A XERISCAPE (PRONOUNCED “z-ri-scape”) is a landscape that has been developed to maximize water conservation. “Xeriscape” is a compound of the Greek word xeros (“dry”) and scape to express the idea of developing a landform that is manageable in a drought-prone area or a dry landscape. Xeriscaping is a creative form of landscaping that uses plants that can derive the maximum benefit possible from the available water.

A xeriscape is not limited to desert plants or to desert or semi-arid regions. Xeriscaping can be used in urban areas; an unusual dry spell will then not kill the plants because they are immune to small droughts, nor will they require watering. The term xeriscape was originally coined by Denver Water, a municipal utility that continues to hold ...