With a nod to our climate, here are a few terms you may see or hear more often.

Semiarid Climate

A climate that receives 10 to 20 inches of annual precipitation. Colorado Springs is classified as semiarid, or half-desert, because it normally get 16 inches of precipitation each year.

Xeriscape

A water-efficient landscape adapted to the local environment. Some people say “zero-scape,” implying it is zero landscaping, but when done properly, it can be very attractive. Just check out the xeriscape demonstration gardens at the Colorado Springs Utility Mesa plant, 2855 Mesa Road. There is an open house on the third Tuesday of each month, with tours, demonstrations and displays. For details on the open houses and classes, click here of call 668-3333. The gardens are open all day, and the Utilities building, which has information and indoor displays, is open is 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays-Fridays. The Cottonwood Creek Park Xeriscape Demonstration Garden is at 3920 Dublin Boulevard.

Hydrozoning

When landscaped plants are grouped by similar water requirements to maximize potential irrigation efficiency. Plants that need more water are placed in a landscape together, so they can receive more irrigation, and vice versa with less thirsty plants.

Many plants for xeriscaping offer interest in the garden even when dormant. Photo by Brook E. Mark, Colorado Master Gardener