General Info

The Midwest region of the United States is the largest of all the landscape regions in the country. It can be divided into two sections. The northern half is comprised of the states of Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. The southern half holds Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas.

The entire Midwest landscaping region has a tendency toward dry spells and windiness. Two conservational landscape techniques can enhance the Midwestern landscape while also helping to conserve energy and resources.

We cannot control the weather elements, but by careful placement of our landscape foliage, we can control how much of the brunt our homes bear from extreme weather conditions. Trees, shrubs and wall covering vines can all buffer the effects of wind and sun on the home landscape. This in turn can help reduce the amount of energy needed to heat and cool our homes, reducing bills for electricity and natural gas.

Another concept in landscaping, called xeriscaping, is based on principles that help to reduce and therefore conserve water. The xeriscape landscaping concept originated with the Denver Colorado Water Department in 1981. The Greek root of the word "xeros" means dry. this type of landscape design is tailored to combat drought.

We've all heard that old expression "the grass is always greener...", well xeriscape landscaping employs the use of other ground covers that do not require the copious amounts of water that a traditional lawn must have to avoid burning up during intense summer sun and heat.

No matter whether you live in the northern or southern half of the Midwest landscape, you can begin to employ xeriscape landscaping techniques by reducing the grassy area of your landscape. In it's place, try an extended patio of attractive flag stones set into sand. Rock gardens also provide a pleasing landscape while still reducing water consumption. In the southern half of the Midwest landscape region, cacti and succulents are extremely engaging when used as filler plants in a rock garden landscape.

You don't have to give up the lush color of a flower bed with xeriscape landscaping. Plants such as geraniums, sedums, and lamb's ears are all drought resistant to some extent and provide wonderful color and texture. Mulching well around these drought fighters will further help to retain precious moisture in the soil and also make a very attractive focal point in your landscape.

Any well thought out landscaping plan can enhance the beauty and value of your property, but planning with conservation in mind can also help you conserve valuable resources and save money in the long run.