Xeriscaping with
 Native Wild Flowers 

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Easywildflowers plant nursery
located in Willow Springs Missouri 65793

What is xeriscaping? (zer-i-skap-ing)

Literally, the word xeriscaping comes from a combination of two other words: "xeri" derived from the Greek word "xeros" for dry; and "scape", meaning a kind of view or scene. While xeriscape translates to mean "dry scene," in practice xeriscaping means simply landscaping with slow-growing, drought tolerant plants to conserve water and reduce yard trimmings.   Xeriscaping ="xeros" for dry combined with landscaping, thus xeriscaping. The term was coined by the Front Range Xeriscape Task Force of the Denver Water Department in 1981. The goal of a xeriscape is to create a visually attractive landscape that uses plants selected for their water efficiency. Properly maintained, a xeriscape can easily use less than one-half the water of a traditional landscape. Once established, a xeriscape should require less maintenance than turf landscape.

Xeriscapes generally require less fertilizer and fewer pest control measures than traditional landscapes. Because pesticides and fertilizers can inadvertently harm beneficial organisms, as well as impact air and water quality, reducing their use is a good idea. And, of course, using less of these materials saves money.

Indigenous (native) plants are naturally accustomed to local climates and therefore good choices for water and waste efficient landscapes,

Using native and other drought-tolerant plants can significantly reduce water use.
Xeriscaping Saves Time, it de-emphasizes the use of bluegrass lawns and other thirsty plants. This common-sense approach can reduce the time you spend watering, fertilizing and mowing.
Xeriscaping Saves Money, reducing water use can lower your water bill.  Xeriscaping can also reduce maintenance costs and increase the beauty and value of your property. 

Xeriscape landscapes need not be cactus and rock gardens. They can be green, cool landscapes full of beautiful plants maintained with water-efficient practices.  A Xeriscape can look as conventional and formal as you like. The look you choose can be highly individual. You might choose to create a distinctly western landscape with rock formations and indigenous plants. Or you could create a mountain meadow, complete with an ever-changing medley of wildflowers.

By applying xeriscape principles to your landscape, you will not only save water, but you will also enjoy the beauty and diversity of native and other water-wise (drought-tolerant) plants. 

Mulching Conserves Moisture and is a layer of nonliving material covering the soil surface around plants. Mulches can be organic materials such as pine bark, compost and woodchips; or inorganic materials, such as lava rock, limestone or permeable plastic, not sheet plastic.

Mulches cover the soil and minimize evaporation, cool the soil, reduce weed growth and slow erosion. Mulches can also provide landscape interest and offer protective cover until plants mature. Organic mulches- including bark chips, wood grindings, and composted cotton burrs- are commonly used in planting beds. Inorganic mulches, such as gravel and decomposed granite, can be used to add texture and color under trees and around shrubs. Note: do not use plastic underneath rock or bark. It prevents the soil from breathing and encourages shallow plant roots.

Use a mulch wherever possible. A good mulch conserves water by significantly reducing moisture evaporation from the soil. Mulch also reduces weed populations, prevents soil compaction and keeps soil temperatures more moderate.

All of the plants listed on this site can be utilized in various areas of a xeriscape.  Here is a partial list of some of my favorite native wildflowers for xeriscaping a sunny area in average to poor soil.  

 Scientific Name ,  Common Name

 Allium stellatum ,  Prairie Onion sun
 Aquilegia canadensis ,  Columbine   
 Asarum canadense ,  Canadian Wild Ginger  
 Asclepias tuberosa ,  Butterfly Milkweed  
 Aster oblongifolius  Aromatic Aster  
 Aster oolentangiensis   Sky Blue Aster 
 Aster sericeus,  Silky Aster 
 Baptisia australis ,  Blue Wild Indigo
 Baptisia bracteata,  Cream Indigo 
 Boltonia asteroides ,  False aster  
 Callirhoe involucrata ,  Purple Poppy Mallow, wine cup
 Ceanothus americanus,  New Jersey Tea  
 Coreopsis lanceolata ,  Lanceleaf Coreopsis  
 Coreopsis tripteris,  Tall Coreopsis  
 Echinacea pallida ,  Pale-Purple Coneflower 
 Echinacea paradoxa ,  Yellow Coneflower
 Echinacea purpurea ,  Purple Coneflower  
 Echinacea simulata ,  Glade Coneflower 
 Eryngium yuccifolium ,  Rattlesnake Master  
 Heliopsis helianthoides ,  False Sunflower
 Lespedeza capitata ,  Round-headed Bushclover  
 Liatris aspera,  Rough Blazing Star
 Liatris mucronata, Narrow-leaf Gayfeather
 Liatris pycnostachya ,  Prairie Blazing Star
 Liatris scariosa ,  Eastern Blazing Star  
 Liatris squarrosa,  Scaly Blazing Star
 Oenothera macrocarpa,  Missouri primrose 
 Opuntia humifusa,  Prickly Pear Cactus
 Penstemon cobaea ,  Showy Beard Tongue
 Penstemon digitalis,  Foxglove Beard Tongue  
 Ratibida pinnata,  Prairie or Grayhead Coneflower 
 Rudbeckia missouriensis ,  Missouri Black-eyed  Susan  
 Salvia azurea ,  Blue Sage 
 Solidago drummondii,  Cliff Goldenrod  
 Solidago nemoralis,  Gray Goldenrod
 Solidago rigida,  Stiff Goldenrod
 Solidago speciosa ,  Showy Goldenrod  
 Talinum calycinum, Fame flower
 Viola pedata,  Bird's-foot violet    
 Native Grasses for planting in a xeriscaped area
 Andropogon gerardi,  Big Bluestem
 Bouteloua curtipendula,  Sideoats Grama
 Schizachyrium scoparium,  Little Bluestem
 Sorghastrum nutans,  Indian Grass
 Sporobolus heterolepis ,  Prairie Dropseed

Click here for map & driving directions to 
Easywildflowers plant nursery
located in Willow Springs Missouri 65793

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Easyliving Wildflowers
PO Box  522
Willow Springs,  Mo.  65793
phone 417-469-2611 
fax 417-469-2611
e-mail questions, comments, and orders to - john@easywildflowers.com