While Xeriscaping is most often thought of as a design style, it’s actually a set of principles and methods for creating water wise landscapes and gardens regardless of style. Still, when a client tells me they want a xeriscape design, most times they really mean they want something that is of the desert Southwest nature. So today, more often than not, it is referred to as a style.

Xeriscaping Principles And Methods

For the sake of the perceived meaning of xeriscaping, most of the pictures, ideas, and plans in this post represent a southwest desert landscaping style. However, for a technical understanding and the true benefits of xeriscaping, it’s first important to get an understanding of the true meaning and applications of xeric principles. See Xeriscaping Principles And Ideas. You will also find more good pointers and different ideas at Xeriscape Colorado and Xeriscape NM .

While the phrasing may be different from explanation to explanation, the basics of xeriscaping are all the same and very simple to use. Grouping plants, creating rich organic soil, terracing, and other low water use practices are simple common sense but aren’t considered into most landscape or garden design. With today’s awareness for the need of green earth friendly living, xeriscape principles should be a consideration in all new landscaping and garden designs.

Xeriscape Ideas And Pictures

Again, while xeriscaping can be applied to most any landscaping or garden design style, it is most often applied to Southwest, Desert, Santa Fe, and Arizona styles. See –

Xeriscaping Ideas And Pictures
A collection of Southwest desert Santa Fe landscape design photos, ideas, and plans.

xeriscaping ideas
A collection of some of my own design ideas and plans.

Xeriscaping Plans
A collection of some the best xeric, desert, Southwest, and low water use design plans and ideas from other designers and sources on the web.

Southwest Landscaping Ideas

See Desert Southwest Landscaping ideas for a collection of other designers and plans applied to xeriscaping landscapes and gardens.

Article By Woods Houghton

Extreme changes in weather are hard on plants and trees. In Eddy county we more often than not see a period of time in the mid 70’s then three days later the temperature will not get over 40 F, followed by a time back in the high 60’s. This is very hard on trees and other plants. It can reveal itself as frost cracking, bark splitting, or bark discoloration know as scalding. I often see this in trees that are exposed to brick walls, pavement or reflection from white rocks. Often it is the wrong plant in the wrong place. It is made worse by trees which do not receive adequate water late in the season before winter hits.

What happens is warm winter sunlight warms up the southern or southwestern side of young or smooth or dark barked trees or a wall or pavement reflect sunlight or warmth to the tree. When the temperatures drop the bark than cool down to ambient temperatures or may even get cooler then ambient air because of the cooling effect that occurs with temperature loss.

Another factor is winter sunlight can actually dehydrate the bark usually on the southern exposure. The symptoms may not occur immediately but may occur up to three years later. The symptoms are splits or crack, sunken dead areas or bark pealing. To prevent this keep the soil around the trees moist this helps cool the trees, use mulch around trees that is natural in color. Paint susceptible trees with white water based paint diluted to the consistency of whole milk for about 3.5 feet down.

Eddy County Extension Service, New Mexico State University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and educator. All programs are available to everyone regardless of race, color, religion, sex, age, handicap, or national origin. New Mexico State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the Eddy County Government Cooperating.

Poinsettias can be kept year after year, and they will bloom each year if you give them proper care.

When the leaves begin to yellow or when the plan is no longer desired as an ornamental, gradually withhold water. The leaves will pale and fall, and the colorful bracts will be the last to go. After all the leaves have fallen, store the plant in its pot, in a cool dry dark area. Keep the plant on the dry side, water only to keep the stems from withering.

In April or May, bring the plant out of storage. Cut the main stems six inches above the soil level. Remove the pot and old soil from the roots. Repot the plant in fresh medium having good drainage. Place the pant in a warm, sunny spot for renewed growth. Keep the humidity high to encourage rapid new growth. Once the pant is active apply a week fertilizer once a month.

After frost danger is past, sink the pot into a protected and sunny bed. Light shade is ideal during the hottest part of the day. Lift the pot occasionally to prevent root growth into surrounding soil.

Keep the poinsettia actively growing all summer by watering and fertilizing regularly.

To obtain a bushy plant pinch new shoot back so that at least two nodes remain on each until late August. Remove week stems completely, so only a few of the stronger one develop.

As cool fall weather begins, take the plant inside to a south window with full sun. Poinsettias do best in full fall sun and the bracts (apparent petals) obtain their deepest color in good light.

The poinsettia is known as a true long-night plant. This means that the plant must be in total darkness for about 14 hours out of every day for a four-week period to form flower buds. In late September or early October make certain the poinsettia receives no artificial light after nightfall.

For more information Contact your Local County Extension office and ask for guide H-406. This and all programs are available to everyone regardless of age, color, disability, gender, national origin, race, religion, or veteran status. New Mexico State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the Eddy County Government Cooperating to put knowledge to work.

Eddy County Extension Service and New Mexico State University is an equal opportunity employer and educator. Eddy County Government, New Mexico State University and the U.S. Department of Agriculture cooperating, to put knowledge to work.

Woods E. Houghton

Eddy County Agriculture Extension Agent

1304 West Stevens

Carlsbad, NM 88220