And who says I can't have "lush" in Las Vegas? In my yard in Las Vegas, I have a pomegranate tree, a gorgeous, lush fig tree with the best figs - yummy! I have an apricot tree - should say I had an apricot tree (it was "overproductive" and killed itself). There are vivid hibiscus, trumpet flowers (I'm not good with plant names), a couple of rose bushes, lots of palm trees, several varieties, many shrubs and ground covers - it's a lush and gorgeous yard and still very water-efficient. I have a drip system and rock pathways. A huge stamped concrete patio area that is an extension of the interior of my home. I live inside and out. That's possible here in Las Vegas!
- It killed itself in it's 4th year!
But yes, creating a lush, yet water-efficient landscape can be a challenge in the Mojave Desert. It takes some planning and learning what works and doesn't. A great way is to use some native plants in your yard and The Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA) offers a variety of resources to help you save water and still maintain a beautiful landscape. Incorporating native plants into your landscape provides a beautiful, hardy, drought resistant, low maintenance area to your landscape, that benefits the environment as well. Once established, they save time and money by eliminating or significantly reducing the need for fertilizers, pesticides, water, and lawnmowers.
If you need help designing your yard, SNWA offers free, professionally-designed landscape plans for both front and back yards and include plant palettes to help you create your own "Oasis". You can also find out which plants and trees attract butterflies and birds. SNWA offers a lot of interesting information. Las Vegas SNWA Water Smart Landscapes program provides a rebate for every square foot of grass removed and replaced with water-efficient landscaping.
Las Vegas SNWA
Useful native plant info links:
• Wild Ones Natural Landscapers is a 23-year-old non-profit organization devoted to restoring native ecologies and promoting environmentally sensitive horticultural practices.
• The Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center has a comprehensive list of resources for every state.
• National Wildlife Federation Backyard Wildlife Habitat Program tells the basics for starting a backyard wildlife habitat.
• The Environmental Protection Agency's Green Landscaping site has information about reducing energy consumption through the use of native plant landscapes.
• Ken Robertson's write-up on the tallgrass prairie of Illinois features excellent photos of many dry prairie species.
