Xeriscaping

Xeriscaping is a landscape style typical of arid climates.  Xeriscaping is defined as a type of landscape design that uses low water-use or drought-tolerant plants that require little to no supplemental irrigation. This is achieved by using mainly gravel and river rock of different sizes and sparsely-planted drought-tolerant plants.  Increasing in popularity on Vancouver Island, a xeriscaped front or back yard can be a simple, clean, modern alternative to grass or gardens.

This method of landscape design offers clients with a little-to-no maintenance as anything planted in this type of a landscape is, by design, resistant to drought - meaning you will not have to water a xeriscaped landscape. 

This type of landscape is becoming popular with older homeowners with mobility issues and homeowners wanting to reduce their household water consumption or avoid the issues homeowners might face with future water restrictions.

Xeriscaping is a simple, regionally-appropriate response to water restrictions.  It is a low-impact way of using our front and back yards.  It is “climate-change ready”, in that xeriscaping does not require significant amounts of water, yet it will temper Winter rain just fine.  Xeriscaping can also be a very custom, artful and modern type of landscape which can interface with new “West Coast Contemporary” architectural home styles quite well.  Simply put, xeriscaping is landscaping for the future of Vancouver Island.

A few things to consider when planning your xeriscape are which types of aggregate or stone will be best for the form and function of your yard.  While in most of our xeriscape installations we use a base of what’s called '3/4” Round’ or any other type of Drain Rock, many xeriscape installations also use other types of aggregate or natural stone.  For instance, River Rock of 6’ or more is sometimes used to create what look like small creek beds, as seen in the photo.  Sometimes these small creek beds are designed to move water during storm events, while at other times they are merely used to provide visual appeal and a more natural look.

During installation, we first lay multiple layers of industrial grade Geo-Textile to ensure that rainwater can get down into the soil while weeds don't grow up through it.  The particular type of Geo-Textile we use functions as a thick membrane which weeds cannot grow through.

Next, we deliver the desired Drain Rock and River Rock to the job site.  Often times, clients will desire Drain Rock or River Rock of a particular look and size - both of which we are able to source and have delivered to your property.   Finally, if desired by the client, we often plant a few large drought-resistant grasses or evergreen shrubs to finish the installation before mulching them.  This completes the xeriscape installation.

We believe that xeriscaping is, in part, the answer to addressing droughts in our region.  It will save you water in an otherwise thirsty Summer landscape and it can look simple, clean, elegant, modern and beautiful.

Interested in learning more about your property and your xeriscaping options? Drought Mitigation is our specialization and xeriscaping is the future of landscaping on the Island. Contact us for a home visit and we will happily come by to have a look, discuss options and create a quote.