Water-Smart

Landscapes

Start With WaterSense®
Overview ...........................................................................1

What Is Water-Smart Landscaping? ...............................2

Why Use Water-Smart Landscaping? .............................4

How Is Water-Smart Landscaping Applied? ..................5

Water-Smart Landscape Irrigation Methods..................7

Water-Smart Landscape Examples .................................9

For More Information and Resources.............................12

Cover photographs from Gino Piscelli, Mississauga, Ontario; Joy Stewart, Bristol, Tennessee; 

Linda Andrews, Olympia, Washington; and John Galbraith, Grants Pass, Oregon
www.epa.gov/watersense/outdoor 1

Overview

Having a beautiful yard doesn’t have to mean using a lot of water or 

spending a lot of money. 

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s 

(EPA’s) WaterSense program can help you 

take some of the guesswork out of keeping a 

healthy yard while using less water.

Outdoor water use stresses existing water 

supplies by contributing to peak demand 

during summer months. During these hot, dry 

times, utilities must increase capacity to meet 

water needs, sometimes as much as three to 

four times the amount used during the winter.

This brochure provides a holistic approach to 

developing a water-smart landscape for your 

home or property. From thoughts on landscape 

design to daily maintenance, it includes a 

step-by-step process for any homeowner and 

examples of beautiful, water-saving landscapes 

from across the country.

WaterSense and this brochure make it easy to 

find products and information to ensure you 

have a water-smart landscape that you can be 

proud of—for both its natural beauty and its 

low impact on the environment.

WATER SENSE’S KEY STEPS FOR 

SAVING WATER OUTSIDE

• Timing is everything. Know how much 

water your landscape actually needs 

before you set your sprinkler. Your local 

water utility can offer recommendations 

and best times to water.

• Look for the label. WaterSense labeled 

irrigation controllers use local weather 

data to water only when needed. If 

your system uses a clock timer, consider 

upgrading to this smart technology.

• Go with a pro. Contractors certified 

through a WaterSense labeled program 

can audit, install, or maintain your system 

to ensure water isn’t wasted. Ask for 

credentials!

look for
Water is our most precious natural resource; 

without it, there is no life. Yet judging by our 

water use and consumption practices, many 

Americans take it for granted. 

The average American uses 100 gallons of 

water per day—that’s 320 gallons used every 

day by the average family. More and more 

Americans are demonstrating their water 

smarts indoors by retrofitting their homes with 

WaterSense labeled products. But outdoors, 

especially in the summer, the amount of water 

used by a household can exceed the amount 

used for all other purposes in the entire year. 

This is especially true in hot, dry climates. 

Gardening and lawn care account for the 

majority of this seasonal increase. Of the 

estimated 29 billion gallons of water used 

daily by households in the United States, more 

than 8.5 billion, or 30 percent, is devoted 

to outdoor water use. In dry climates, a 

household’s outdoor water use can be as high 

as 60 percent. The majority of this is used for 

landscaping. In fact, it is estimated that the 

average American home consumes 58,000 

gallons of water outdoors each year, mostly for 

irrigation.

Many mistakenly believe that stunning 

gardens and beautiful lawns are only possible 

through extensive watering, fertilization, 

and pesticide application. As this brochure 

demonstrates, eye-catching gardens and 

landscapes that save water and protect the 

environment are, in fact, easily achieved by 

employing water-smart landscaping. 

For specific information about how to best 

apply water-smart landscaping principles in 

your geographical area, consult with your 

county extension service and local garden and 

nursery centers. Local governments and water 

utilities also possess a wealth of information, 

suggestions, and sometimes incentives for 

using water more efficiently in all aspects of 

your life, including landscaping.

2 www.epa.gov/watersense/outdoor

Water-smart landscaping produces attractive landscapes because it 

uses designs and plants that are well suited to local conditions. 

What Is Water-Smart Landscaping?

HOW MUCH WATER DO WE 

USE OUTDOORS?

TOILET 

19%

LEAKS

9%

OTHER

4%

SHOWER

12%

OUTDOOR USE

30%

FAUCET 

11%

CLOTHES 

WASHER 

15%

Source: American Water Works Association Research Foundation
www.epa.gov/watersense/outdoor 3

• Go native or choose plants that need less water. Once established, 

native and low water-using plants require little water beyond normal 

rainfall. If you’re designing a new landscape or just sprucing up your 

current landscape, be sure to consider the water needs of the plants you 

choose.

• Group plants according to their water needs. Grouping vegetation 

with similar watering needs into specific “hydrozones” reduces water 

use by allowing you to water to each zone’s specific needs. Turf areas 

and shrub areas should always be separated into different hydrozones 

because of their differing water needs.

• Maintain healthy soils. Healthy soils are the basis for a water-smart 

landscape; they effectively cycle nutrients, minimize runoff, retain water, 

and absorb excess nutrients, sediments, and pollutants.

• Be selective when adding turf areas. Turfgrass receives the highest 

percentage of irrigation water in traditional landscaping. To improve 

the aesthetics of your landscape and better manage outdoor water use, 

plant turfgrass only where it has a practical function.

• Water wisely. Know your plant’s water needs and avoid watering during 

the heat of the day. If you have an irrigation system, make regular 

adjustments to ensure proper watering. And be sure to look for the 

WaterSense label on components for your system.

• Use mulch. Incorporate mulch around shrubs and garden plants to help 

reduce evaporation, inhibit weed growth, moderate soil temperature, 

and prevent erosion. Adding organic matter and aerating soil can 

improve its ability to hold water.

• Provide regular maintenance. Replace mulch around shrubs and 

garden plants at least once per year, and remove weeds and thatch as 

necessary.

In short, plan and maintain your landscape with these principles of water 

efficiency in mind, and it will continue to be attractive and healthy while 

requiring less maintenance and less water.

KEY TIPS TO REMEMBER WHEN IT COMES TO WATER-SMART LANDSCAPING: 
4 www.epa.gov/watersense/outdoor

Why Use Water-Smart Landscaping?

Water-smart yards often have increased curb 

appeal, which can lead to higher home values. 

In addition to requiring less water, fertilizer, 

pesticides, and usually less maintenance, watersmart landscapes offer many other benefits:

• Lower water bills from reduced water use.

• Conservation of natural resources and 

preservation of habitat for plants and wildlife, 

such as fish, birds, and waterfowl.

• Decreased energy use (and air pollution 

associated with its generation) because less 

pumping and treatment of water is required.

• Reduced home or office heating and cooling 

costs through the careful placement of shade 

trees and shrubs.

• Reduced runoff of stormwater and irrigation 

water that carries top soils, fertilizers, and 

pesticides into lakes, rivers, and streams.

• Fewer yard trimmings to be managed or 

landfilled.

• Reduced landscaping labor and maintenance 

costs.

• Extended life for water resource 

infrastructure (e.g., reservoirs, treatment 

plants, groundwater aquifers), thus 

reduced taxpayer costs.

If you’ve designed a water-smart landscape, 

you might be able to get all the water you need 

from rainfall alone. But sometimes, that might 

not be enough. Whether you water with a hose 

or use an irrigation system, smart watering 

habits can keep your lawn and landscape 

healthy and beautiful without wasting water or 

money.

Proper landscaping techniques not only create beautiful landscapes, 

but also benefit the environment and save water.

WATER-SMART LANDSCAPES 

VS. XERISCAPES

You may hear the term “xeriscape” when 

looking for information on water-smart 

landscaping. The two concepts are very 

similar and following the principles of either 

will lead to a water-efficient and attractive 

landscape.
www.epa.gov/watersense/outdoor 5

GO NATIVE OR CHOOSE PLANTS THAT 

NEED LESS WATER 

Your landscape design should take into account 

your local climate as well as soil conditions. 

Focus on preserving as many existing trees and 

shrubs as possible, because established plants 

usually require less water and maintenance. 

Choose plants native to your region. Native 

plants, once established, require very little to no 

additional water beyond normal rainfall. Also, 

because they are adapted to local soils and 

climatic conditions, native plants commonly do 

not require the addition of fertilizers and are 

more resistant to pests and disease. 

When selecting plants, avoid those labeled 

“hard to establish,” “susceptible to disease,” or 

“needs frequent attention,” as these types of 

plants frequently require large amounts of 

supplemental water, fertilizers, and pesticides. 

Be careful when selecting non-indigenous or 

exotic species, as some of them can become 

invasive. An invasive plant might be a water 

guzzler and will surely choke out native 

species. Your state or county extension service 

or local nursery can help you select appropriate 

plants for your area.

PLAN BEFORE YOU PLANT

Developing a landscape plan is the first and 

most important step in creating a water-smart 

landscape. Your plan should take into account 

the regional and microclimatic conditions of the 

site, existing vegetation, topography, intended 

uses of the property, and most importantly, the 

grouping of plants by their water needs. Also 

consider the plants’ sun or shade requirements 

and preferred soil conditions. A well-thoughtout landscape plan can serve as your roadmap 

in creating beautiful, water-smart landscapes 

and allow you to continually improve your 

landscape over time.

MAINTAIN HEALTHY SOILS

Because soils vary from site to site, test 

your soil before beginning your landscape 

improvements. Check with your local garden 

center for soil test kits and proper amendments. 

Alternatively, your county extension service can 

likely:

• Analyze the pH levels; nutrient levels (e.g., 

nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium); and the 

sand, silt, clay, and organic matter content of 

your soil.

• Suggest ways to improve your soil’s ability 

to support plants and retain water (e.g., by 

aeration or the addition of soil amendments).

How Is Water-Smart 

Landscaping Applied?

Through careful planning, landscapes can be designed to be both 

pleasing to the senses and kind to the environment.
6 www.epa.gov/watersense/outdoor

BE SELECTIVE WHEN ADDING TURF AREAS 

How and where turf is placed in the landscape 

can significantly reduce the amount of 

irrigation water needed to support the 

landscape. Lawns require a large amount of 

supplemental water and generally greater 

maintenance than other vegetation. Use turf 

where it has a practical function, such as in play 

or recreation areas. Grouping turf areas can 

increase watering efficiency and significantly 

reduce evaporative and runoff losses. Select 

a type of grass that can withstand drought 

periods and become dormant during hot, dry 

seasons. Reducing or eliminating turf areas 

altogether further reduces water use.

WATER WISELY

Proper irrigation is an important part of using 

water efficiently outdoors, and applies in any 

landscape. For this reason, an entire section of 

this brochure addresses efficient irrigation; it 

can be found on page 7.

USE OF MULCHES

Mulches aid in greater retention of water 

by minimizing evaporation, reducing weed 

growth, moderating soil temperatures, and 

preventing erosion. Organic mulches also 

improve the condition of your soil as they 

decompose. Mulches are typically composed of 

wood bark chips, wood grindings, pine straws, 

nut shells, small gravel, and/or shredded 

landscape clippings. Avoid using rock mulches 

in sunny areas or around non-arid climate 

plants, as they radiate large amounts of heat 

and promote water loss that can lead to 

scorching. Avoid using too much mulch, as 

excessive amounts can restrict water flow to 

plant roots.

APPROPRIATE MAINTENANCE 

Water and fertilize plants only as needed. 

Too much water promotes weak growth and 

increases pruning and mowing requirements. 

Like any landscape, a water-smart yard can 

require regular pruning, weeding, pest control, 

and possibly irrigation. 

As your landscape matures, it will require less 

maintenance and less water. Cutting turfgrass 

only when it reaches 2 to 3 inches promotes 

deeper root growth and a more droughtresistant lawn. As a rule of thumb, mow your 

turfgrass before it requires more than 1 inch 

to be removed. The proper cutting height 

varies, however, with the type of grass, so you 

should contact your county extension service 

or local nursery to find out the ideal cutting 

height for your lawn. Avoid shearing plants or 

giving them high-nitrogen fertilizers during 

dry periods because these practices encourage 

water-demanding new growth.
www.epa.gov/watersense/outdoor 7

The information included in this section 

applies to every yard, whether it is designed 

specifically with water efficiency in mind or not.

With today’s common watering practices, up to 

50 percent of the water applied to lawns and 

gardens is not absorbed by the plants. It is lost 

through evaporation, runoff, or being pushed 

beyond the root zone because it is applied too 

quickly or in excess of the plants’ needs. The goal 

of efficient irrigation is to reduce these losses 

by applying only as much water as is needed to 

keep your plants healthy, whether you have a 

water-smart or a conventional landscape. 

To promote the strong root growth that 

supports a plant during drought, water deeply 

and water only when the plant needs it. For 

clay soils, it is recommended to water less 

deeply, and in multiple cycles. Irrigating with 

consideration to soil type, the condition of your 

plants, the season, and weather conditions—

rather than on a fixed schedule—significantly 

improves your watering efficiency and results 

in healthier plants. Grouping plants according 

to similar water needs also makes watering 

easier and more efficient. 

Lawns, gardens, and landscapes can be 

irrigated manually or with an automatic 

irrigation system. Manual watering with a 

handheld hose tends to be the most waterefficient method. According to the American 

Water Works Association (AWWA) Research 

Foundation’s Residential End Uses of Water

study, households that manually water with 

a hose typically use 33 percent less water 

outdoors than the average household. The 

study also showed that households with 

in-ground sprinkler systems used 35 percent 

more water; those with automatic timers 

used 47 percent more water; and those with 

drip irrigation systems used 16 percent more 

water than households without these types 

of systems. These results show that in-ground 

sprinkler and drip irrigation systems must be 

operated properly to be water-efficient. 

YARDS WITHOUT AUTOMATIC 

IRRIGATION SYSTEMS

You can use a handheld hose or a sprinkler 

for manual irrigation. To reduce water losses 

from evaporation and wind, avoid sprinklers 

that produce a fine mist or spray high into the 

air. Soaker hoses can also be very efficient and 

effective when used properly. Also, consider 

using a handheld soil moisture probe to 

determine when irrigation is needed. 

Water-Smart Landscape 

Irrigation Methods

GET THE MOST OUT OF YOUR 

IRRIGATION SYSTEM 

• Set sprinklers to water the lawn or 

garden only—not the street or sidewalk, 

because they don’t grow!

• Play “zone” defense. Schedule each 

individual zone in your irrigation system 

to account for the type of sprinkler, sun or 

shade exposure, and the soil type for the 

specific area. The same watering schedule 

rarely applies to all zones in the system.

• Consult a professional. A certified 

irrigation professional can design, install, 

maintain, and/or audit your system to 

ensure optimal efficiency and that you 

are using the proper amount of water to 

maintain a healthy landscape. 

Don’t let your yard control your water bill. 
8 www.epa.gov/watersense/outdoor

YARDS WITH AUTOMATIC 

IRRIGATION SYSTEMS

To make automatic irrigation systems more 

efficient, consider upgrading your standard 

clock timer to a WaterSense labeled irrigation 

controller. And rain sensors or soil moisture 

sensors will also help prevent waste by 

ensuring that the sprinkler does not turn on 

during and immediately after rainfall or when 

soil moisture levels are above preprogrammed 

levels. Drip-type irrigation systems are 

considered the most efficient of the automated 

irrigation methods because they deliver water 

directly to the plants’ roots. 

With automatic systems, overwatering is 

most common during the fall when summer 

irrigation schedules have not been adjusted 

to the cooler temperatures. Irrigation system 

schedules should always be adjusted down in 

the fall to prevent overwatering in the colder 

months.

EPA’s WaterSense program also recognizes 

professional certification programs that 

advance water-efficient irrigation techniques 

and practices. Whether you’re upgrading your 

system, having it audited, or checking it at 

the beginning or end of the season, be sure 

to consult a professional who is certified by a 

WaterSense labeled program. Always ask for 

credentials to ensure that your contractor is 

knowledgeable about your plants’ water needs 

and your irrigation system.

RAINWATER HARVESTING

Saving water from storms with rain barrels or 

cisterns is a great way to further reduce your 

water consumption. Homes with access to 

alternative sources of irrigation can reduce 

their water bills and the runoff that would 

otherwise go into the street. Commercial 

rooftop collection systems are available, 

but simply diverting your downspout into a 

covered barrel is an easy, low-cost approach. 

When collecting rainwater, cover all collection 

vessels to prevent animals and children from 

entering and to prevent mosquito breeding. 

Some states might have laws which do not 

allow collection of rainwater, so be sure to 

check with your state’s water resource agency 

before implementing a rainwater collection 

system. Check with your local water utility or 

county government to see if there are rebate 

programs available in your area.

WATERSENSE LABELED IRRIGATION 

CONTROLLERS—TAKING THE 

GUESSWORK OUT OF WATERING

WaterSense labels irrigation 

controllers, a type of “smart” irrigation 

control technology that uses local 

weather data to determine whether 

your sprinkler system needs to turn on. 

With proper installation, programming, 

and adjustments, WaterSense 

labeled irrigation controllers can 

help consumers save water, time, and 

money when compared to use of a 

conventional controller.
www.epa.gov/watersense/outdoor 9

Designing a water-smart landscape can help you save money and water 

and doesn’t have to mean piles of rocks and prickly cacti—in fact, it’s just 

the opposite. Today’s yards that incorporate hardy native plants, proper 

soil amendments, mulch, and smart irrigation systems (where needed), 

are beautiful, colorful, creative spaces that can add curb appeal and 

convenience.

Communities and local water utilities around the country support 

demonstration gardens that can provide information and inspiration to 

get you started. County cooperative extension offices, master gardeners, 

and local nurseries can also be great sources of information on native and 

adaptive plants that can thrive in your local climate.

For a climate that gets a moderate amount of rain with a typically 

wet summer and a long winter (e.g., some mid-Atlantic areas, 

such as Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania), this landscape design could be 

appropriate.

• Low water-using turf

• Low water-using shrubs

• Low water-using groundcover

• Low water-using trees

• Mulched beds

• Permeable pavers

• Deck

• Low to medium water-using 

trees

• Low to medium water-using 

groundcover

• Mulched beds

• Medium water-using turf

• Low water-using shrubs 

For a dry climate that gets minimal rain like Austin, Texas, a 

beautiful, water-smart yard includes a low water-using turf only 

where it is functional. A good alternative to turf is one of the 

many drought-tolerant groundcovers, such as Phyla nodiflora.

Water-Smart Landscape Examples

1

1 5

3 7

1

5

4 2

3

2

2 6

4

4

5

1

2

5

3

4

7

6

3
10 www.epa.gov/watersense/outdoor

This landscape design creates the aesthetics of a 

traditional garden with modern, low water-using 

plants, flowers, colors, and textures. In this sunny 

yard, placing the right plant in the right place was 

the key to creating a water-smart landscape. The 

owners installed a number of drought-tolerant plants 

that thrive in direct sunlight. Mulch was used to help 

reduce evaporation, inhibit weed growth, moderate 

soil temperature, and prevent erosion. The landscape 

requires little to no supplemental water, even during 

the peak summer months.

MISSISSAUGA, ONTARIO

BRISTOL, TENNESSEE

OLYMPIA, WASHINGTON

This compact, no-turf landscape features both 

edible and drought-tolerant plants. A unique patio 

of permeable crushed rock and cobalt recycled 

glass aggregate adds eye-catching interest to the 

landscape. The plants are efficiently watered by a drip 

irrigation system, which irrigates slowly to minimize 

evaporation and runoff. The landscape also features 

a rain garden that captures rainwater from roofs, 

driveways, and sidewalks which reduces runoff by 

allowing stormwater to slowly soak into the ground.

This landscape was transformed from turfgrass 

plagued by stormwater runoff problems into a 

water-smart paradise. Nearly 75 percent of the lawn 

was replaced with native wildflowers, trees, shrubs, 

and grasses that are appropriate for local water 

conditions. To help reduce runoff, the property also 

features a 1,400-gallon pond, four rain gardens, a 

vegetated green roof, and a dry stream bed that 

collects and routes stormwater into the rain gardens.

Photo credit: Gino Piscelli

Photo credit: Joy Stewart

Photo credit: Linda Andrews
www.epa.gov/watersense/outdoor 11

The owners of this home wanted to replace their 

turfgrass with a fun, low-maintenance landscape 

cover that was both beautiful and efficient. In 

keeping with the home’s simple, modern features, 

the new landscape consists of low water-using 

shrubs, perennials, and ornamental grasses that 

sweep across the front of the house. The planting 

areas are dressed with aged bark mulch throughout 

to reduce evaporation and minimize erosion. An 

irrigation system utilizing rotary spray heads provides 

water, when needed, to the plantings.

GRANTS PASS, OREGON

DEL MAR, CALIFORNIA

JUNCTION, TEXAS

Junction Middle School’s water-savvy landscape 

features rain gardens and a large palette of native 

perennials. Five rain gardens capture rainwater from 

the school’s roof, reducing stormwater runoff and 

increasing infiltration. Nearly 300 native grasses, 

shrubs, and trees cover the landscape, which needs 

minimal supplemental water. Mulch covers the 

soil around the plants, reducing water loss from 

evaporation. An efficient, drip irrigation system 

irrigates plants only during the driest months. 

Volunteer students and adults donated their time to 

create this conservation landscape, dedicated to the 

memory of Opal B. Roberts, an exceptional teacher.

This drought-tolerant, regionally appropriate 

garden turns heads with its year-round color and 

texture. The owners transformed a high water-using 

landscape into a water-smart oasis by choosing 

drought-tolerant plants that require little water 

beyond normal rainfall. To get the most out of their 

irrigation system, the owners make use of waterefficient technologies such as rotary spray heads and 

a weather-based irrigation controller. When needed, 

the rotary spray heads deliver water in a thick stream, 

ensuring more water reaches plants and less is lost to 

evaporation and wind.

Photo credit: John Galbraith

Photo credit: Chris Roesink 

Photo credit: Scott Richardson; designed by Billy Kniffen
12 www.epa.gov/watersense/outdoor

RESOURCES AND 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The brochure updates a 2002 brochure on 

water-efficient landscaping which included 

technical advice from Alice Darilek, Elizabeth 

Gardner, and David Winger.

The following is a partial list of publications 

on resource-efficient landscaping. For more 

information, particularly on plants suited to 

your locale, consult your local library, county 

extension service, nursery, garden clubs, or 

water utility.

Ball, Ken and American Water Works Association 

(AWWA) Water Conservation Committee. 

Xeriscape Programs for Water Utilities. Denver: 

AWWA, 1990.

Bennett, Jennifer. Dry-Land Gardening: A 

Xeriscaping Guide for Dry-Summer, Cold-Winter 

Climates. Buffalo: Firefly, 1998.

Bennett, Richard E. and Michael S. Hazinski. 

Water-Efficient Landscape Guidelines. Denver: 

AWWA, 1993.

Brenzel, Kathleen N., ed. Western Garden Book, 

2001 Edition. Menlo Park: Sunset Publishing 

Corporation, 2001.

City of Aurora, Colorado, Utilities Department. 

Landscaping for Water Conservation: Xeriscape!

Aurora: Colorado Utilities Department, 1989.

Johnson, Eric and Scott Millard. The Low-Water 

Flower Gardener: 270 Unthirsty Plants for Color, 

Including Perennials, Ground Covers, Grasses & 

Shrubs. Tucson: Ironwood Press, 1993.

Knopf, James M. The Xeriscape Flower Gardener. 

Boulder: Johnson Books, 1991.

Knopf, James M., ed. Waterwise Landscaping with 

Trees, Shrubs, and Vines: A Xeriscape Guide for the 

Rocky Mountain Region, California, and the Desert 

Southwest. Boulder: Chamisa Books, 1999.

Knox, Kim, ed. Landscaping for Water 

Conservation: Xeriscape. Denver: City of Aurora 

and Denver Water, 1989.

Mayer, Peter W. and William B. De Oreo. 

Residential End Uses of Water. Aqua craft, Inc. 

Water Engineering and Management. AWWA, 

1998.

Nellis, David W. Seashore Plants of South Florida 

and the Caribbean: A Guide to Identification 

and Propagation of Xeriscape Plants. Sarasota: 

Pineapple Press, Inc., 1994.

Perry, Bob. Landscape Plants for Western 

Regions: An Illustrated Guide to Plants for 

Water Conservation. Claremont: Land Design 

Publishing, 1992.

Phillips, Judith. Natural by Design: Beauty 

and Balance in Southwest Gardens. Santa Fe: 

Museum of New Mexico Press, 1995.

Phillips, Judith. Plants for Natural Gardens: 

Southwestern Native & Adaptive Trees, Shrubs, 

Wildflowers & Grasses. Santa Fe: Museum of New 

Mexico Press, 1995.

Robinette, Gary O. Water Conservation in 

Landscape Design and Maintenance. New York: 

Nostrand Rein-hold, 1984.

Rumary, Mark. The Dry Garden. New York: 

Sterling Publishing Co., Inc., 1995.

Springer, Lauren. The Undaunted Garden: 

Planting for Weather-Resilient Beauty. Golden: 

Fulcrum Publishing, 1994.

Springer, Lauren. Waterwise Gardening. New 

York: Prentice Hall Gardening, 1994.

Stephens, Tom, Doug Welsh, and Connie Ellefson.

Xeriscape Gardening, Water Conservation for 

the American Landscape. New York: Macmillan 

Publishing, 1992.

Sunset Books, eds. Waterwise Gardening: 

Beautiful Gardens with Less Water. Menlo Park: 

Lane Publishing Company, 1989.

Vickers, Amy. Handbook of Water Use and 

Conservation. Amherst, MA: WaterPlow Press, 

2001.

Weinstein, Gayle. Xeriscape Handbook : A How-To 

Guide to Natural, Resource-Wise Gardening. 

Golden: Fulcrum Publishing, 1998.

Williams, Sara. Creating the Prairie Xeriscape. 

Saskatchewan: University Extension Press, 1997.

Winger, David, ed. Xeriscape Plant Guide: 100 

Water-Wise Plants for Gardens and Landscapes. 

Golden: Fulcrum Publishing, 1998.

Winger, David, ed. Xeriscape Color Guide. 

Golden: Fulcrum Publishing, 1998.

Winger, David, ed. Evidence of Care: The 

Xeriscape Maintenance Journal, 2002, Vol. 1, 

Colorado WaterWise Council, 2001.

Cover photographs from Gino Piscelli, Joy 

Stewart, Linda Andrews, and John Galbraith.

Illustrations by Mindy Mitchell.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

The following list of organizations can provide more information on water-efficient landscaping. This is 

not an exhaustive list; it is intended to help you locate local information sources and possible technical 

assistance.

Your local water management district can often provide information on water conservation, including 

water-efficient landscaping practices. Your state or county extension service is also an excellent source of 

information. Many extension services provide free publications and advice on home landscaping issues, 

including tips on plant selection and soil improvement. Some also offer a soil analysis service for a nominal 

fee. A directory of Cooperative Extension System Offices can be found on the USDA’s website (www.csrees.

usda.gov/Extension).

A directory of Master Gardener programs can be found on the American Horticultural Society’s website, 

(www.ahs.org/master_gardeners).

The WaterSense website (www.epa.gov/watersense) can link you to a number of additional resources, 

including information on how to choose the right plants for your landscape (www.epa.gov/watersense/

outdoor/what_to_plant.html). 

To contact WaterSense by phone, call toll-free (866) WTR-SENS (987-7367).

U. S. Environmental Protection Agency

(4204M)

(866) WTR-SENS (987-7367)

EPA WaterSense Program 

EPA 832-K-12-2002

July 2013