The population of the High Desert has been climbing at more than 15% annually over the last ten years. Many new residents have moved here from elsewhere in Southern California to enjoy cleaner air and a peaceful, less hurried lifestyle. Climatic conditions in the High Desert are harsher and more extreme than marine climates, offering a landscaping challenge.

New homes are often purchased on relatively large lots with little or no landscaping provided. This section is divided into Designing and Installing Your Landscape and Designing and Installing Your Irrigation System to assist with these important issues.

Designing and Installing Your Landscape

First, design your landscape on paper. Begin by listing the functions your landscape should provide your family, such as play areas for small children, entertainment areas, and shade. Next, decide where these functional areas should be located for maximum pleasure and use. Consider wind patterns, sunlight, accessibility, and other site-specific conditions when creating your landscape plan.

Here are some useful facts to consider when designing your landscape:

• When selecting plants, consider function first and foremost. Next, decide on acceptable maintenance levels. Group plants according to irrigation needs whenever possible.
• Always select plants according to how their mature size and appearance fit into your design. Do not select plants based on initial appearance in immature stage of growth.
• Consider adding interest and color to your landscape by rotating annual flowers in small "investment zones" near your house.
• Plants that are placed by themselves and directly exposed to the sky are more frostprone than those protected by shade from other plants, patios, or other structures.
• In hot, dry, windy weather, shade-loving plants, such as azaleas and begonias, lose water faster than they can take it up. Keep them in partial shade.
• Large growing trees should be planted at least 20 feet from your house. This gives tree roots adequate space to grow and prevents structural damage to your home. Also avoid planting trees closer than five feet from sidewalks and driveways.

Once your family has agreed on an acceptable landscape design, specific plants may be selected. The Plant List in this guide lists many climatically adapted choices for the High Desert and includes color photos. An extensive plant list is provided on this site for additional ideas.

Table of Contents

Home
Introduction
Know your Local Ordinance
Desert Climate
Analyze Your Site
Landscaping a New Home
Soil Amendments
Planting Your Landscape
Make Your Own Compost
Designing and Installing
       your Irrigation System
Relandscaping for the
       High Desert
3 Year Guide for
       Relandscaping
Maintaining an Established        Landscape
Maintaining Your Irrigation        System
Water Budget Method of         Irrigating Trees and
        Shrubs
High Desert Lawn
        Watering Guide
Do You Have a Fire Hazard?
Erosion Control
The High Desert Seasons
Turf Grasses for the
        High Desert
Plant Lists
     Shrubs
     Vines
     Groundcover
     Plants for Color
     Trees

Acknowledgments