If you think xeriscaping means covering your yard in gravel and calling it a day, think again. Modern xeriscaping in Denver is vibrant, colorful, and increasingly popular as water rates climb and conservation awareness grows.
1. Native Wildflower Meadow
Replace a section of turf with a mix of native wildflowers like Blanket Flower, Black-Eyed Susan, and Rocky Mountain Penstemon. Once established, these meadows need almost no supplemental watering and attract pollinators all season long.
2. Ornamental Grass Garden
Karl Foerster grass, Blue Avena, and Mexican Feather grass create stunning movement and texture. Plant in masses for dramatic effect. These grasses handle Denver's wind, altitude, and clay soil without complaint.
3. Rock Garden with Alpine Plants
Take advantage of Denver's proximity to the mountains with an alpine-inspired rock garden. Use local flagstone, plant hardy sedums and sempervivums in crevices, and add low-growing thyme between stepping stones.
4. Dry Creek Bed
A dry creek bed is both functional (managing drainage) and beautiful. Use river rock of varying sizes to create a natural-looking watercourse that handles storm runoff while adding a stunning focal point.
5. Pollinator Pathway
Create a winding path bordered with lavender, catmint, and agastache. These plants are drought-tolerant, deer-resistant, and provide food for bees and butterflies from May through October.
6. Succulent and Sedum Wall
Vertical gardens using hardy succulents and sedums work well in Denver's dry climate. Install them on a south-facing wall or fence for maximum impact with zero irrigation needed after establishment.
7. Permeable Patio with Creeping Thyme
Replace a standard patio with permeable pavers and plant creeping thyme between them. The thyme handles foot traffic, releases fragrance when stepped on, and never needs mowing.
8. Rain Garden
Capture roof runoff in a shallow, planted depression. Native sedges, iris, and switchgrass thrive in the periodic moisture while filtering stormwater naturally. Denver's climate makes rain gardens particularly effective since the dry periods between storms allow the garden to drain completely.
9. Front Yard Food Forest
Combine fruit trees (apple, cherry, plum varieties suited for Denver), berry bushes, and drought-tolerant herbs into an edible landscape. With proper mulching and drip irrigation, a food forest uses less water than a traditional lawn.
10. Buffalo Grass Lawn
If you want the look of a lawn without the water bill, buffalo grass is native to Colorado's plains and needs just 50% of the water that Kentucky Bluegrass requires. It stays green from May through October with minimal mowing.
Ready to Xeriscape?
Summit Landscaping has been designing and installing xeriscapes across Denver since 2014. We handle everything from design to installation, and we know exactly which plants thrive in Denver's unique conditions. Contact us for a free consultation.
