This large backyard backs up to a golf course and was previously over 3000sqft of Kentucky bluegrass. Since the backyard received little use, the high water-using bluegrass was converted to Colorado's state grass, Blue grama, and saves about 60% of the water. Many of the plants in this landscape are xeric plants that compliment this native turf well and fit right into the surrounding Colorado backdrop.

With a yard this big, designing for low maintenance and water conservation can be a real challenge. But this homeowner and garden enthusiast was up for the challenge. A large patio was installed to both accommodate outdoor entertaining needs and stay in scale with the large size of the backyard. The beds surrounding the patio are planted with flowering perennials adapted to our climate, watered with drip irrigation and mulched to retain moisture. Because the grass in this yard has only occasional foot traffic from visiting grand kids, part of the Kentucky bluegrass (darker green) was kept and the rest was converted to blue grama (lighter green). However, after experiencing the benefits of blue grama for a few years, the homeowners have decided to convert the entire grass area to the native blue grama. To access the gate to the alley, they mow a path in the tall blue grama.

Xeriscape is a great opportunity to showcase plants with different colors and textures. This yard uses ornamental trees, evergreen shrubs, striking ornamental grasses and a native grass lawn to breathe life into a yard that used to be all Kentucky bluegrass. The parkway strip is home to the existing juniper that has been partnered with large maiden grasses and a pathway which accommodates foot traffic from the street parking. A native grass turf covers about half of the remaining yard with planting beds around the perimeter that feature low water perennials, grasses and groundcovers.