Series: 9 Biology

ANNALS OF THE 9 Horticulture

9 Food produce processing
UNIVERSITY O F CRAIO VA
technology
Vol. XXIII ( L IX) - 2018 9 Environmental engineering

XERISCAPING

Mandă Manuela1*, Salahoru Cătălina 1

*
University of Craiova, Craiova, e-mail: manda_manu@yahoo.com

Keywords: xeriscape, concept, principles, species

ABSTRACT
At present, more and more areas in Romania are characterized by high temperatures
and low precipitation in the summer period. With an emphasis on water and energy conservation,
xeriscape is a creative landscape approach addressed to this purpose. Even under these
circumstances, the possibilities for arrangements of public green spaces or private gardens are
extremely varied. This paper provides information on this concept which constitutes a practical
and sustainable alternative in the design of gardens.

INTRODUCTION
Landscape is a vital component of the urban environment that can provide
environmental, human health, psycho-social and economic benefits (Lee et al. 2015); it
is also a large user of water (Lazarova et al. 2005). Water scarcity is a critical issue that
affects more than 40 per cent of the global population (Karimian et al. 2017) and it is due
to the increase in world population, climate change related to global warming, pollution
and unconscious consumption of water resources. In landscaping, incorrect plant
choices and the use of grass in expansive areas may also increase pressure on limited
water resources. In summer, scenes of yellow, dry, and even dead landscaping designs
are increasingly common where correct landscaping designs are not employed (Çetin et
al. 2018).
The biggest consumption of water used especially in the urban green areas such
as parks and gardens has required the development of new forms of landscaping
(xeriscape approach) which is using water as little as possible (Sarı & Karaşah 2015).
The word and concept of xeriscape occurred in the south-west of the United
States, during the drought at the beginning of the 1980s (Sovocool et al. 2006; Özyavuz
A. & Özyavuz, M. 2012).
Xeriscaping, also known as "xerogardening" is, in essence, a type of landscape
arrangement which requires a minimum amount of water (Hilaire et al. 2008) and
incorporates seven water-conserving principles: 1. Planning and design; 2. Efficient
irrigation systems, properly designed and maintained; 3. Use of mulch; 4. Soil
preparation; 5. Turf alternatives and proper maintenance; 6. Water-efficient plant
material; 7. Appropriate maintenance.
In addition, xeriscaping requires low cost maintenance, the use of species with
resistance or tolerance to drought, it requires fewer fertilizers and herbicides, thus
contributing to the conservation of the environment.
This method of green spaces arrangements is ideal in places where water is not
easily available and in places where climatic conditions require the use of large

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quantities of water for irrigation (areas with seasonal fluctuations of precipitation and
heavy droughts).
Through the implementation of principles the xeriscaping can reduce the water
consumption in the exterior with up to 50 %. Some significant savings can be reached
by a simple change in the irrigation scheme, the use of the most effective method of
irrigation, the right choice of plants used in the arrangement.
In the recent years, the interest in the Xeriscape arrangements for exterior
decoration has increased.
The Xeriscape concept has been adopted in many areas of the world
experiencing drought or long term dry conditions, and actual Xeriscape practices have
evolved differently in various places. The goal of a xeriscape is to create a visually
attractive landscape that uses plants selected for their water efficiency (Özyavuz A. &
Özyavuz M. 2012), without compromising functionality and beauty of the urban
landscape (Hilaire et al. 2008).
In Romania, the arrangement of public and private gardens and the expansion
of green urban areas involves a systematic increase in the demand of water. And if we
take into account the fact that in Romania there are areas with the tendency of
desertification as well as areas with periodic droughts (lack of rain for 2-3 months), the
rational use of water could become a matter of priority. On the basis that in Romania this
landscape approach is not known, this paper provides information on this concept which
constitutes a practical and sustainable alternative in the design of gardens.

MATERIALS AND METHOD

With an emphasis on water and energy conservation, xeriscape is a creative
lanscape approach addressed to this purpose. Even under these circumstances, the
possibilities for arrangements of public green spaces or private gardens are extremely
varied. In addition to the research relating to the concept of "xeriscaping", in this paper,
we proposed the presentation of an assortment of species showing resistance or
tolerance to drought, suitable for this landscape approach, in the climatic conditions in
Romania.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

Vegetation is the most important component of any landscape project.
Sustainability, biodiversity and low maintenance are the main issues underlying the
current trends in landscape designing (Ochoa et al. 2009). The success of this trend
depends on appropriate plant selection (Franco et al. 2006).
Contrary to the wrong impression that xeriscaping involves only the planting of
cacti, succulents on areas covered with gravel, many ornamental herbaceous and woody
plants can be used for this type of arrangement. Thus, the assortment designed for this
type of arrangement may include species of trees, shrubs, grasses, perennial and annual
plants (figure 1).

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 Figure 1: Xeriscape design that uses plants selected for their drought resistance
(Stachys byzantina, Iberis umbellata, Pennisetum setaceum Rubrum, Juniperus
sabina, Miscanthus sinensis, Lavandula angustifolia, Yucca filamentosa)

The succulent plants represent a good choice for this type of arrangement
because of their reduced requirements concerning water and nutrients, they require a
small area of nutrition and grow slow (Anton et al. 2006). Also, many of the self-sown
plants which exist in our country may be included in the xeriscape decoration. The
association of some xerofite species with heights, shapes, colors and different textures
can create interesting combinations (figure 1).
To determine the assortment of species in order to achieve a xeriscape
arrangement, one must follow a number of criteria: requirements concerning water, soil,
light, height, shape and texture of plants; decorative elements; the type of plant; minimal
maintenance; resistance to disease and pests.
Many different and interesting woody and herbaceous plants already in popular
use qualify for xeriscaping (Bosmans 2001).
Table 1 contains ornamental species that may be used for xeriscape
arrangements in Romania's climatic conditions. The suggested assortment also
includes: resistant species to drought with persistent leaves which can decorate
throughout the year (Juniperus, Euonymus, Aucuba, Ophiopogon etc).
The central Xeriscape theme for conserving water is to reduce turfgrass that
does not have practical value with other plant materials (Cisar 2004).
The problems of the classic lawn are related to the consumption of water, use
of chemicals, as well as the neccessary time required for its maintenance. The traditional
lawn requires much more water and effort for its maintenance than most ornamental
plants used in outside arrangements. As a result, xeriscaping can use some species
which may replace the traditional sod, these being selected according to the purpose
and the local conditions. Alternative species for lawns:

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 Figure 2: Ornamental woody and herbaceous plants for xeriscape arrangements
(Acer palmtum, Hibiscus syriacus, Juniperus scopulorum, Euonymus japonica
Albomarginata, Aucuba japonica, Ophiopogon japonicus)

- Trifolium repens (white dwarf clover), the set up is a little more complicated
than the one of the sod, however, it is much more resistant to traffic and drought, it can
be trimmered more rarely and it requires minimum fertilisation.
- The mixture of self-sown plants and field flowers - for rustic gardens -
especially in the hilly areas or the mountainous ones it is recommended this variant
which is very comfortable.
In addition to the variants generic called "grass", there are some species of
plants whose development leads to the formation of a vegetation carpet - the so-called
groundcover plants, which allow the traffic on the surface of the lawn:
- Vinca minor and Vinca major - is a perennial plant, with dark green leaves,
which bloom abundantly in spring, having purple-blue colored flowers. They resist in the
sun rays, but also in the semi-shadow.
- Hedera helix - can be a good option to cover an area of land. Mature leaves
are dark green, persistent, and in spring the young leaves are light green, which creates
an attractive contrast with the dark green leaves of the previous years.
- Ophiopogon japonicus (mondo grass) and Liriope muscari (lilyturf) - asian
species grown widely as a groundcover.
- Euonymus fortunei Silver Queen - is an evergreen creeping or climbing
shrub, with attractively variegated leaves. They prefer the sun, and they grow slow.
Although it is not suitable for areas with heavy traffic, Cotoneaster damerii is a
creeping shrub which grows fast and that may cover wide areas, regardless of the lighting
conditions.
No matter the option one choses, it should be noted that none of the variants
presented will provide the level carpet provided by the lawn.

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 Table 1
Ornamental species for xeriscape arrangements in the climatic conditions of Romania
Species
Trees Acer camperstre, Acer palmatum, Cercis canadensis, Fraxiunus americana,
Ginkgo biloba, Gleditsia triacanthos, Magnolia grandiflora, Quercus rubra,
Picea pungens Glauca, Pinus sylvestris, Platanus occidentalis, Robinia
pseudoacacia, Ulmus minor.
Shrubs Amelanchier alnifolia, Aucuba japonica, Berberis thunbergii, Buxus
microphylla, Buxus sempervirens, Buddleia marrubifolia, Callicarpa
bodinieri, Calycanthus floridus, Euonymus japonica, Hibiscus syriacus, Ilex
sp., Jasminum nudiflorum, Juniperus chinensis, Juniperus sabina, Juniperus
squamata, Juniperus scopulorum, Juniperus virginiana, Mahonia aquifolium,
Osmanthus heterophyllus, Pinus mugo, Punica spp., Rhus typhina,
Viburnum macrocephalum, Viburnum lantana.
Undergrowth Yucca filamentosa, Genista tinctoria, Ruscus aculeatus, Ruscus
hypoglossum
Annual Centaurea cyanus, Dianthus chinensis, Eschscholzia californica,
Gomphrena globosa, Helichrysum bracteatum, Portulaca grandifloria,
Tithonia rotundifolia, Tagetes spp, Zinnia elegans
Perennials Achillea filipendula, A. millefolium, Aster sp., Aquilegia chrysantha, Bergenia
cordifolia, Coreopsis spp, Echinacea purpurea, Echinops spp., Iberis
umbellata, Gaillardia aristata, Gypsophila paniculata, Heuchera sanguinea,
Lavandula angustifolia, Limonium latifolium, Kniphofia uvaria, Ophiopogon
japonicus, Penstemon sp., Phlox subulata, Solidago spp., Rudbeckia hirta
Ornamental Festuca cinerea, Festuca glauca, Helictotrichon sempervirens, Miscanthus
grasses sinensis, Muhlenbergia rigens, Pennisetum setaceum
Mosaic plant Cerastium tomentosum, Cineraria maritima, Stachys byzantina
Succulents Sedum spectabile, S. pallidum, S. spurium, S. rupestre, Sempervivum spp
Lianas Lonicera japonica, Parthenocissus quinquefolia, Tecoma, Vitis sp., Wistera sp.
Native plants Aster alpinus, Erigeron sp., Galium odoratum, Lychnis coronaria, Luzula
luzuloides, Salvia pratensis, Xeranthemum annuum

CONCLUSIONS
There are numerous reasons why this type of arrangement should be taken into
consideration: lowered consumption of water, reduce maintenance and less cost to
maintain, reduced waste and pollution, reduce fertilizer use (NPK).
A well-planned xeriscape landscape, besides the presented benefits can be as
succesful as any other type of garden design. Although it involves conserving water it can be
attractive, colorful and it utilizes a variety of styles (even formal style), shapes and textures.
Contrary to the impression that "xeriscaping" shall include only cacti and
succulents, many ornamental herbaceous and woody plants can be used for this type of
arrangement.
The common qualities of the plants intended for "xeriscape" landscapes justify
the use of certain groups of ornamental plants, as well as species: spontaneous,
succulent, decorative herbs, some perennial and annual species.

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