Desert Landscaping Ideas.....
clever ideas for "eco-friendly" gardens

In dry areas, where one would typically use these desert landscaping ideas, it is imperative to adapt to xeriscaping (see insert below) and natural landscaping ideas in order to reduce our impact on Mother Nature.

In actual fact, I recommend that we all start using these desert landscaping ideas and adapt our thinking when it comes to landscaping and gardening because of climate patterns shift. 

In South Africa and most of our neighbouring countries to the north and west (Botswana and Namibia), where we do not have easily accessible, plentiful and reliable supplies of fresh water, desert landscaping ideas are becoming an almost "forced" alternative.

Drought tolerant and indigenous plants that acclimate well to harsh, desert weather need almost no care and can be absolutely beautiful as you can see from the photo above.

I went to Namibia in December of 2012. It is an amazingly beautiful and diverse country and there I experienced once again how well Mother Nature adapts to any circumstances. How well she copes with whatever conditions and man-made changes we throw at her.

There is something (very romantic) about sun-sets in a desert landscape which you just do not experience anywhere else in exactly the same way.

Desert Sunset

The native fauna and flora has adapted to the local conditions in this harsh country and just made me realise again how important it is to use nature as your inspiration when contemplating landscaping ideas for your garden.

Indigenous plants also provide suitable habitat for the native fauna in your garden.

Namibia - beautiful

Advantages of Desert Landscaping Ideas.....

• Uses very little ground water, which leaves more water available for domestic use and the environment,
• Needs very little maintenance,
• Is visually interesting,
• A clever planting design, making use of mulching and other techniques, takes full advantage of dew retention

The uses of rock in desert landscaping are endless. Like I have said before, landscaping with rocks it is one of the easiest ways to change the nature and "feel" of your dry outside area with the least effort.

It is easy to move the rock around, even if you just repack it into a different natural shape.....use examples from nature to inspire you!

 And in a dry climate, a beautiful "desert" garden, which attracts the visitor and is visually appealing is a great way to improve the value of your home. 

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