Sustainability Through Xeriscape Design

Reduce Outdoor Water Consumption

Many of us make new year's resolutions to create our best life through improved health, finances, and relationships. But how often do we consider the opportunity to make improvements that benefit our home happiness and our home and landscaping's environmental footprint?

If finances and sustainability matter to you, Xeriscape design renovation should be a top consideration for homeowners in Colorado's the Front Range.

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What Is Xeriscaping?
Xeriscaping, also sometimes called “smart-scaping” or “drought-tolerant landscaping,” is a set of landscape design principles to benefit areas susceptible to drought or concerned with water conservation, like Colorado's drought-prone Front Range. This style of landscape utilizes water conserving techniques such as the inclusion of drought-tolerant plants; ground covers such as bark, mulch, or rock; and efficient irrigation to create sustainable and functional beauty that also reduces water bills and consumption. 

Designs can range from rustic alpine to vibrant xeriscape garden to minimalist zen meditation aesthetics and anything in between. 

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Water Wise Landscape Designs Rooted In Colorado
Did you know that the Water Department of Denver is credited for coining the word “xeriscape” back in 1981? Really! Denver Water combined "landscape" with “xeros” (the Greek word for “dry”), to make it easier to talk about a style of landscaping suited to the Front Range and other semi-arid regions. 

How It Works & Materials To Use 
Ask your landscape architect to select plants adapted to the Denver metro’s general weather patterns. (If you have lived near the Mile High City for at least a season or two, you’ll notice how quickly the weather can turn from 70 degrees one day to snowing or below freezing the next!) Your plants need to be adapted to withstand these extremes, and they shouldn't require copious amounts of water remain healthy. 

A skilled landscape architect like our award winning designer will create a beautiful plan that is aesthetically pleasing with more than just a drab span of sand or rocks to replace your lawn. Ideally you want to enjoy a beautiful space that is designed to require minimal water consumption and minimal maintenance. 

Arterra owner, John Majeski, approaches xeriscape designs considering your area’s average rainfall and what grows indigenously in your area. Instead of expansive sod lawns, he incorporates natural materials like turf grasses, native plants like deciduous shrubs or pine trees, and wildflowers that are hardy enough to sustain the varied temperature swings seen in our region.

Some of John’s favorite plants to work with include roses, ornamental grasses, boxwood, and certain cacti. 

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Will Xeriscaping Save Me Money? 
The costs of xeriscape design and installation range depending on the size of your space, materials used, and variety of plants incorporated. Installation costs are typically on par with more traditional landscapes that rely heavily on sod and perennials, but the long term savings from less intensive maintenance and water consumption typically pay off after several years making your landscape more sensible for your finances and the environment.

When Should I Install A Xeriscape?
While spring is always the most ideal time to install and renovate gardens and lawns, you can generally install xeriscapes anytime throughout the year (weather permitting).

Work With Us
Arterra is now booking landscape design and construction projects for the spring and summer on a first come, first served basis. We give you accurate, fair, and custom quotes based on a site visit to your property with your personal lifestyle and home’s features in mind. 

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