What Is Xeriscape Landscaping?

Colorado Springs receives 15–19 inches of annual precipitation, roughly half the U.S. average, making xeriscape landscaping essential for homeowners seeking to reduce outdoor water use by 60% or more while maintaining curb appeal.

Key Takeaways

• Colorado Springs gets 15–19 inches rain yearly; xeriscape cuts outdoor water use by 60%+
• Denver Water coined 'xeriscape' in 1981; now standard for drought-prone regions
• Colorado soil averages pH 7.5–8.5; needs 6 inches compost for drainage improvement
• 3–4 inches mulch layer reduces evaporation; drip irrigation uses significantly less water

If you are a Colorado Springs homeowner and your water bill spikes every summer, xeriscape landscaping is the answer you have been looking for. It is not bare dirt, gray gravel, or a cactus-covered wasteland. It is a complete system for growing a beautiful yard that works with Colorado's semi-arid climate instead of fighting it.

Colorado Springs averages just 15 to 19 inches of precipitation per year, roughly half the national average of 38 inches. A conventional Kentucky bluegrass lawn was designed for climates that get twice that rain. Xeriscape puts your yard in sync with what this region actually gets.

What is the short definition of xeriscape?

Xeriscape (pronounced ZEER-ih-skape) combines the Greek word "xero," meaning dry, with "landscape." It was coined by Denver Water in 1981 to describe a set of landscaping practices that cut water use without sacrificing a good-looking yard.

Colorado WaterWise research shows that converting a traditional lawn to xeriscape can cut outdoor water use by 60 percent or more. For a typical Colorado Springs home, that is a meaningful reduction on a bill that climbs every time Stage 1 drought restrictions kick in.

What are the 7 principles of xeriscape landscaping?

CSU Extension built the xeriscape framework around seven core principles. These are the same principles our team applies on every xeriscape installation in the Briargate and Stetson Hills neighborhoods.

1. Planning and Design A drawn plan before any shovel hits the ground. This step identifies which areas get full sun, where drainage runs, and which zones can support turf versus drought-tolerant plants.

2. Soil Analysis and Improvement Colorado Springs soil is typically clay-heavy with a pH between 7.5 and 8.5. Compost worked into the top 6 inches improves drainage and root development before a single plant goes in.

3. Appropriate Plant Selection This is where xeriscape really shines. Colorado has nearly 3,000 native plant species. Choosing plants adapted to our altitude and rainfall means they thrive with little supplemental water once established. Visit our native plants page for species lists.

4. Practical Turf Areas Lawn is not banned in a xeriscape. It is just placed where it serves a real function, like a play area for kids or a defined entertaining space. Turf that just exists to exist gets replaced with rock gravel landscaping or ground covers.

5. Efficient Irrigation Drip lines and soaker hoses deliver water directly to root zones instead of spraying it into the air. Our irrigation conversion service replaces old pop-up sprinklers with targeted drip systems that use significantly less water.

6. Use of Mulch A 3-to-4-inch layer of mulch, either organic bark or rock and gravel, slows evaporation dramatically. On a hot Colorado summer day, mulch keeps soil moisture from evaporating before roots can use it.

7. Appropriate Maintenance A well-designed xeriscape needs less maintenance than a traditional lawn, not more. There is no weekly mowing, no fertilizer schedule, and no sprinkler adjustment every time restrictions change.

What is xeriscape landscaping not?

It is not zero-scape. That phrase describes an empty yard with nothing growing. Xeriscape has color, texture, and seasonal interest throughout the year. Blue grama grass, Russian sage, penstemons, and Apache plume give a Colorado Springs yard genuine visual appeal from spring through fall.

It is also not a one-size-fits-all gravel dump. A xeriscape design is specific to your lot, your sun exposure, and what you actually want to see from your window.

Why Colorado Springs Homeowners Are Making the Switch

Beyond water savings, homeowners in Fountain, Manitou Springs, and across the Pikes Peak region are converting because Colorado Springs Utilities currently enforces Stage 1 drought response restrictions limiting turf watering to twice per week. A xeriscape yard simply does not need those twice-weekly runs.

You may also qualify for rebates through Colorado Springs Utilities or other local programs. See our xeriscape rebates page for current offers.

Ready to Get Started?

If you are curious what xeriscape landscaping could look like on your specific property, we are happy to walk through it with you. Call (719) 631-2371 or get a free estimate and we will come out, assess your yard, and put together a plan.