Low-water landscaping—also called xeriscaping, drought-tolerant landscaping, or water-wise landscaping—minimizes the need for heavy watering by choosing plants that can tolerate long periods of drought and heat, relying mostly on natural rainfall to survive. It also incorporates efficient irrigation systems to reduce water consumption and water bills. Complete Landscaping has a crew with decades of experience in thoughtful, sustainable drought-tolerant landscaping in Arizona. Here are our picks for the best low-water landscaping ideas for Tucson properties that can survive heat and monsoon storms.
Thoughtful Landscaping Zones
No matter the size of your property, landscaping zones can make watering more efficient and less wasteful. We will group plants systematically based on water and sun needs. Planting hardy native desert plants in full-sun areas can offer shade for your property and also provide protection for smaller, more delicate accent plants or container plants. We can also incorporate larger woody, structural trees and shrubs in flood-prone areas to mitigate flooding, erosion, mudslides, and dust.
Strategic Native Plant Selection
Along with desert-friendly annuals and perennials, and some non-native container plants, the bulk of your landscape design should consist of native and desert-adapted plants. These species have evolved over hundreds of years to survive and thrive in extreme conditions like intense heat and sun and limited water. We will incorporate these native plants strategically around your property to create shade, block sun and wind, prevent flooding, reduce water usage, and provide beauty, food, and shelter for crucial pollinators, birds, and wildlife.
Sustainable Hardscaping
We can also use hardscaping elements to make outdoor spaces safer, more functional, and more beautiful while minimizing the need for grass or turf. Permeable patio pavers, drought-resistant groundcovers, and eco-friendly hardscaping can create usable outdoor spaces while limiting dust, mud, flooding, soil erosion, and runoff.
Water-Wise Irrigation
Our irrigation services include designing systems that are more water-efficient, and that reduce waste and lower your water bills. We recommend drip irrigation systems, automated irrigation controls, smart irrigation systems, and other methods that ensure each landscape zone gets the optimal amount of water at the right frequency and the best time of day.
Soil Improvement
By adding organic compost and other amendments to the soil, we can help plants retain moisture, reducing evaporation and lowering watering frequency. We can also use mulch and shade cloth to protect delicate plants from the sun, keep the soil cool, and prevent water evaporation.
Complete Landscaping’s low-water landscaping ideas can offer long-term cost savings through reduced water bills, less frequent landscaping maintenance, and lower risk of storm-related flooding, erosion, uprooting, and damage. Our fully licensed team of skilled commercial landscapers are well-equipped to help you manage Tucson’s unique summer climate shifts, from blistering heat to sudden monsoon floods. We offer specialized experience in climate and water management including storm proofing, erosion control, and sustainable, eco-friendly landscape design. If you’re interested in learning more about the benefits of xeriscape in Tucson, call us today at (520) 675-1754 or contact us online to set up an initial consultation to explore more low water landscaping ideas.