Ditch the high-maintenance lawn and try xeriscaping for a beautiful, eco-friendly yard. And remember, xeriscaping doesn’t just mean cacti.

PALO PINTO COUNTY—Xeriscaping [zeer-i-skey-ping] is the practice of designing landscapes to reduce or eliminate the need for irrigation, meaning they need little or no water beyond what nature provides, according to National Geographic.

“Xeriscape landscaping, quality landscaping that conserves water and protects the environment, is the most exciting concept to hit the landscape industry in decades,” according to the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension. “Whether called xeriscape, water-wise or water-smart landscaping, landscape and water industry professionals throughout the nation have embraced landscape water conservation through education.”

Basically, it’s a money-saving alternative to the meticulously manicured lawns so often seen in communities.

Why is a perfectly uniform and green yard the default for many?

It can be tied as far back as the 17th and 18th centuries in Europe, according to the University of Texas at Austin Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, which promotes its mission to inspire the conservation of native plants through its internationally recognized sustainable gardens, education and outreach programs, and research projects.

History.com credits the most recent push stemming from the 1940s.

“In 1944, President Franklin Roosevelt signed the Servicemen’s Readjustment Act, better known as the G.I. Bill, to provide educational and home loan benefits for millions of veterans returning from World War II. According to the Department of Veteran Affairs, the program backed 2.4 million low-interest home loans for veterans between 1944 and 1952. As homeownership rates rose from 44 percent in 1940 to almost 62 percent in 1960, owning a home became synonymous with the American dream. A manicured lawn became a physical manifestation of that dream.” – History.com

And while there are many events over history that culminated in the desire for a golf course-like lawn, there are many today realizing the diversity in an ecosystem is healthier for the environment – and as a bonus, can save you some money on your water bill.

Xeriscaping is not about sacrificing beauty for functionality. By incorporating diverse and drought-tolerant plants, xeriscaping can create stunning, thriving, and low-maintenance landscapes.

Texas summers are notorious for their scorching temperatures and extended periods without rain. Non-native plants often struggle in these conditions, requiring excessive watering to prevent wilting, browning, or even death. In urban areas of Texas, about 25% of the water supply is used for landscape and garden watering, much of which is used to maintain high-water demanding landscapes, according to the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension.

Not needing frequent watering also means less work for you.

So how do you know which plants to plant?

Texas is big, so big it’s the second largest state in the United States, following Alaska, and it’s twice as large as Japan or Germany, according to the World Atlas. Meanwhile, the Brazos River Basin crosses most of the physiographic regions of Texas – the High Plains, Blackland Prairie, Edwards Plateau, and Gulf Coast Prairies and marshes, offering a variety of landscapes including canyons in the upper portion, rolling hills and plains in the central, and beaches near the Gulf.

That’s important to know because plants will thrive in regions differently. Like the terrain, the climate ranges significantly, from temperate to subtropical, in the basin that stretches from the Texas-New Mexico border all the way down to the Gulf of Mexico.

Your first step is to find what region you live in. For that we go to the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office where they have a map to indicate what region you’re in. This site will also tell you the U.S. Department of Agriculture Plant Hardiness Zone, which is the standard by which gardeners and growers can determine which perennial plants are most likely to thrive at a location.

The goal is to use native plants. Plants that are native to Texas can already withstand drought conditions, making them a perfect option for those who want to Xeriscape. A plant is considered native if it has occurred naturally in a particular region, ecosystem, or habitat without human introduction, according to the National Wildlife Federation. The U.S. Forest Service expands on that definition by adding that species native to North America are generally recognized as those occurring on the continent prior to European settlement.

The cost of xeriscaping can vary depending on several factors, such as the size of the area, the types of plants and materials used, and the complexity of the design. It does, however, lead to long-term cost savings by reducing water usage and maintenance needs.

Texas Smart Scape allows you to locate plants by filtering various needs, such as which area you live in, if you’re looking for groundcover or perennials, full sun or partial sun, if you want it to border your landscape or thrive in a container, by colors, size, and more.

Looking for a perennial to plant in full sun that requires little water? Texas SmartScape recommends the Four Nerve Daisy, Flame Acanthus, Red Yucca or Blackfoot Daisy.

Interested in including shrubs in your design? The Texas Sage is very drought tolerant and offers silvery, gray and green foliage variants. The Smooth Sumac, also known as the Rhus glabra, is a shrub that likes full or partial shade, requires little water, provides erosion control, and is a fan of birds and butterflies.

Snake Herb, Wood Violet, Pigeonberry, and Horseherb are among the Texas SmartScape recommended plants for groundcover plants.

The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center also has a list of drought-resistant plants for Texas.

• The Purple Poppy Mallow (Callirhoe involucrate) is a perennial with white, pink or purple blooms, that likes well-drained areas, that can look nice in a hanging basket or trailing over a wall – plus the bees and butterflies love it.
• Damianita (Chrysactinia Mexicana) is a drought-tolerant evergreen shrub with yellow flowers that can get up to about two feet tall.
• The Alache Plume (Fallugia paradoxa) is a slender, upright semi-evergreen, multi-branched shrub that can get up to six feet tall and has white flowers.
• The Maximilian Sunflower (Helianthus maximiliani) can grow three-to-10 feet tall with numerous yellow flower heads.
• The Texas Skeleton Plant (Lygodesmia texana) is a perennial with pink and purple blooms that requires little water and attracts butterflies.

There are so many options. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or a novice, xeriscaping is a great way to create a beautiful, sustainable landscape that will last for years to come. With careful planning and attention to detail, you can create a yard that is well-suited to your local climate and is both functional and beautiful.

If you need some assistance planning your drought-friendly garden, Texas SmartScape offers useful tools and tips to ensure that your xeriscaped journey is successful. Visit www.txsmartscape.com.