I am starting this thread on behalf of a new member, @Sallymander, who has asked if there would be any interest in starting a new forum dedicated to xeriscaping. Please weigh in if you are interested in this idea. Sally, please let us know what you think.

I think a forum dedicated to native plants and/or plants for desert landscapes would be ideal. A lot of us in climates 9B-11 are very hot and arid and are in literal deserts. The heat is prohibitive to being out in the garden many types and the types of plants we can grow successfully are limited. Our gardening comes with specific challenges. It would be fun to discuss it. Good idea.

Xeriscaping is not just limited to desert climes, but rather the use of plant material that needs very little water

For the past 52 years, I've lived in zones 9 and 10, east coast Florida and it seems that more and more people are becoming interested in conserving water and planting Xeric type gardens, even in this humid part of the country. I think a specific Xeriscaping forum would be a great addition to this site!

Hi, I would definitely be interested in a Xeric forum!

What would it hurt, there is interest in xeriscaping

count me in

To treat water as a precious limited resource is always a wise idea

Yes, xeriscape information would be most useful!

I lived 13 years in New Mexico where conserving water took on a different bent. The issue was that there was hardly any water to be had. A well had to be dug within our 10 acre property after a "dowser" indicated where/how far down to the water table water could be found for use in our house. In addition, we had installed an 8000 gallon underwater cistern to collect the rainwater off of 2 roofs and the grey water from my home usage to have water to water my landscape. And without rainwater, the amount of water my plants got was minimal.

So information regarding which plants required minimal amount of water was very much needed by me for thoughtful gardening.

A big hardy YES to xeriscaping!

I just turned on my soaker hose because the temps have been in the upper 90s. Yesterday was 99F. Getting awfully close to the 100 mark. My trees are still stressed from the 71 mph winds that blew through a few weeks ago.

Yes, please!

I love the idea of a xeriscape forum. I think it is a brilliant idea and much needed.

Here in AZ it distresses me so much when I see the senseless amounts of water just wasted on trying to keep grass alive.

I'm talking beyond golf courses. I am talking about people who 'try' to have lawns or grow trees that are NOT suited for our climate in their yards when our 'lower' summer temps average 105-110 and the upper end of the spectrum can go from 115-121 from mid May through early October. Peoples' non-stop watering in attempts to keep it alive and/or some shade of sickly green doesn't work. It just wastes water.

I had turned off my drip/irrigation system years ago and only water by hand/hose when the plants are in need. I find it to be more beneficial not only for the plants but also for my water bill AND it does conserve water. Why water xeric plants made for my desert climate everyday when that is not what they need? I guess people don't think like that.

So what plants do we want to discuss?

I have a question, did we get the forum?

I don't see a new Xeriscaping forum yet but I think only 7 or 8 people have replied with a YES that they'd like to have a specific xeriscape forum. I'm not sure what criteria Administrators use regarding the number of members interested to give us a new forum but I have a feeling 7 or 8 interested members isn't quite enough.

Yes. I'm betting there will be lots of folk checking out the forum. Even if there are few participants, it will prove valuable for a much larger community. However, "water-wise" or "water-wize" gardens might be a better name. Xeriscaping is likely a bit technical for some.

I would participate.

I'd be interested in a Xeriscaping forum.

https://garden.org/forums/view...

Thank you Dave you are a jewel!!

Yep. I'm with you guys. Regardless of whether we call it a Xeriscaping forum or a 'water wise' one. I can't help but feel it would be very useful for us all. Since I live in the desert in AZ it would be most beneficial.

I'm in. This was an exceptionally wet year for most of us, but that won't last forever.