Xeriscaping Design & Construction Near Me
We design and build beautiful low maintenance, drought tolerant landscapes
Xeriscaping, also known as drought-tolerant landscaping, is a landscaping approach that focuses on creating water-efficient, low-maintenance, and environmentally sustainable gardens or outdoor spaces. The term "xeriscaping" comes from the Greek word "xeros," meaning dry, and "scape," meaning scenery. The primary goal of xeriscaping is to conserve water, reduce maintenance, and create a landscape that is well adapted to local climate conditions, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions or in regions that face seasonal water restrictions.
Outdoor Living Experts is a landscaping contractor based out of Hampton, Virginia and serving Newport News, Poquoson, Suffolk, Smithfield, and Williamsburg. We specialize in the design and installation of low maintenance, drought-tolerant xeriscapes using a variety of natural stone, river rock, and native plantings to create the perfect balance of interest and color. Whether you're looking for a low maintenance landscape in your front yard to improve curb appeal or you'd like to xeriscape around your backyard pool or patio our team can help.
Xeriscaping offers a diverse range of popular design elements that create visually appealing, water-efficient, and low-maintenance landscapes. Native and drought-tolerant plants are essential components, providing color, texture, and interest while minimizing water usage. Groundcovers can be used as lawn alternatives, reducing the need for water-intensive grass lawns. Hardscape surfaces, such as gravel or decomposed granite pathways, contribute to both aesthetics and functionality, while permeable materials help with water absorption. Incorporating features like rain gardens and dry creek beds or swales can effectively manage stormwater runoff and create natural focal points in the landscape.
Other popular design elements include mulched planting beds, which help conserve soil moisture, and rock gardens that add visual interest with minimal maintenance. Retaining walls or terraces can be employed for erosion control and to create distinct planting areas. Rainwater harvesting systems, such as rain barrels or cisterns, further enhance water conservation efforts. In addition, xeriscapes can provide wildlife habitats with features like bird baths, nesting boxes, or pollinator gardens. Shade structures, such as pergolas or arbors, create comfortable outdoor seating areas and can be combined with artistic elements like sculptures, fountains, or decorative boulders to add a unique touch to the landscape.
Xeriscaping incorporates several principles and techniques, including:
#1. Plant selection: We always choose native or drought-tolerant plants that require minimal supplemental watering once established. These plants are better adapted to our local climate and soil conditions and often require less maintenance than non-native species.
#2. Soil improvement: Drainage is important for a functional xeriscape. We usually amend the soil with organic matter, such as compost, to improve its water retention and nutrient availability. This helps plants establish strong root systems, making them more resistant to drought and other environmental stresses.
#3. Efficient irrigation: Implement efficient watering methods, such as drip irrigation and soaker hoses to target the root zones of plants and minimize water waste.
#4. Mulching: Apply a layer of organic or inorganic mulch around plants to conserve soil moisture, reduce evaporation, suppress weeds, and moderate soil temperature. Mulch materials can include wood chips, gravel, river rock, or crushed stone.
#5. Zoning: Ideally we try and group plants that share similar water, sunlight, and soil requirements together. This optimizes your irrigation system efficiency and reduces water waste. The less water a xeriscape requires to remain healthy, the better.
#6. Lawn reduction: Grass takes large amounts of water to stay healthy. The goal of a well-designed xeriscape is to minimize or replace traditional grass lawns with drought-tolerant ornamental grasses, groundcovers, or hardscape elements, such as patios, walkways, or gravel paths. This reduces the need for frequent watering, mowing, and fertilizing.
#7. Maintenance: The entire point of a xeriscape is to reduce water consumption and maintenance requirements. However, you'll still need to regularly prune, weed, and inspect your landscape to maintain its health and appearance. Proper maintenance can also help prevent pests, diseases, and ensure the longevity of your drought tolerant plants.
Quentin and crew transformed our unique and failing backyard landscape into a space we use and enjoy. We are very happy with both the result and the process, from start to finish.
We were in the market for a nice fire pit and planned on just doing a traditional wood burning fit pit. Outdoor Living Experts (OLE) happen to come with an excellent proposal for investing into a gas fire pit and did an excellent job explaining the added benefits of the investment. We chose to move forward based off their recommendations and are so happy we did! Our family and friends love visiting in the cooler months of the year to warm up by the clean burning fire pit, that we can light up without any hassle. Best regards - David L.
Always professional from concept to design to execution. Friendly and easy to work with. We’ll be using Ole again in the near future.
They were prompt, clearly communicated and finished the job in just three days. I am extremely happy with the results.