     | When I began designing Kenny Rogers estate near Athens, GA, he sent me to Malibu, CA Beverly Hills, CA and Los Angeles, California to meet with his designers to learn about designing California Style landscapes, lighting, horticultural practices, etc. Two variations of California style landscaping are xeriscaping (see definition below) and Balinese style landscaping which the humid tropical (high water use) version of California style landscaping. <Mass Plantings, cone shaped planter in circle drive garden walls. >Entrance walls, gates, and hardware Xeriscape landscaping, by definition, is landscaping designed specifically for areas that are susceptible to drought, or for properties where water conservation is practiced. Derived from the Greek xeros meaning "dry," the term, xeriscape means literally "dry landscape."
Note that "xeriscape" is pronounced as if it began with the letter, Z. This sometimes leads to the misspelling, "zeroscape." But xeriscape landscaping techniques needn't result in a "big zero" for landscape design aesthetics. In fact, as most people employ the term, xeriscape landscaping needn't be limited to desert plants, such as cacti. Rather, a xeriscape landscaping policy allows you to use the plants you want, but insists on common-sense measures that will help conserve water, such as grouping plants with similar water requirements together.
Nonetheless, a common element in xeriscape landscaping is the reduction of lawn grass areas, since lawn grass is often one of the worst offenders against water conservation. Another widespread tactic in xeriscape landscaping is the deployment of indigenous plants, since they are adapted to the local climate and consequently require less water. Also Known As: xeriscaping Common Misspellings: zeriscape landscaping, zeroscape landscaping, xeroscape landscaping |     |
