Water-saving Landscape Design

Gardens tend to use water, and some designs use more than others. Many people wonder how they can get a water-saving landscape, since watering plants takes time out of your day and frequently costs money. In the Washington DC area, it all starts with landscape design  that fits the climate. Any landscape design for the DC area can save water by using some of the following ideas.

Consider pavers or rocks for parts of your garden. A plain lawn looks dead without water, but concrete pavers look stylish no matter how little water you give the environment. A judicious use of rocks follows the same principle. You can pick rocks with enticing layers and bright colors to act as garden enhancers, and once they are in place, there is nothing more you need to do with them.

Pick plants that are native to Washington D.C. that tolerate dry weather. There are many excellent choices here: Wild Columbine, Plantain Pusseytoes, Wild Bleeding Heart, and Woodland Coreopsis come to mind. When you pick native plants and site them properly, they don’t need much maintenance and will thrive on Maryland and Virginia’s normal amount of rain. Ferns can make lovely, low-maintenance ornaments, too.

Consider stone walls that capture water and manage drainage. These can look elegant and be useful at the same time. Walls can provide discreet places for catching and draining water.

You can also install rock gardens that capture space while not requiring much in the way of upkeep. They’re unique features that will set your space apart from your neighbors, and you won’t even have to worry about watering them.

When you consider the time and effort spent on watering your yard, it makes sense to take these ideas into account when planning your initial design. A little planning now can lead to a lot of free time later. To talk more about this, or anything else, please contact us.