Southern California's continued drought has prompted water restrictions and a focus on landscaping that requires little or no water, an increasingly popular concept in green homes nationwide that is known as xeriscaping.

California homeowners are ripping out brown grass and turning instead to synthetic turf, low-water native plants such as rosemary, lilac and yuccas and no-water alternatives such as gravel and cactus, according to a recent story in USA TODAY.

Such landscaping, which can be as beautiful as it is practical, is catching on nationwide as a cornerstone of green home building, aimed at conserving both energy and water. In the eco-friendly home that my husband and I are building in Falls Church, Va., we plan no grass at all. We've sold our lawn mower!

There are many resources available to guide people toward low-water landscaping, including this brochure from the Environmental Protection Agency that you can download.

In 1981, the Denver Water Department coined and copyrighted the term "xeriscaping," defined as "quality landscaping that conserves water and protects the environment." It combines the Greek word "xeros" or "dry" with landscaping.

Colorado Waterwise, a non-profit group, provides an online guide to the seven principles of xeriscaping:

--Plan carefully. Create a plan that includes the footprint of the house, driveway, patios, walkways and all trees, shrubs and garden beds. Also include directions (which way is north) and the location of spigots, downspouts and external electrical outlets.



--Create practical turf areas. Think about where it makes sense to have grass, rather than putting turf everywhere.



--Select and group plants appropriately. There is a misconception among some people that the only plants allowed in a xeriscape are cactus and other desert perennials. There are a large number of plants that do well in our semiarid climate with little or no supplemental irrigation. The trick to waterwise gardening is to put the right plants in the right place.

--Improve the soil. The better the soil, the more successful a xeriscape will be.



--Mulch. It minimizes evaporation, cools plant root zones, reduces weed growth and helps control erosion. Mulch also adds a finished look to the garden.

--Efficient irrigation. The best time to water is during the morning or evening hours. Keep water close to the ground. Avoid the oscillating type of sprinkler that sends water high into the air. Design your sprinkler system or plan your hose placement so a given zone waters plants with similar watering requirements at the same time.

--Maintain the landscape. No garden is completely maintenance-free. Like more traditional landscape, xeriscapes require regular maintenance to look their best. This includes pruning shrubs and trees, deadheading perennials, aerating, mowing and fertilizing lawns and controlling pests.

Readers: What experience, if any, have you had with xeriscaping? Any pictures you'd like to share?

