Landscapes

Examples of local water-thrifty landscaping, illustrating a variety of styles, all providing more beauty with less water

Before and After

Here are before-and-after shots showing the establishment of a beautiful low-water landscape after the owners let the old lawn die over a summer with no water then scraped off the top inch of dead sod. Notice the integration of patches of drought-tolerant blue gramma (front) and buffalo (rear) grass into the design.

Desert Theme

This local landscape is inspired by the beauty of the desert. It features a number of Southwest native plants that do well in our colder northern climate. Elegant and architectural, this landscape allows viewers to appreciate the individual form of each plant. Although irrigated by drip, this landscape uses very little water.

Lush Groundcover
This yard is an example of a very lush, yet low-water use landscape. The groundcover under the aspens is kinnick-kinnick, a native plant that grows at higher elevations in Idaho and does well under part shade in the valley. Aspen can be a relatively low-water plant once established, but is often difficult to get going and maintain at our lower elevation in Boise.

Cottage Garden
Here’s another lush, well-established water-thrifty landscape in Boise’s North End. Note how this gardener has totally transformed the parking strip, often the locus of an unsightly struggling lawn or just bare rocks and dirt.

No-water landscape

This landscape is an example of “extreme gardening”. The gardener plants perennials only in the late fall and lets them develop their root systems over winter. No supplemental irrigation is provided the following year. Those plants that survive get to stay, and as this photograph illustrates, they create a beautiful display in early summer.

Summer Color
This colorful corner illustrates how a drought-tolerant landscape can be bright and eye-catching even in the heat of summer. Choosing plants wisely can guarantee an unending display of form and color year-round.

Thyme Lawn
Finally, here is a lovely example of low-growing water-thrifty thyme replacing a water-guzzling lawn.