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When I began designing
Kenny Rogers estate
near Athens, GA, he sent me to Malibu, CA Beverly Hills, CA and Los
Angeles, California to meet with his designers to learn about designing
California Style landscapes, lighting, horticultural practices, etc.
Two variations of California style landscaping
are xeriscaping (see
definition below) and Balinese
style landscaping which the humid tropical (high water
use) version of California style landscaping.
<Mass Plantings, cone shaped planter in circle drive garden
walls.
>Entrance walls, gates, and hardware |
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Xeriscape landscaping, by definition,
is landscaping designed specifically for areas that are susceptible to
drought, or for properties where water conservation is practiced.
Derived from the Greek xeros meaning "dry," the term, xeriscape
means literally "dry landscape."
Note that "xeriscape" is pronounced as if it began with the letter, Z.
This sometimes leads to the misspelling, "zeroscape." But xeriscape
landscaping techniques needn't result in a "big zero" for landscape
design aesthetics. In fact, as most people employ the term, xeriscape
landscaping needn't be limited to desert plants, such as cacti. Rather,
a xeriscape landscaping policy allows you to use the plants you want,
but insists on common-sense measures that will help conserve water, such
as grouping plants with similar water requirements together.
Nonetheless, a common element in xeriscape landscaping is the reduction
of lawn grass areas, since lawn grass is often one of the worst
offenders against water conservation.
Another widespread tactic in
xeriscape landscaping is the deployment of indigenous plants, since they
are adapted to the local climate and consequently require less water.
Also Known As:
xeriscaping
Common Misspellings: zeriscape landscaping,
zeroscape landscaping, xeroscape landscaping |
