landscaping projects, residential or commercial, can benefit from this alternative.

Xeriscapes do not have a single look - almost any landscaping style can be achieved. The principles can be applied to all or part of a yard, in any geographic region of North America.

BENEFITS:

Saves Water. For most of North America, over 50% of residential water used is applied to landscape and lawns. Xeriscape can reduce landscape water use by 50 - 75%.

Less Maintenance. Aside from occasional pruning and weeding, maintenance is minimal. Watering requirements are low, and can be met with simple irrigation systems.

No Fertilizers or Pesticides. Using plants native to your area will eliminate the need for chemical supplements. Sufficient nutrients are provided by healthy organic soil.

Improves Property Value. A good Xeriscape can raise property values which more than offset the cost of installation. Protect your landscaping investment by drought-proofing it.

Pollution Free. Fossil fuel consumption from gas mowers is minimized or eliminated with minimal turf areas. Small turf areas can be maintained with a reel mower.

Provides Wildlife Habitat. Use of native plants, shrubs and trees offer a familiar and varied habitat for local wildlife.

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Mom + I went to Home Depot, bought 4 one-gallon pots of purple fountain grass (Pennisetum setaceum) and I planted them in our front yard.

Since we live in a midcentury modern luxury apartment needing some loving care, it has behooved me to sponsor an "adopt a plant" movement, where each tenant pays only the cost of a one-gallon drought-tolerant plant ($6) and I provide the landscaping architecture (planning + labor).

Happy to say that 4 tenants have already paid for their little adoptions, thus 4 plants. Four more have pledged.

In an continually "green" commercial neighborhood in South Pasadena, the city has planted mature fountain grass all along a 3 mile stretch of Raymond Avenue.

This has inspired numerous residential owners to rethink their landscaping, which, in South Pas, requires a considerable amount of water.

This area is highly desirable not only b/c of its schools, but for its home-town feel from another era. Our neighborhoods are tree-lined and often being filmed for tv + big screen productions b/c it doesn't "feel" exclusively like Southern California, where you'd think of palm trees and miles of beaches.

There are physical changes to the city that keep happening. On Mission Street (where filming is almost a monthly occurrence), the sidewalks are being replaced with brick and the street lights are being retrofitted.

The newly added presence of purple fountain grasses flanking curbsides has inspired me to look into sustainable gardening issues.

So, Home Depot. Off to take a long shower.