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Prairie Zinnia |
Xeriscapetm
Beautiful by Design
Three plans for
Xeriscape on a budget
Many people put off Xeriscaping their yards because they're concerned about the cost. But with a little planning and some patience, you can landscape for surprisingly little money.
To help out, we've come up with three planting plans for Xeriscape on a budget. Each plan features plants that can be found at home improvement stores, started from seed, or easily scrounged.
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Karl Foerster Grass |
Here are some ways to cut costs:
- Buy smaller plants. A plant in a 2" container is much less expensive than the same plant in a 1-gallon container. And within a year or two, you won't be able to tell the difference.
- Check home improvement stores and discount department stores for more common plants. While their selection can't compare to your local garden center, places like Home Depot and K-Mart are now carrying more xeric perennials like sedums, penstemons and ornamental grasses.
- Start plants from seed. A little patience can save a lot of money. You can find seeds at local garden centers and home improvement stores. There are also many on-line seed catalogs; sites include www.westernnativeseed.com and www.plantsofthesouthwest.com.
- Scrounge. Many plants can be easily started from cuttings. Others need to be divided periodically. Ask friends and neighbors if they have any surplus plants they'd like to get rid of, or if you could take a cutting from one of their plants. Chances are they'll be delighted to oblige.
Three Plans for Low-Maintenance Yards
Sunny Bed
Designed by Cris Call
Denver Water
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Note: Large PDF version of the map for printing.
A. Karl Foerster Grass
(Calamagrostis acutiflora 'Karl Foerster') – 6
Should be available at home improvement stores. If not, substitute Little Bluestem
(Schizachyrium scoparium), which can be started from seed.
B. Russian Sage
(Perovskia atriplicifolia) – 1
Easy to find at home improvement stores and discount stores. Can also be started from division or seed.
C. Iris
(Iris x germanica) – 6-8
Anyone with Iris will be glad to give away the extras when they divide in the late summer.
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Iris & Saliva |
D. Lance-leaf Coreopsis
(Coreopsis
lanceolata) – 6
Can be started from seed, and should be available at home improvement stores. If not, you can substitute Moonbeam Coreopsis.
E. Blue Salvia
(Salvia nemorosa) – 6-8
Can be started from seed, and should be available at home improvement stores. Some of the named varieties include 'Blue Queen' and 'May Night'.
F. Autumn Joy Sedum
(Sedum 'Autumn Joy') – 3
Easy to find at home improvement stores and sometimes discount stores.
G. Pineleaf Penstemon
(Penstemon pinifolius) – 6
Should be available at home improvement stores, and can also be started from seed.
H. Snow-in-Summer
(Cerastium tomentosum) – 6
Available almost everywhere. This spreads, so a neighbor would probably love to give you a division.
I. Creeping Phlox
(Phlox subulata) – 6
Available almost everywhere in a rainbow of colors.
J. Native Verbena
(Verbena bipinnatifida) – 4
Frequently available at home improvement stores, and can also be started from seed.
Add random clusters of tulips or daffodils for early spring color.
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Native Verbena |
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Sunny Strip
Designed by David Winger
Denver Water
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A. Basket of Gold
(Aurinia saxatilis) – 2
Available almost everywhere in the spring.
B. Blue Mist Penstemon
(Penstemon virens) – 8
Sometimes available at home improvement stores, can be started from seed.
C. Winecup
(Calirhoe involucrata) – 6
Sometimes available at home improvement stores, can be started from seed.
D. Prairie Zinnia
(Zinnia grandiflora) – 10
Not usually available outside of garden centers, but can be started from seed.
E. 'Pink Chintz' Thyme
(Thymus praecox 'Pink Chintz') – 8
Thyme can be started from cuttings, division or seed, and is sometimes available at home improvement stores. If you can't find 'Pink Chintz', any of the very low-growing thyme varieties will do.
F. Pineleaf Penstemon
(Penstemon pinifolius) – 11
Should be available at home improvement stores, and can also be started from seed.
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Grape Hyacinth |
G. Indian Rice Grass
(Oryzopsis hymenoides) – 4
Can be divided, and can also be started from seed.
H. White Evening Primrose
(Oenothera caespitosa marginata) – 4
This can be started from seed, or you can substitute the more common Mexican
Evening Primrose (pink), which can usually be found at home improvement stores.
Tip: Plant Grape Hyacinth (Muscari armenicacum) between groupings of other plants. These are inexpensive and easy to find almost anywhere.
Note: Large PDF version of the map for printing.
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White Evening Primrose | |
Pineleaf Penstemon |
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Shady Slope
Designed by Larry Horgan
Garden Builders Inc.
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Note: Large PDF version of the map for printing.
A. 'Pink Pewter' Dead Nettle
(Lamium maculatum 'Pink Pewter') – 32
Can frequently be found at home improvement store It can also be started from cuttings or seed. If you can't find 'Pink Pewter, you can substitute 'White Nancy' or 'Beacon Silver'.
B. Creeping Oregon Grape Holly
(Mahonia repens) – 32
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Saskatoon Serviceberry |
C. Saskatoon Serviceberry
(Amelanchier alnifolia) – 1
Might be found at a home improvement store, and can also be started from seed.
D. Hancock Coralberry
(Symphoricarpos x chenaulti 'Hancock') – 3
Might be found at a home improvement store, but you'll probably need to go to a garden center.
E. Effusa Common Juniper
(Juniperus communis 'Effusa') – 3
There are many varieties of low-growing junipers available at home improvement and discount stores. If you can't find 'Effusa', any of the others will do.
F. Carol Mackie Daphne
(Daphne x burkwood 'Carol Mackie') – 2
Might be found at a home improvement store. If not, head for your local arden center; this lovely shrub is worth the trip.
G. Yellow Flowering Currant
(Ribes aureum) – 1
Sometimes appears at home improvement stores, and can also be started from seed.
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Carol Mackie Daphne |
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