Living in the dry Southwest doesn’t necessarily mean forgoing a beautiful landscape. You can incorporate a variety of hardscape elements to minimize your property’s water usage. Adding rocks, gravel, and other materials to the design plans will add color and texture to the front yard without the need for water-hungry plants or trees.

How to Create a Drought-Tolerant Landscape

1. Rock Gardens

Create one or multiple rock gardens featuring landscape rocks of various sizes. Play with height by interspersing boulders or other sizable stones with pea gravel.

Add organic elements, such as drought-tolerant cacti, succulents, and blooms. Desert marigold and lavender are two popular options that provide touches of color. If your property slopes at all, these grass-less gardens can prevent erosion and manage drainage.

2. Gravel Paths

Use gravel instead of stone or concrete pavers to help contain the water your terrain receives. Gravel holds the vital liquid and allows it to hydrate the ground over time. You can create pathways from the sidewalk and around the sides of the house.

Landscape gravel also adds to the natural look of the property and provides many opportunities to get creative. You can incorporate a secluded meditation space in the backyard or create a gravel patio for entertainment purposes.

3. Sand

Sand is a versatile material that most people associate with the beach, but you can incorporate it into your design plans. Use it to surround specific areas to act as a boundary and create a gradual shift from one section to the next. For example, using sand between the rock garden and pathway will open up the area and provide a seamless transition.

You could also use the material to create a play area for the kids. Build a wooden square to create a sandbox or cover a large area and set up a volleyball net for family games. 

Purchase landscape rock, pea gravel, and sand from Rim Country’s Rock N Yard to complete your drought-tolerant property. Based in Bullhead City, AZ, the company has served Mohave County and the surrounding areas since 1991, offering a comprehensive range of landscaping services. Call the family-owned company at (928) 704-7625 for a free estimate, or learn more about their products online.