If you live in the Southwest, it can be hard to find landscaping ideas that work with the dry desert climate. Irrigating your yard year-round can be expensive and sometimes even wasteful, so it’s important to be strategic about the type of backyard you’re looking for.
With a little forward thinking, you can have the desert backyard of your dreams on any budget. Here are 4 desert gardens to inspire your next landscaping project.
Creative Cacti
When in Rome, do as the Romans do. There might not be many cacti in Rome, but there are plenty in the desert! Cacti are plants that naturally thrive in a desert environment, so they’re easy and low-maintenance options to include in your backyard.
There are so many different types of cacti that you can combine to achieve the look you’re going for. This Arizona garden creates an almost jungle-like atmosphere through the inclusion of different cacti, some tall and some small. Plan out how you want your backyard to look, then invest in some cacti to get you there.
Dry Riverbeds
We all know that babbling brooks are not the best idea for a desert backyard, as a creek would dry right up in the hotter months. But what about a riverbed that’s already dry? Using river rocks, you can create the appearance of a dry riverbed running through your backyard.
The best part about this trend is that you can really go wild with the shape of your river. Make it wide or narrow, line it with plants or leave it more minimalist. The choice is yours, but the finished look is always a win.
Floral Fun
If you live in the Southwest, you know there’s more to desert living than just sand and succulents. Plenty of flowers thrive in the arid conditions at all times of the year, meaning you can have the colorful garden of your dreams even in the desert.
An explosion of color can really pop against a desert backdrop, as you can see in the garden linked above. You don’t need a lot of flowers to make a statement, either: A single properly-placed bush can make all the difference in the world.
Adventures in Xeriscaping
Xeriscaping is the perfect landscaping style for dry desert environments. If you don’t want to mess around with grass or other plants that require irrigation, xeriscaping allows you to create bold, intricate designs using pebbles.
The best part about xeriscaping is that you don’t have to worry about keeping your yard looking alive! A few key plants here and there can bring some greenery to the table while saving on water with the rest of your garden.
Whether you like a lot of color or prefer a simpler style, the desert offers a multitude of landscaping options to help you find your ideal look. With a little planning and some hard work, you can soon have the kind of desert backyard that dreams are made of.
