Xeriscape Resources#
Before You Dig!#
Any time earth is moved or removed using equipment, tools or explosives, the Utility Notification Center of Colorado must be notified. Please dial 811 so that underground utilities can be located.
Looking for information on how to add nature into your space?
Water-Wise Professionals
These landscape and irrigation contractors know their stuff and are ready to help you achieve a water-wise landscape.
Edging, Boulders and Hardscape
Irrigation
Sprinkler-to-drip renovation instructions
Example shopping list for drip retrofit
Irrigation Layout and Coverage (3:47)
Installing a Drip Line on a Hose Spigot (0:38)
Switching a Turf Sprinkler Zone to Drip Irrigation
CSU Extension – Drip Irrigation for Home Gardens
Rainbird Irrigation Design Guides
Free Rainbird Irrigation Design Service
Spray to Drip Presentation Slides
Rotate to Rotary Nozzles Webinar (Presentation Slides)
Conserving Water in the Garden with Rain Barrels Webinar (Presentation Slides)
En español >> Conservación de agua en el jardín con barriles de lluvia
Native Plants
Low-Water Native Plants for Colorado Gardens: Front Range & Foothills
Fort Collins Native Plants list
Plant Selection and Grouping (Part 2) (9:52)
Tips for Establishing Native Seed
Check if a Plant is Native to Colorado
Benefits of Planting Natives at Home
How to Collect and Grow Native Seeds by Wildlands Restoration Volunteers
A Short List of Front Range Native Wildflowers and Grasses
Landscape Design
CSU Extension - Principles of (Water Wise) Landscape Design
Water Wise Landscape Design: Steps
Designs with Water In Mind Brochure
Low-Water Native Plants for Colorado Gardens: Front Range & Foothills
CSU Extension - Landscape Design for Energy Conservation
Watershed Approach to Landscaping (rain garden design)
Front Range Recommended Tree List
Handbook for The Watershed Approach to Landscaping
Parkway Guidelines
Trees
Selecting Trees for Fort Collins
Large Maturing Trees for Ash Replacement
Master Gardeners offer free tree related on-site calls. Visit CSU Master Gardener or contact at larimermg@gmail.com; 970-498-6000.
Books
Cutting Edge Gardening for the Intermountain West, Marcia Tatrow, 2007.
Durable Plants for the Garden: A Plant Select Guide, Plant Select®, 2009.
Passionate Gardening: Good Advice for Challenging Climates, Lauren Springer & Rob Proctor, 2000.
The Undaunted Garden: Planting for Weather Resilient Beauty, Lauren Springer, 2010.
Waterwise Landscaping with Trees, Shrubs & Vines, Jim Knopf, 1994.
Xeriscape Handbook, Gayle Weinstein, 1999.
Xeriscape Plant Guide, Denver Water, 1996.
Did You Know?
Planting shade trees to block unwanted summer sun is a good, long-term approach if you plan to be in your home for many years.
A new washing machine can save you money. It can also save your clothes. Click here for the whole story.
Using low water-using plants that provide seasonal colors and textures for year-round beauty can help save on irrigation costs.