July 23rd, 2010 by Matt Corrion
Converting an outdated landscape into landscaping that uses less water is not as hard as you might think. And there are many benefits!
One of the best ways to do this is to convert your high water-use landscaping into a Xeriscape (pronounced “zeer-escape”). This can be done anywhere- from a small home landscape, to a large commercial property.
Many people have an image of Xeriscape as a “sea of rocks, with a few cactus plants”. But Xeriscape can also be a lush, green and colorful landscape that is interwoven with flowering plants, textures, and beauty throughout each season. In my opinion it is much more beautiful and interesting than “traditional” landscaping.
The Top 10 Benefits Are:
10. Less Maintenance
9. Use Less Water & Better for the Environment
8. Prevent Water Damage
7. More Beautiful, Colorful & Unique
6. Better Wildlife Habitat
5. Less Fertilizers & Pesticides Needed
4. Better Suited to Your Site’s Unique Conditions
3. More Winter Beauty
2. Better Prepared for Drought
1. Saves You Money
Now I will discuss each benefit in greater detail and explain what each one can mean for you:
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Tags: irrigation, lists, water conservation, Xeriscape
Posted in Maintenance- General Tips, Site Renovation Planning & Design | No Comments »
June 28th, 2010 by Matt Corrion
I was recently discussing a project with a client and they were unaware that we had the capability to do photo simulations showing what a proposed project would look like. This can be a valuable tool for visualizing a design, as well as being useful to show planning commissions, city councils, and the public what the impact of a new project or site renovation will be.
Below are two examples of “quick and dirty” photo simulations that we recently completed on fast turnaround schedules. We also have the capability in our office to do larger and much more detailed and elaborate simulations, as well as 3D graphics through a talented outside consultant. If you are looking for an effective way to communicate your design concept this may be a great solution- just give us a call!
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Tags: project graphics, site renovation
Posted in New Project Images | No Comments »
June 16th, 2010 by Matt Corrion
Here a few images I snapped from my “dry Xeriscape” garden at my home in Arvada, Colorado. This garden faces southwest, and receives little to no supplemental watering. The area was previous an irrigated lawn before I converted it to this Xeriscape.
Delosperma (Red Mountain and Mesa Verde Iceplant) and Actostaphylos x coloradoensis (Panchito Manzanita)
Dry Xeriscape Garden
Erigonum umbellatum (Kannah Creek Buckwheat)
Delosperma (Red Mountain and Mesa Verde Iceplant)
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Tags: plants, residential, Xeriscape
Posted in Matt's Recommended Plants, Residential Landscapes | 1 Comment »
May 31st, 2010 by Matt Corrion
Question: How much of my water goes toward irrigating my landscaping?
Answer: In Denver, 54% of the average residential customer’s water use goes toward irrigating the landscaping.
The average person in Denver uses 128 gallons of water per day for residential use.
The breakdown of residential water use:
- 1% Dishwashers
- 5% Leaks
- 6% Faucets
- 10% Showers and Baths
- 11% Laundry
- 13% Toilets
- 54% Landscaping
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Tags: water conservation, Xeriscape
Posted in Site Renovation Planning & Design | No Comments »
April 30th, 2010 by Matt Corrion
Did you know that in Colorado over 50% of the water used on a typical property goes toward irrigating the landscaping?
Most of this is treated water that has gone through a long and expensive process of being collected and travelling through a complex system of catch basins, detention ponds and storm drains.
Next, the water is treated at a water treatment facility to the point where is certified drinking-quality tap water- often it is of better quality than what you would buy in a bottled water.
Finally, the water leaves the facility and travels through a DIFFERENT extensive system of pipes to your home or business. The system, and all of the maintenance on it, is paid for by you the taxpayer.
Why then, would you design or maintain a landscape that sheds drinking quality water every day right back into the storm drain?
Water Running off Into the Gutter
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Tags: Landscape Design, water conservation, what not to do
Posted in Commercial Landscapes, Site Renovation Planning & Design | No Comments »
March 30th, 2010 by Matt Corrion
I often get asked to recommend Xeriscape plants for Colorado landscapes. This is a difficult task because there are so many to chose from, and I would hate to limit anyone’s pallette to a limited number. After all, it is the variety in color, textures, and form that makes Xeriscaping so attractive.
That being said, I do think a small list can be helpful to people who are new to the area, or are not familiar with the available plant choices and may be overwhelmed by a catalog of thousands of plants. Although this is a Colorado list, most of these plants can be used in many places throughout the world depending on the local climate.
- Fernbush – Chamaebatiaria millefolium Fernbush is a medium sized shrub with interesting fern-like leaves that persist throughout the winter. This shrub requires little water or maintenance, and produces clusters of small white flowers in the late spring through early summer.
- Agastache - Agastache ssp. Agastache, or hummingbird mint, is a fragrant group of colorful perennial herbs that is available in many colors mostly ranging from orange to pink. The plants are covered with beautiful tubular flowers from mid-summer to fall. Hummingbirds absolutely love these plants. Read the rest of this entry »
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Tags: lists, plants, Xeriscape
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March 1st, 2010 by Matt Corrion
A little housekeeping from 2009-
Below is a photo slideshow with before and after images of a residential landscape renovation that we completed in fall of last year:
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Tags: Landscape Design, project photos, residential
Posted in New Project Images, Residential Landscapes | No Comments »
February 21st, 2010 by Matt Corrion
More communities are realizing that Xeriscape (low water use landscaping) makes sense, and are actively promoting it.
photo of a converted xeriscape that was previously a lawn area
The City of Aurora, Colorado and Aurora Water have been pioneers in water conservation through supporting regionally appropriate landscape design. Outdoor Design Group has been actively involved with the program for the last couple of years. For 2010, the Xeriscape Rebate program has been allocated $250,000 dollars for rebates to convert high water use landscapes (sod, turf, or lawn) to Xeriscape.
In past posts on this blog, I have documented the money and water savings and given examples of the beauty of these landscapes. Each site is different, but in general you can expect a Read the rest of this entry »
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Tags: Industry News, site renovation, water conservation, Xeriscape
Posted in Commercial Landscapes, Industry News, Residential Landscapes, Site Renovation Planning & Design | No Comments »
February 6th, 2010 by Matt Corrion
Brrrrr… It’s cold out there! The last thing you are probably thinking about is landscaping. Or, if you are like me you already have the itch to get outdoors and are counting the days until spring. Whether you are a restless home gardener looking for reasons to get outside, or you are performing maintenance on a commercial property and want to do all you can to have it look great some spring, there are many tasks that can be accomplished over winter. Get the hot chocolate ready!
Key Dates
- Late February: Stop any pruning from this point on- spring is right around the corner, and woody plants are developing buds and preparing for the new season.
- Late March: Plants will begin to emerge for spring at this time. As plants (especially Xeriscape plants) emerge and show signs of new growth, begin to remove any heavy mulching that was done to protect them over the winter. Read the rest of this entry »
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Tags: lists, maintenance
Posted in Maintenance Tips- WINTER | 1 Comment »
January 27th, 2010 by Matt Corrion
Panchito Manzanita is one of my favorite plants- and not just because the name is so fun to say. What sets this plant apart is that it’s: 1) low-growing, 2) evergreen , and 3) it can handle full sun and minimal watering. That combination can be difficult to find outside of the standard limited options like the low-growing junipers.
As we convert more lawn areas into Xeriscape to save water, I think the use of evergreen plants is a vital design element to help replace some of the green color of the replaced lawn that is lost. Panchito Manzanita is an excellent choice because it looks great year-round, stays fairly compact, and requires little maintenance.
PLANT STATS
Scientific Name: Arctostaphylos x coloradoensis
Plant Type: Evergreen Shrub
Mature Height: 12-24″
Mature Spread: 18″-48″ (quite variable, depending on conditions)
Water Requirement: Low- may need more water the first growing season, but requires little water once established.
Exposure: Full Sun to very light shade
Best Features: Unique evergreen foliage consisting of leathery 1″ long leaves. This plant really looks great year-round.
Flowers: Small urn-shaped pink to white flowers from February to April
Winter Interest: Very attractive evergreen foliage, reddish colored stems and bark
Disadvantages: Slow grower the first season or two
Availability and Sizes: I have been told that this plant is quite difficult to propagate- therefor It can be a little hard to find. As it gains more popularity and demand for it goes up, it should be available in larger quantities. Usually it is sold in 1 gallon size containers. Since it is slow-growing, a 5 gallon size shrub would be even better.
Maintenance Tip: A low maintenance plant. You may want to prune a branch or two here or there.
Other: Named to Plant Select in 2006. Do not confuse with Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, which prefers much more moisture and shade.
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Tags: plants
Posted in Matt's Recommended Plants | 1 Comment »
