Xeriscaping is a landscaping philosophy that was created in Denver during a
drought period in the 70s and 80s. The goal of xeriscaping is to
use water-efficient plants and layouts to create visually appealing
landscapes that are less dependent on water. (In fact, the word
xeriscape comes from xēros,
the Greek word for “dry.”)
Xeriscaping is a landscaping philosophy that was
created in Denver during a drought period in the 70s and 80s.
The goal of xeriscaping is to use water-efficient plants and
layouts to create visually appealing landscapes that are less
dependent on water. (In fact, the word xeriscape comes from
xēros,
the Greek word for “dry.”)
Xeriscaping is great for anyone who lives in a desert climate
that’s susceptible to drought, but it works wonderfully in
non-dry climates too. And no matter where you live, decorative
concrete can enhance the appearance and function of your xeriscape
front yard or back yard.
First, letâs go over some of the benefits of xeriscaping
before jumping into some beautiful concrete xeriscape ideas.
Why Do People Love Xeriscaping?
When it comes down to it, xeriscaping is really about conserving
water without sacrificing aesthetics, which means the strategy can
be easily adapted to any climate. Thatâs why the look and feel of
your landscape will depend on your reason for embracing the
philosophy, especially in a non-dry region like the Portland,
Oregon area.
If youâre xeriscaping because you love the aesthetic of desert
plants, youâll want to choose those. On the other hand, if your
primary goal is to save water, help the environment, or support
your local ecosystem, you might choose native plants that will
thrive in your area with little or no maintenance.
Here are just a few reasons why many people choose to embrace
the xeriscape philosophy:
- Water conservation
- A low-maintenance yard
- Reduced need for fertilizers
- Gardening enjoyment
- Aesthetics
Adding Concrete to Your
Xeriscape Design
Hardscaping with decorative concrete can be a beautiful and
practical element of any xeriscape design since concrete is an
extremely versatile material that needs relatively little
maintenance. Here are some tips for incorporating concrete into
your landscape:
Section off distinct areas with concrete.
Group plants together by how much water and care they need. You
can incorporate a variety of different dividers to add more
interest or stick with just one type for a clean, minimalist look.
Here are a few ideas:
Decorative concrete edging- Concrete walls to visually separate sections of your yard
- Raised flower beds or plant holders
If your yard is sloped, consider creating a few tiers and
containing them with concrete walls to prevent erosion.
RELATED:
Building a Landscape Retaining Wall on a Slope
More concrete, less lawn.
One of the main tenets of xeriscaping is avoiding a big,
high-maintenance lawn. Replacing your grass with rocks, gravel, or
a beautiful concrete design is an eco-friendly and low-maintenance
solution. Here are a few decorative concrete ideas:
- Wide concrete pathway to give you easy access to all your
plants - Creative stamped
concrete patio with the design of your choice - Smooth,
sand finish stepping stones or stairs - Large, square concrete slabs with gravel or dirt between them
to create a modern, geometric look
Expand existing concrete
areas.
One logical and easy way to incorporate concrete is to simply
build on the concrete elements you already have. Could you use a
bigger driveway to make more space for cars or potted plants? Do
you have a small patio in the back yard surrounded by lawn? You
might decide to expand the patio to create more usable space so you
can add fun elements like:
- Cozy outdoor furniture
- Firepit
- Outdoor kitchen or dining area
- Pool or hot tub
Get creative.
Youâre not limited to traditional garden elements! This is
your space to enjoy, so you might as well design what you love.
Consider more unexpected elements, such as:
- Outdoor artwork like sculptures, recirculating fountains, and
more - Calming labyrinth garden
- Secret garden thatâs sectioned off from the rest of your
yard - Dedicated space for your favorite game, like a basketball court
or bocce ball court - Anything else you can dream up!
Planning to incorporate
concrete into your xeriscape design? We can help!
The team at GWC Decorative Concrete has more than 75 years of
combined experience working with decorative concrete. We have a
long history of delivering great results for our customers through
a combination of fine craftsmanship and great communication. Weâd
love to hear about your project and help transform your front or
back yard. Call us at (503) 849-0901
or contact
us online to get started.
The post Xeriscape
Ideas: How to Add Concrete to Your Xeriscape Design appeared
first on GWC
Decorative Concrete.
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