Xeriscaping & Water-Wise Landscape Installation
Water use isn’t just a trend in Utah. It’s a reality we live with every year. Outdoor watering makes up a huge portion of municipal water use in our state, and most of that goes toward turf that struggles in our dry summers . Many homeowners contact us because they’re tired of high water bills, constant sprinkler repairs, or grass that never looks great in July.
Xeriscaping is not “rock and no plants.” When designed correctly, it’s a structured, attractive, drought-tolerant landscape that reduces water use while improving curb appeal.
We design and install custom xeriscapes throughout Salt Lake City, West Valley City, and surrounding Salt Lake County communities.
What Is Xeriscaping?
Xeriscaping, sometimes called water-wise or desert landscaping, is a landscape approach built around:
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- Drought-tolerant and climate-appropriate plants
- Reduced or eliminated turf
- Efficient drip irrigation
- Proper soil preparation and grading
- Mulch and surface materials that support plant health
In Utah’s semi-arid climate, this isn’t optional design theory. It’s practical landscape planning.
Xeriscapes We've Installed
Plant Selection for Utah’s Growing Zone
We are in USDA Zone 5, with hot, dry summers and cold winters. Plant choice matters.
We use Utah Water-Wise recommended plants including:
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- Russian Sage
- Penstemon varieties (Firecracker, Pineleaf, Utah Penstemon)
- Blue Grama and Little Bluestem ornamental grasses
- Yarrow and Blanket Flower
- Lavender and Catmint
- Sulfur Buckwheat
- Utah-adapted shrubs like Sumac and Mountain Mahogany
We focus on layered planting design so the landscape matures with 70–75% coverage instead of looking sparse and rocky .
Water-Wise Irrigation Design
Proper irrigation is critical to the life and health of your landscape. Designing your landscape around minimal water usage takes knowledge and experience.
Overhead spray in xeriscapes wastes water through evaporation and overspray. We install:
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- Subsurface drip systems
- Inline emitters
- Pressure-regulated zones
- Separate hydrozones for trees and shrubs
- Efficient controllers
Once established, drought-tolerant plants require far less water, typically deep and infrequent irrigation .
Hardscape Integration: Patios, Walkways & Structure
Xeriscaping works best when it’s part of a complete design.
Many of our projects include:
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- Concrete patios
- Paver patios
- Decorative walkways
- Retaining walls
- Boulder accents
- Seating areas
We design xeriscapes to frame usable outdoor living space, not just replace grass. If you’re planning a new patio, your xeriscape layout should support it, not compete with it.
Why Salt Lake City Homeowners Choose Xeriscaping
In our experience, clients usually come to us for one of these reasons:
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- Water bills are too high
- Turf struggles every summer
- They want lower maintenance
- They’re remodeling their front yard
- They’re building a new home
- They want a modern, structured desert look
When done correctly, a xeriscape:
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- Reduces long-term water use
- Lowers maintenance time
- Simplifies irrigation
- Handles Utah heat better
- Increases curb appeal
- Supports pollinators
For homeowners in Salt Lake City that are looking to reduce water bills, reduce maintenance, and increase curb appeal, xeriscaping is an excellent and affordable landscaping choice.