Early explorers once described Colorado as the high desert because of the dry air and low amounts of precipitation. Today, most people would probably say that this is an oblique over-generalization of the climate and topography. People move to the doorstep of the Rocky Mountains from all over the world to experience the immense landscapes and diverse plant and animal communities. And because the appeal is so great, it becomes easy to overlook the fact that much of Colorado is considered the high desert.
Because water is a limiting factor in Colorado, the native plants and animals have had to evolve in order to survive on very little precipitation. Luckily, the landscape design industry has also adapted to the low water climate of the Front Range and offers various alternatives that can be even more aesthetically pleasing than the traditional lawn.
“I don’t ever want people to think that by conserving water on their landscapes that they are only limited to a few Yuccas and rock beds,” explains Amy Bales the owner of Bales Custom Gardening Services in Denver. Bales recognizes the negative connotations that may arise when people begin discussing landscaping alternatives such as Xeriscape or the use of grey water.
Bales Custom Gardening Services provided the photos in this feature. The Denver project won an Award of Excellence from the Associated Landscape Contractors of Colorado.
Landscapers and government agencies share a common goal of educating the public about Xeriscape and water-conscious gardening. Some municipalities try by appealing to pocketbooks and billfolds. Some homeowners who install timers and water regulators in their irrigation systems can receive rebates. The city of Denver has a list of appliances that are eligible for the rebates at www.denverwater.org.
“The Colorado State Extension service is also a great resource for information on choosing the right plants for our climate and ways to minimize water use,” says Bales. To further her own education, Bales took advantage of the Colorado State University master gardener program to hone her skills in landscape planning and native plant knowledge.
Rather than planting exotic plants that require additional resources to cultivate, the Colorado State Extension office teaches that natives — plants that are fully adapted to the arid climate — can be used to fit into almost any design niche. Buffalo grass is a native sod that, because of its natural resistance to drought conditions and visual appeal, has begun to replace traditional types of yard sod such as Kentucky Bluegrass. Buffalo grass is also a popular choice because it does not require mowing. If a groomed look is desired, Buffalo grass can be mowed, but it won’t have to be done often.
“When designing a standard landscape, I try to use ten percent grass to keep the yard from looking sparse,” says Bale. Then the other 90 percent is plant beds, shrubs, perennial flowering plants, wood chips, rock mulch or other materials.”
Bales prefers to plant as many perennials as possible. She suggests that all perennials, ornamental grasses and trees be planted in the spring by mid-April. Annual plants should be put in the ground around Mother’s Day.
Colorado plays host to such a wide array of native flora that knowledge and experience with these plants is paramount for building a colorful, fulfilling, and conscientious outdoor living space. Depending on the scope of the project, a landscape designer might need to be consulted. When working with professional agencies it’s important to take enough time to create a list of goals and special considerations.
“One question I always ask a client is what colors do they not want to see in their yards,” says Bales. “Sometimes without thinking people will say they like all colors, and maybe forget that they hate yellow until a yellow flower begins to bloom in one of their flower beds.”
During her years in landscape design, Bales has worked with many clients, and every one had a different vision. She has witnessed the paradigm shift toward responsible water values. Bales said the industry will continue to move in that direction. Sure, environmentalists are a big part of the reason for the shift, but Bales knows that there is more to it.
“People move to Colorado because they enjoy the beauty of the outdoors here,” says Bales. “So why not have the same outdoor qualities that attracted them here in the first place in their own backyard?”
Casey Cisneros is a Lyons-based freelance writer.
