3 Landscaping Tips For New Homeowners In The Desert Southwest
Whether you just moved to the Southwest, or you never had to worry about landscaping before because you had a landlord taking care of it, landscaping can present a challenge for new homeowners in the Southwest. The dry, hot climate, limited rainfall, and water restrictions make having a lush green yard surrounded by trees impossible. Luckily, there are many options for beautiful landscaping that work well with the local desert climate and environment. Here are a few tips to keep in mind:
Incorporate Hardscaping
Hardscaping means incorporating "hard" materials like concrete and flagstone into your landscaping and yard design. The more hardscaping, the less area of yard to worry about and fill with plants and shrubs. Examples of hardscaping include poured concrete patios, brick fire pits, and stone walkways.
Hardscaping can be blended with plants and other greenery that don't require much or any water, for a beautifully designed yard that works well with the dry desert climate. A skilled landscaper will know how to mix in elements of hardscaping while still creating a natural and organic look for your yard.
Choose Native Plants
Non-native plants don't tend to grow well in the Southwest, unless you constantly dowse them with an impractical amount of water. A better idea is to make use of the many beautiful and unique flowers and plants that grow naturally in a desert climate. These include small colorful succulents, large cacti, soft blue-green agave plants, sweet wildflowers, and bright red yucca plants. A variety of native plants will add all the color and texture your yard needs to look amazing, while also being very low maintenance and not requiring excessive watering.
Add Layered Gardens
Since desert landscaping is not as lush or colorful as landscaping in other parts of the country, it's important to find other ways to add visual interest to your backyard. One idea is to have different garden boxes and platforms built into the yard. These can be designed from stucco to match your southwestern house, from wood, from stone, or a cool combination of different materials. Spotlights along the bottom of each layer will add drama and beauty at night, while highlighting your newly planted flowers and plants.
Landscaping in the desert Southwest is an interesting challenge for new homeowners. Working with an experienced landscaping company and following these tips will ensure you end up with landscaping you love and that doesn't require much if any water. Contact a company, like Turf Masters Lawn and Landscape LLC, for more help.
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