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Xeriscape Information

The Denver Water Department created the word "Xeriscape" in 1981 to help familiarize concepts of water conservation-oriented landscaping. The word comes from the Greek word "xeros," which means "dry" and the word "landscape." Xeriscape, then, is a method of landscaping for arid or semiarid climates.

Xeriscape landscaping has become popular in areas where water is scarce and soil conditions are challenging. However, this does not mean that only rocks and gravel are used. Xeriscape landscaping allows for wide variety of plantings by using water in well-controlled amounts and locations. Many people also associate Xeriscape with using only plants native to an area, but non-invasive, introduced plants that adapt well to the local climate are good elements of Xeriscape landscape design.

For more information about the continuing drought in Colorado, please visit our Drought Information page.

Resources

Denver Water's Xeriscape Information includes some basic information on Xeriscape, a list of resources and a map to their demonstration gardens. They also maintain an information phone line, 303-628-6343, which you can call during normal business hours.

Denver Botanic Gardens Helen K. Fowler Library maintains the National Archives of Xeriscape History and Information. They also have a Water-Smart Garden on display that is a "great educational tool on how to water your own gardens in a water-conserving fashion."

www.xeriscape.org has a Xeriscape fundamentals slideshow, a history of Xeriscape, a bibliography that includes books, magazine articles, video tapes, compact disks, and brochures as well as a list of demonstration gardens found in Colorado.

Colorado Springs Utilities Xeriscape Demonstration Gardens is a good place to learn about Xeriscape design and find examples of plants to use.

Planttalk Colorado^TM (888-666-3063) is a toll-free automated phone service that provides you with reliable and timely information on Xeriscape and a variety of horticultural topics. Their Web site has text versions of all the phone scripts.

Plant Select^® is a program that finds and distributes recommended plants for gardens from the high plains to the intermountain region.

Supplies

Paulino Gardens, Inc. is a full service nursery and garden center located right here in Denver, Colorado.
6300 N. Broadway
Denver, CO 80216
303-429-8062

Echter's is a nearby retail garden center. Their Web site offers Xeriscape tips and shopping.
9170 W. 52nd Avenue
Arvada, CO 80002
local: 303-424-7979
toll free: 1-888-737-3354

High Country Gardens offers great garden tips and newsletters, and sells gardening supplies online.
2902 Rufina Street
Santa Fe, NM 87507-2929
1-800-925-9387

Plants of the Southwest offers a vast array of plants on their Web site that are good choices for efficient water use.
3095 Agua Fria Rd
Santa Fe, NM 87507
505-438-8888

Books

	Xeriscape Colorado: The Complete Guide by Connie Lockhart Ellefson
	Paradise By Design: Native Plants and the New American Landscape by Kathryn Phillips
	Creating the Prairie Xeriscape: Low-Maintenance, Water-Efficient Gardening by Sara Williams
	Southwestern Landscaping With Native Plants by Judith Phillips
	The Xeriscape Flower Gardener: A Waterwise Guide for the Rocky Mountain Region by Jim Knopf
	Xeriscape Color Guide edited by Denver Water
	Xeriscape Plant Guide edited by Denver Water
	Xeriscape Handbook by Gayle Weinstein
	Grow Native: Landscaping With Native and Apt Plants of the Rocky Mountains by S. Huddleston and M. Hussey
	Xeriscape Gardening: Water Conservation for the American Landscape by Connie Lockhart Ellefson