Zeroscaping or Xeriscaping Landscaping©

Prior to retiring, for many years I had to go out to the western states for my business and especially to Arizona, New Mexico and Nevada. As these states and their cities started to grow and tract housing and developments were shooting up all over the place, the landscaping needs of these communities were hampered with the lack of water.

I was amazed at the beauty that could be created with Zeroscaping which usually consisted of gardens of rocks and/or gravel, often in patches of different colored stones coupled with sculptural features either of stone, statuary or often cactus. To me there was almost an oriental look to these gardens because of the simple look that was created with this spare or sparse elegance. Often the landscaper would add a section that held lush local or native plants.

Zeroscaping is closely related and often confused with Xeriscaping which basically is the conservation of water and is used in creating gardens in the dry and harsh climates of our country such as our desert areas. A Xeriscape garden usually has more succulents and cactus in it and many homes in the desert area, of not only the United States, but other countries with the same climate conditions will have this type of landscaping.

The main function of Xeriscaping is to make as little use of water as possible thus not only conserving water, but saving water expenses for the home owner. When plants are used they are mostly native or local plants and they are group together so they can be watered together if needed. Often the landscaper will make sure these groups are either near a shade tree or a wall or bower to help shade them from the sun thus lessening the plants needs for water.

Once in awhile I will see one of these in a Florida residence's yard. These are really practical gardens because they basically eliminate or if nothing else requires watering, weeding and trimming.

However, a Xeriscaping or Zeroscaping garden is not totally maintenance free. Some care must be given to make sure your plants do not get to shaggy or scraggly or even die off in your hottest and driest months.