Xeriscaping: Low-Maintenance Landscaping with Plants Native to Boise, ID

It’s a well-known fact that Boise--the City of Trees--is a desert; we claim a small piece of  the Great Basin Desert, the only “cold” desert in the United States. If you’ve lived here in the Treasure Valley for very long, you are well aware of our frequent droughts, how frequently we discuss the water levels in our reservoirs, and noticed the low-water plants local to our area, including sage brush, bitterbrush, and arrowleaf balsamroot (those yellow, sunflower-like wildflowers you see during springtime hikes in the foothills). Yet, in Boise proper and into our suburbs, there is a stark contrast to the wild flora: green lawns all summer long are the norm, and few plants frequently used in landscaping are indigenous to Idaho. Today on Bella Vista Landscaping's blog, we'll be discussing a style of landscaping that’s rapidly gaining popularity addresses this difference: xeriscaping. 

What is xeriscaping? 

Xeriscaping is landscaping focused on low maintenance and low water usage. Xeriscaping--sometimes spelled “zeriscaping”--has been in wide usage in “hot” desert regions like Arizona and New Mexico for decades. This makes sense; these states often experience less than 10 inches of rainfall. Here in Boise, we often see 10-13 inches; it only makes sense that many homeowners are turning to more water-efficient landscaping options. The advantages of choosing to xeriscape are: 

• Water conservation. Choosing landscaping that allows you to maintain a beautiful property without irrigation and sprinklers makes a huge difference in water conservation, which is both earth-friendly and saves on your water bill. 

• Attracts wildlife. In addition to preserving water, a precious resource, utilizing native plants and materials means native animals, insects, and pollinators are at home. Especially as Boise and her suburbs continue to expand, creating an environment that allows native flora and fauna to coexist with our neighborhoods is conscientious and kind. 

• Low maintenance. We all lead busy lives; mowing lawns, pulling weeds, pruning bushes--all of these tasks can be avoided with a little bit of extra forethought. By choosing to install native plants, most of the vegetation in your yard will thrive with very little attention. No patches of dead grass to worry over, although you may need to prune on occasion! 

• Long term plant survival. Native plants are perfectly adapted to survive in our climate; especially here in Boise where we experience extremes in both heat and cold, hearty plants that have evolved for these exact conditions are more likely to survive. 

Many xeriscaped yards use native materials such as stones and rocks from the surrounding desert to create an aesthetic and natural landscape dotted with native plants. Some popular plants native to the treasure value include: 

• Purple sage: a perennial shrub that’s heat-resistnat, drought-tolerant, and low-maintenance; requires good drainage and plenty of sunlight. Deep blue flowers can be expected in late spring. 

• Red yucca: despite the name, this is not actually a yucca, although the leaves resemble yucca plants! Also a perennial, red yucca flower stalks can grow up to five feet in height and produce adorable red flowers. 

• Rocky Mountain maple: produces yellow-green flowers in the spring; each tree produces either male or female flowers. Rocky Mountain maples are dainty in appearance but can grow up to 25 feet tall!

• Penstemon: also called beardstongue, these sweet perennials produce a wide range of flowers and come in a variety of heights. They are especially great for attracting birds and thrive with a lot of sunlight. 

• Blue flax: these iconic blue flowers don’t bloom for long, but are a local favorite. They are deer tolerant, and their scientific name is Linum lewisii--named after the explorer Meriwether Lewis, who discovered this charming plant. 

• Green-headed coneflower: a sunflower-like perennial, the green-headed coneflower blooms for months over the summer and into autumn. This plant isn’t picky about the hours of sunlight it needs to grow, and attracts native bees for a lively garden. 

Whether you choose to xeriscape your yard or prefer a more traditional approach, Bella Vista Landscaping is excited to serve you! We are passionate about learning about each client’s unique vision for their yard, and our landscape design services are available to help ensure that we can make your vision come to life. We serve Boise, Meridian, Eagle, Middleton, Kuna, Caldwell, Star, ID, and all surrounding areas. Give us a call at (208) 995-3532 or fill out our online contact form today for more information or to schedule a consultation!