Preventing 

Pollution & 

Using Resources 

Wisely

Water

Efficien

Landscaping
ii Water-Efficient Landscaping

United States Environmental Protection A

Office of Water (4204M)

EPA832-F-02-002

September 2002

www.epa.gov/owm/water-efficiency/index.h

Administrator

Christine Todd Whitman

I believe water is the biggest environmen

issue we face in the 21st Century in term

both quality and quantity. In the 30 years 

its passage, the Clean Water Act has

dramatically increased the number of wat

that are once again safe for fishing and

swimming. Despite this great progress in

reducing water pollution, many of the nation’s waters still do not m

water quality goals. I challenge you to join with me to finish the bu

of restoring and protecting our nation’s waters for present and futu

generations.
Contents

What is Water-efficient Landscaping? 1

Why Use Water-efficient Landscaping? 3

How is Water-efficient Landscaping Applied? 4

Water-efficient Landscape Irrigation Methods 6

Examples of Successful Water-efficient Landscaping Projects 10

For More Information 13

Resources 14

Water-Efficient Landscaping 
iv Water-Efficient Landscaping
Water-Efficient Landscaping 

Landscaping?

Water, many agree, is our most precious natural resource; without it,

life ceases. Yet judging by our water

use and consumption practices, many of us in

the United States seem to take it for granted. A

typical household uses approximately 260 gallons of water per day. “Water conscious” individuals often install high-efficiency shower

heads and toilets and wash only full loads of

clothes and dishes to reduce consumption. But

in the summer, the amount of water used outdoors 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, but other outdoor activities, such as washing cars and filling

swimming pools, also contribute. According to

the U.S. Geological Survey, of the 26 billion

gallons of water consumed daily in the United

States1

, approximately 7.8 billion gallons, or 30

percent2

, is devoted to outdoor uses. The

majority of this is used for landscaping. In fact,

it is estimated that the typical suburban lawn

consumes 10,000 gallons of water above and

beyond rainwater each year (Vickers, p 140).

Many mistakenly believe that stunning gardens and beautiful lawns are only possible

through extensive watering, fertilization, and

pesticide application. As this booklet will

demonstrate, eye-catching gardens and landscapes that save water, prevent pollution, and

This booklet describes the benefits of waterefficient landscaping. It includes several examples of successful projects and programs, as well

as contacts, references, and a short bibliography.

For specific information about how to best apply

water-efficient landscaping principles to 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 and suggestions for using water more efficiently in all

aspects of your life, including landscaping.

Xeriscape garden at Denver Water

1 W.B. Solley, R.R. Pierce, and H.A. Perlman. 1998. Estimated Use of Water in the United States in 1995 (USGS Circular 1200).

USGS. Reston, VA. p.27.

2 Amy Vickers. 2001. Handbook of Water Use and Conservation. WaterPlow Press. Amherst, MA. p. 140. 
2 Water-Efficient Landscaping

Many terms and schools of thought have

been used to describe approaches to water-efficient landscaping. Some examples include

“water-wise,” “water-smart,” “low-water,” and

“natural landscaping.” While each of these

terms varies in philosophy and approach, they

are all based on the same principles and are

commonly used interchangeably. One of the

first conceptual approaches developed to

formalize these principles is known as

“Xeriscape3 landscaping.” Xeriscape landscaping

is defined as “quality landscaping that conserves

water and protects the environment.” The word

“Xeriscape” was coined and copyrighted by

• Appropriate plant selection

• Practical turf areas

• Efficient irrigation

• Use of mulches

• Appropriate maintenance

The eight fundamentals of water-wise 

scaping, below, illustrate the similarities in 

underlaying concepts and principles of Xer

landscaping and other water-efficient appr

• Group plants according to their w

needs.

• Use native and low-water-use pla

• Limit turf areas to those needed f

practical uses.

• Use efficient irrigation systems.

• Schedule irrigation wisely.

• Make sure soil is healthy.

• Remember to mulch.

• Provide regular maintenance.

In short, plan and maintain your land

with these principles of water efficiency i

and it will continue to conserve water an

attractive.

Xeriscaped front yard in Colorado Springs

3 Denver Water welcomes the use of the term Xeriscape in books, articles, and speeches promoting water conserving land

EPA is using this term with permission from Denver Water. For permission to use “Xeriscape” in your publications, call D

Water at 303 628-6330.
Water-Efficient Landscaping 

addition, attractive, water-efficient, low-maintenance landscapes can increase home values.

Water-efficient landscaping offers many economic and environmental benefits, including:

• Lower water bills from reduced water use. 

• Conservation of natural resources and

preservation of habitat for plants and

wildlife such as fish 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 trees and plants.

streams.

• Fewer yard trimmings to be managed or

landfilled.

• Reduced landscaping labor and maintenance costs.

• Extended life for water resources infrastructure (e.g., reservoirs, treatment

plants, groundwater aquifers), thus

reduced taxpayer costs.

Meadow Sage (Salvia pratensis) is the

background for New Mexico Evening

Primrose (Oenothera berlandieri 'siskiyou'
4 Water-Efficient Landscaping

gp

be designed to be both

pleasing to the senses

and kind to the environment. One simple

approach to achieving

this is applying and

adopting the basic

principles of waterefficient landscaping

to suit your climatic

region. The seven

principles of Xeriscape

landscaping are used

below to describe

these basic concepts in

greater detail.

Proper

planning and

design

Developing a landscape plan is the first

and most important

step in creating a

water-efficient 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-thought-out landscape plan can

serve as your roadmap in creating beautiful,

improvements

Because soils vary from site to site, test y

soil before beginning your landscape imp

ments. Your county extension service ca

lyze the pH levels; nutrient levels (e.g.,

nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium); and th

sand, silt, clay, and organic matter conte

your soil. It can also suggest ways to imp

your soil’s ability to support plants and r

water (e.g., through aeration or the addi

soil amendments or fertilizers).

Appropriate plant select

Your landscape design should take into ac

your local climate as well as soil condition

Focus on preserving as many existing tree

shrubs as possible because established plan

ally require less water and maintenance. C

plants native to your region. Native plant

established, require very little to no addit

water beyond normal rainfall. Also, becau

they are adapted to local soils and climat

ditions, native plants commonly do not r

the addition of fertilizers and are more res

to pests and disease. 

When selecting plants, avoid those la

“hard to establish,” “susceptible to disease

“needs frequent attention,” as these types 

plants frequently require large amounts of 

plemental water, fertilizers, and pesticides

careful when selecting non-indigenous sp

some of them may become invasive. An i

sive plant might be a water guzzler and w

surely choke out native species. Your state 

county extension service or local nursery 

help you select appropriate plants for you

Dragon’s Blood Sedum

(Sedum spurium) under

Honeylocust Trees (Gleditsia

triaconthos)
Water-Efficient Landscaping 

pp

new growth (generally, spring is the best season,

but check plant tags or consult with your local

nursery for specific species).

Practical 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 aesthetically highlights the house or buildings and where it has

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.

Efficient irrigation

Efficient irrigation is a very important part of

using water efficiently outdoors, and applies in

any landscape—whether Xeriscape or

conventional. For this reason, an entire section

of this booklet addresses efficient irrigation; it

can be found on page 6.

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, 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. Too much mulch can

restrict water flow to plant roots and should be

avoided.

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-efficient yard will require regular pruning, weeding, fertilization, pest control,

and irrigation. As your water-efficient landscape

matures, however, it will require less maintenance and less water. Cutting turf grass only

when it reaches two to three inches promotes

deeper root growth and a more drought-resistant

lawn. As a rule of thumb, mow your turf grass

before it requires more than one 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.

Wine Cup (Callirhoe involucrata) and Sunset Hyssop

(Agastache rupestris) in the Denver Water Xeriscape Garden
6 Water-Efficient Landscaping

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.

This goal is applicable whether you have a

Xeriscape or a conventional landscape.

To promote the strong root growth that supports a plant during drought, water deeply and

only when the plant needs water. For clay soils,

watering less deeply and more often is recommended. Irrigating with consideration to soil

efficient.

Irrigating lawns, gardens, and landsca

can be accomplished either manually or w

automatic irrigation system. Manual wate

with a hand-held hose tends to be the mo

water-efficient method. According to the

AWWA Research Foundation’s outdoor e

study, households that manually water wit

hose typically use 33 percent less water ou

than the average household. The study al

showed that households with in-ground sp

kler systems used 35 percent more water, t

with automatic timers used 47 percent mo

water, and those with drip irrigation syste

used 16 percent more water than househo

without these types of systems. These resu

show that in-ground sprinkler and drip irr

systems must be operated properly to be w

efficient. 

You can use a hand-held hose or a spr

for manual irrigation. To reduce water los

from evaporation and wind, avoid sprinkl

that produce a fine mist or spray high into 

air. Soaker hoses can also be very efficient 

effective when used properly. Use a hand-

soil moisture probe to determine when irr

is needed.

To make automatic irrigation systems 

efficient, install system controllers such as 

sensors that prevent sprinkler systems from 

ing on during and immediately after rainf

soil moisture sensors that activate sprinkle

only when soil moisture levels drop below 

programmed levels. You can also use a we

Purple Fountain Grass (Pennisetum setaceum “Rubrum”) and

Marigolds (Calendula officinalis) in planter bed
Water-Efficient La

4 AWWA Research Foundation. 1999. Residential End Uses of Water. <www.waterwiser.org>

pyg 

as the seasons change. Over-watering is most

common during the fall when summer irrigation

schedules have not been adjusted to the cooler

temperatures.

To further reduce your water consumption,

consider using alternative sources of irrigation

water, such as gray water, reclaimed water, and

collected rainwater. According to the AWWA

Research Foundation, homes with access to

alternative sources of irrigation reduce their

water bills by as much as 25 percent.4 Graywater

is untreated household waste water from bathroom sinks, showers, bathtubs, and clothes

washing machines. Graywater systems pipe this

used water to a storage tank for later outdoor

watering use. State and local graywater laws and

policies vary, so you should investigate what

qualifies as gray water and if any limitations or

restrictions apply. Reclaimed water is waste

water that has been treated to levels suitable for

nonpotable uses. Check with local water officials to determine if it is available in your area.

Collected rainwater is rainwater collected in cisterns, barrels, or storage tanks. Commercial

rooftop collection systems are available, but simply diverting your downspout into a covered

barrel is an easy, low-cost approach. When c

lecting rainwater, cover all collection vessels 

prevent animals and children from entering 

to prevent mosquito breeding. Some states

might have laws which do not allow collecti

of rainwater, so be sure to check with your

state’s water resource agency before impleme

ing a rainwater collection system.

Red Valerian (Centranthus ruber)
Large lawn:

requires supplemental watering

Non-native plants:

do not include drought-tolerant species.

House

8 Water-Efficient Landscaping

Small deck

Concrete walkway
Water-Efficient Landscaping 

Mulched

walkway Larger deck

Small lawn Shade

tree

Vegetable garden:

uses drip irrigation

Compost bin

Shade arbor

House

Ground

cover
10 Water-Efficient Landscaping

and create environmentally conscious landscapes.

The following examples illustrate how water-efficient landscapes can be used in various situations.

Homeowner–public/private

partnership

• The South Florida Water Management District, the Florida Nurserymen and Growers

Association, the Florida Irrigation Society, and

local businesses worked together to produce a

television video called “Plant It Smart with

Xeriscape.” The video shows how a typical

Florida residential yard can be retrofitted with

Xeriscape landscaping to save energy, time,

water and relies on yard trimmings for m

and compost.

• The Southwest Florida Water Managem

District (SWFWMD), the City of St. Pe

burg, and Pinellas County, Florida, prod

video called “Xeriscape It!” It shows a la

scape being installed using the seven Xe

principles. The SWFWMD also funded 

Xeriscape demonstration sites and main

Xeriscape demonstration garden at its

Brooksville, Florida, headquarters. The 

features a variety of native and non-nat

plants and is available for public viewin

along with a landscape plant identificat

guide.

• Residents of Glendale, Arizona, can rec

$100 cash rebate for installing or conve

more than half of their landscapable ar

non-grass vegetation. The Glendale Wa

Conservation Office conducts an inspe

of the converted lawn to ensure compli

with rebate requirements and then issu

rebate check to the homeowner. The p

of the Landscape Rebate Program is to 

nently reduce the amount of water used 

irrigate grass throughout Glendale. 

State government

• Although perceived as a water-rich stat

Florida became the first to enact a state

Xeriscape law. Florida’s legislature recog

that its growing population and vulnera

environment necessitated legal safeguar

its water resources. The Xeriscape law r

Florida’s Departments of Management S

Oriental Poppies (Paparer orientale)
Water-Efficient Landscaping 

pjppy gg 

after January 1994. Additional legislation,

enacted in 1995, requires the Department of

Transportation to use Xeriscape practices in

the construction and maintenance of roadside

parks. All municipalities may consider enacting ordinances requiring Xeriscape to conserve water.

City government

In Las Vegas, Nevada, homeowners can receive

up to $1,000 for converting their lawn to

Xeriscape, while commercial landowners can

receive up to a $50,000 credit on their water

bill. The city and several other surrounding

communities hope these eye-catching figures

will help Las Vegas meet its goal of saving 25

percent of the water it would otherwise have

used by the year 2010; to date, it has saved 17

percent. Local officials plan to reach the target

with the assistance of incentive programs

encouraging Xeriscape, a city ordinance limiting

turf to no more than 50 percent of new landscapes, grassroots information programs, and a

landscape awards program specifically for

Xeriscaped properties. Preliminary results of a

five-year study show that residents who converted a portion of their lawns to Xeriscape reduced

total water consumption by an average of 33

percent. The xeric vegetation required less than

a quarter of the water typically used and onethird the maintenance (both in labor and

expenditures) compared to traditional turf.

Developers

Howard Hughes Properties (HHP), a developer

and manager of more than 25,000 acres of residential, commercial, and office development

property, has enthusiastically used drought tolerant landscaping on all of its properties since

1990. Most of the company’s properties are

located in Las Vegas, one of the country’s fastest

growing metropolitan areas. To conserve

resources, the city and county have implemented regulations requiring developers to employ

certain Xeriscape principles in new projects.

Specifically, a limited percentage of grass can be

used on projects, and it must be kept away from

streets. As the area’s first large-scale developer

to recognize the need and value in incorporating

drought tolerant landscaping in parks,

streetscapes, and open spaces, HHP uses native

and desert-adaptive plants that survive and

thrive in the Las Vegas climate with minimal to

moderate amounts of water.

Yellow Ice Plant (Delosperma nubigenum) close-up
12 Water-Efficient Landscaping

maintenance program also includes pest management, the use of mulching mowers, and the use

of rock mulch top dressing on all non-turf planting areas. These measures combine to ensure a

beautiful, healthy, and responsible landscape.

Public/private partnerships

Even the most water-conscious homeowners in

Southern California are over-watering by 50 to

70 gallons per day. The

excess water washes away

fertilizers and pesticides,

which pollute natural

waterways. The quantity

of water wasted (and the

dollars that pay for it) are

even more substantial for

large-scale commercial

properties and developments.

An innovative partnership in Orange County

links landscape water

management, green mate

actual water use through a system of 12,00

cated water meters installed by participatin

landscape managers.

Participants, including landscapers, pr

managers, and homeowner associations, c

compare the actual cost of water used on t

property with the calculated budget. Thos

ing within budget are awarded certificatio

proven marketing tool. This new voluntar

gram is implemented by the Municipal W

District with input from the California La

scape Contractors’ Association, the Orang

County Integrated Management Departm

the Metropolitan Water District of Southe

California, and local nurseries and has the 

port of 32 retailing water suppliers. The pr

is already credited with increasing the use 

arid-climate shrubs and landscaping to acc

modate drip irrigation, and has resulted in 

savings to water customers.

Miscanthus sinensis

(Miscanthus grass, also called

Maiden grass) variety with

leaves turning yellow for fall.
Water-Efficient Landscaping 

American Water Works Association (AWWA)

6666 West Quincy Avenue

Denver, CO 80235

Telephone: 303 794-7711 

and

1401 New York Avenue, NW, Suite 640

Washington, DC 20005 

Telephone: 202 628-8303 

Web: <www.awwa.org>

Arizona Municipal Water Users Association

(AMWUA)

Web: <www.amwua.org/program-xeriscape.htm>

BASIN

City of Boulder Environmental Affairs

P.O. Box 791

Boulder, CO 80306

Phone: 303 441-1964

E-mail: basin@bcn.boulder.co. us

Web: <bcn.boulder.co.us/basin/local/seven.html>

Denver Water

1600 West 12th Avenue

Denver, CO 80204

Phone: 303 628-6000

Fax: 303 628-6199

TDDY: 303 534-4116

Office of Water Conservation hotline: 

303 628-6343

E-mail: jane.earle@denverwater.org

Web: <www.water.denver.co.gov/

conservation/conservframe.html>

New Mexico Water Conservation Program/Water

Conservation Clearinghouse

P. O. Box 25102

Santa Fe, NM 87504 

Phone: 800 WATER-NM

E-mail: waternm@ose.state.nm.us

Fax: 505 827-3813 

Web: <www.ose.state.nm.us/water-info/

conservation/index.html>

Project WET - Water Education for Teachers

201 Culbertson Hall 

Montana State University 

Bozeman, MT 59717 

Phone: 406 994-5392 

Web: <www.montana.edu/wwwwet>

Rocky Mountain Institute

1739 Snowmass Creek Road

Snowmass, CO 81654-9199

Phone: 970 927-3851

Web: <www.rmi.org>

your state’s Web site. URLs for state Web sites typically follow this format: <www.state.(two letter

state abbreviation).us>.

State/County Extension Services

Your state or county extension service is also an excellent source of information. Many extension services provide fre

lications and advice on home landscaping issues including tips on plant selection and soil improvement. Some also o

soil analysis service for a nominal fee. Your county extension service can be found in the Blue Pages section of your 

phone book under the county government section or through your county’s Web site if it has one. The U.S. Departm

of Agriculture’s Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service (www.reeusda.gov/statepartners/usa.h

provides an online directory of land-grant universities which can help you locate your state extension service. Gover

Guide (www.governmentguide.com) is yet another online resource that might prove helpful in locating state or loca

agencies.

Organizations

The following is a partial list of organizations located across the United States that provide helpful information on water

cient landscaping.

liwanensis) in 

and tulips in f
The following is a partial list of publications

on resource efficient landscaping. For even

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

Water Conservation Committee. Xeriscape Programs for Water Utilities. Denver: American Water

Works Association, 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. WaterEfficient Landscape Guidelines. Denver: American

Water Works Association, 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 Flo

Gardener: 270 Unthirsty Plants for Color, Includin

Perennials, Ground Covers, Grasses & Shrubs. Tu

son: Ironwood Press, 1993.

Knopf, James M. The Xeriscape Flower Gardener. Bou

der: Johnson Books, 1991.

Knopf, James M., ed. Waterwise Landscaping with Tre

Shrubs, and Vines: A Xeriscape Guide for the Rock

Mountain Region, California, and the Desert South

west. Boulder: Chamisa Books, 1999.

Knox, Kim, ed. Landscaping for Water Conservation:

Xeriscape. Denver: City of Aurora and Denver

Water, 1989.

Nellis, David W. Seashore Plants of South Florida and 

Caribbean: A Guide to Identification and Propagat

of Xeriscape Plants. Sarasota: Pineapple Press, In

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 Balan

in Southwest Gardens. Santa Fe: Museum of New

Mexico Press, 1995.

14 Water-Efficient Landscaping

Sustainable Sources Green Building Program: Sustainable Building Source Book

E-mail: info@greenbuilder.com

Web: <www.greenbuilder.com/sourcebook/

xeriscape.html>

Water Conservation Garden – San Diego County

12122 Cuyamaca College Drive West 

El Cajon, CA 92019 

Phone: 619 660-0614

Fax: 619 660-1687

74

E-mail: bewiser@waterwiser.org 

Web: <www.waterwiser.org>

Xeriscape Colorado!, Inc.

P.O. Box 40202 

Denver, CO 80204-0202 

Web: <www.xeriscape.org>

Resources
Water-Efficient Landscaping 

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.

Winger, David, ed. Xeriscape Plant Guide: 100 Water-W

Plants for Gardens and Landscapes. Golden: Fulcrum

Publishing, 1998.

Winger, David, ed. Xeriscape Color Guide. Golden: Ful

crum Publishing, 1998.

Winger, David, ed. Evidence of Care: The Xeriscape Ma

tenance Journal, 2002, Vol. 1, Colorado WaterWis

Council, 2001.

Acknowledgments

Technical advice provided by Alice Darilek, Elizabeth Gardener, and David Winger.

Cover photograph from Tom Brahl Photography. 

Interior photographs have been provided courtesy of Denver Water and David Winger. 

Illustrations by Linda Cook.

For copies of this publication contact:

EPA Water Resources Center (RC-4100)

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Ariel Rios Building, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW.

Washington, DC 20460

For more information regarding water efficiency, please contact:

Water Efficiency Program (4204M)

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Ariel Rios Building, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW.

Washington, DC 20460

<www.epa.gov/OWM/water-efficiency/index.htm>
1EPA

United States Environmental Protection Agency (4204M)Washington, DC 20460Official BusinessPenalty for Private Use $300