NaturalLandscaping

BackgroundInformationNatural landscaping involves both site design and plant selection.

Native plants are adapted to local climate, soil and environmental conditions. Properly placed, they require very little maintenance and water – and that means better water quality because there is less runoff, and less need for pesticides and fertilizers.

Non-native Xeriscape plants also require less water and chemical support and may be good landscape choices as long as they are not on the state’s noxious weeds list.

CommunityStrategies• As a key part of site planning, preserve and

enhance existing natural areas such as prairies, wetlands and floodplains.

• Encourage the use of native species and/or Xeri-scaping in your community’s landscape design criteria.

• Contact the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension at (775) 784-4848 for information about training programs for home landscape professionals concerning best management practices for land-scape design and maintenance.

AtaGlance• Low maintenance plants that

require little water result in better water quality because there is less runoff, and less need for pesticides and fertil-izers.

• Native plants, which are adapted to local climate, soil and environmental conditions, are often used in natural landscaping design.

• Non-native Xeriscape plants may also be good choices as long as they are not on the state’s noxious weeds list.

The photos of both these gardens illustrate that xeriscape does not have to be “zero-scape!”

SomeExamples• Washoe County Development Code (section 110.412.25) encourages

preserving existing vegetation and ecological communities where appropriate and feasible.

• The Truckee Meadows Water Authority has developed a landscaping guide: Landscaping in the Truckee Meadows. It lists trees, shrubs, and groundcovers that are drought tolerant and grow well in our area. The original booklet is out of print, but at interactive website exists at www.tmh20.com.

ForMoreInformationCity of Aurora Landscape Requirements Manual <www.auroragov.org/documents/CTY_PL_LandscapeManual.pdf>

City of Broomfield 1995 Master Plan <www.ci.broomfield.co.us/planning/masterplan/99MP1_97.html>

Colorado State University Gardening On Line Fact Sheets <www.ext.colostate.edu/PUBS/GARDEN/pubgard.html>

EPA – A Sourcebook on Natural Landscaping for Public Officials <www.epa.gov/glnpo/greenacres/toolkit/chap1.html#WHAT%20IS>

Landscaping in the Truckee Meadows <www.tmh2o.com>

Truckee Meadows Water Authority Interactive Landscape Guide<www.tmh2o.com/landscape_guide/interactive/frontpage.php>

University of Nevada Cooperative Extension Ask a Master Gardener<www.unce.unr.edu/mastergardener/mastergardener.html>

Water Efficient Landscape Design Model Ordinance <www.dola.state.co.us/smartgrowth/documents/Water%20Efficient%20Landscaping%20 Design.pdf>

Water-Efficient Landscaping: Preventing Pollution and Using Resources Wisely <www.epa.gov/OW-OWM.html/water-efficiency/final_final.pdf>

WaterWise Landscaping Best Practices Manual: A Companion to the Landscape Design Ordinance <www.dola.state.co.us/smartgrowth/documents/WaterWise%20Landscaping%20Best%20Practices%20Manual.PDF>

NaturalLandscaping

Adapted with permission from the Water Protection Toolkit for Local Officials, AWARE Colorado.

Protecting water qualitythrough community planning

Both of these accent

plants do well in Nevada’s

climate, making them

excellent candidates for

xeriscape gardens.