What is xeriscape? 

Xeriscape (pronounced ZEER-i-scape) is a water-efficient or water-wise approach to creating an attractive and sustainable landscape; based on seven sound gardening principles. 

• Plan and design for water conservation, beauty and use from the beginning of the process.
• Limit turf areas to manageable sizes and shapes. Use appropriate grasses or turf alternatives.
• Improve the soil with compost or manure, if necessary. Most of our native plants do not require a lot of compost.
• Use low-water plants and group according to similar water needs. This is known as hydrozoning.
• Irrigate efficiently with well-designed systems. Apply the correct amount of water at the right time.
• Consider using mulches, such as wood chips, to reduce evaporation; especially in moderate and high water zones.
• Maintain your landscape appropriately – mow, weed, prune and fertilize properly. 

Xeriscape: what it is NOT: (Jim Knoff, Landscape Architect from Boulder Colorado, corrects the following misconceptions) 

• Xeriscape is NOT dry only. Even though dry-only landscaping can be very colorful and lush, limited areas of highly-watered landscape are completely consistent with wise water use, if the return justifies it.
• Xeriscape is NOT just rocks and gravel. Although dry (xeric) rock gardens can be marvelous, there are many other wonderful choices for the xeric portions of Xeriscape designs.
• Xeriscape is NOT necessarily lawn-less landscaping. Some lawn area can be consistent with wise water use. Let’s call it “less-lawn landscaping”.

 Resources:

• Colorado WaterWise
• Colorado Native Plant Society Native Plants
• Colorado State University Extension Yard & Garden
• CSU Extension Native Plant Guide

 Books:

• Waterwise Landscaping with Trees, Shrubs and Vines by Jim Knopf
• Xeriscape Flower Gardener by Jim Knopf
• Xeriscape Plant Guide by Denver Water