With the Western drought continuing to make headlines, planting a dazzling garden or lush landscaping in the desert might feel wrong. But it doesn’t have to be.
There are plenty of hearty shrubs, flowers, vines and trees that require little water but offer a big aesthetic payoff.
With the right plants and watering system, a beautiful desert garden can be had with a simple trip to the store and some elbow grease.
Water-conscious varieties
Though you should ask a gardening specialist how to care for each specific plant you buy, these varieties typically require water only about twice a week.
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Potted cacti
Cacti
The care of cacti is as low-maintenance as it gets, and they are a great way to add interest to your garden. They come in a range of shapes and sizes, and many bloom brightly colored flowers. Agave, aloe, wheeler and kangaroo paw are popular varieties.
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Honeysuckle
Honeysuckle
Grown either as a vine or a shrub, this fragrant, leafy plant provides greenery throughout the year and yellow or white flowers from spring to late fall that are a favorite for butterflies.
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Ornamental grasses
There are dozens of varieties of ornamental grasses from which to choose. Their long, spiky tufts are fast-growing and work well in the ground or in a pot. They come in a variety of colors, including blue and purple.
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Myoporum
This is a leafy, bright green, ground-hugging plant that works well as a fast-growing ground cover on slopes and banks. Or, plant it in a decorative pot. It thrives in morning sun and offers white flowers in the summer.
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Pindo palm
Palms
Palms require heavier watering in their first years, but they are great for giving your garden a desert oasis feel. Pick from a variety of sizes, including sky-high date and Mexican fan palms, mid-size Mexican blue palms (which are great near pools) or hearty Pindo palms, which can withstand both extreme heat and frost.
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Rosemary
Rosemary
This fragrant, fast-growing bush with delicate flowers can be grown as a shrub or as part of an herb garden. It requires nurturing in its first year but is an otherwise low-maintenance plant.
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Weeping bottle brush
Weeping bottlebrush
This smaller tree native to Australia is a moderate-growing evergreen that in spring and summer erupts in bright, red flowers that hummingbirds and butterflies love. The trees prefer drier soil, so avoid planting it in grass or windy areas.
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Prostrate acacia
Also known as “desert carpet,” this tall, willowy ground cover can spread up to 10 feet wide and blooms with dainty, golden flowers in the spring.
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Echinacea
Coneflower (echinacea)
These perennials produce purple, long-stemmed flowers that are perfect for adding a pop of color to your landscape.
Effective ways to water
■ To avoid wasting water, drip irrigation is the best way to go, as it delivers just the right amount needed directly to the root of a plant.
Though drip systems can be expensive to install, they save time and money in the long run.
If you can’t use drip irrigation, experts recommend using a watering pail so you can measure the exact amount of water needed for each plant.
■ If you have a lawn, check your sprinklers at least once every season to ensure they’re in proper working condition and delivering water at the correct spray and angle.
Also, be sure to water your lawn only at the times and on the days designated by the Las Vegas Valley Water District. From May 1 to Oct. 1, watering is prohibited from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
More information: lvvwd.com/conservation/drought_watering_schedule.html
Water use offenders
Tropical and subtropical plants such as azaleas and philodendron should be avoided, as their soft, delicate skin is used to sucking up water in lush rainforest environments.
Similarly, many bright-colored flowers such as geraniums, pansies and petunias are particularly thirsty and generally don’t do well in the sun. If you must have them, keep them in the shade or inside to avoid exposure and use less water.
Conservation pays
Desert landscaping isn’t just good for the environment — it can pay.
The Southern Nevada Water Authority’s Water Smart Landscape Rebate Program rebates customers $1.50 for every square foot of grass that’s removed and replaced with desert landscaping. The rebate applies to up to 5,000 square feet per property, per year. The rebate drops to $1 per square foot after the first 5,000 square feet. The maximum rebate a property can receive in a fiscal year is $300,000.
More information: snwa.com/rebates/wsl.html
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