Xeriscape Landscaping - A Waterwise Practice

On December 14th, Paul and Sheila McFarland of Barbarosa Court hosted a “xeriscape” landscape workshop highlighting the numerous positives to a “no grass” lawn. This was part of the Calusa Garden Club’s horticulture workshop series organized by Horticultural Chairwoman Maureen McFarland.

Some of the reasons Paul and Sheila McFarland practice xeriscape landscape include: “wasting water, polluting the environment from chemical applications of fertilizer and pesticides -- as well as diminishing biodiversity.”  This “no grass lawn” property has replaced turf grass with succulents, rocks, mulch, native grasses, ornamental shrubs and stepping stones.

The owners are a Certified Arborist (Paul) and enthusiastic gardener (Sheila), who transformed their piece of paradise into a unique and creative property. Paul greeted everyone with an enthusiastic “hello fellow gardeners” and announced to the Garden Club members that they would receive a free succulent to take home adding, “If you see a plant you like, please take a cutting.”

Paul and Sheila planted 12 varieties of aloe, 16 varieties of kalanchoe, and nine varieties of palms. The drought-tolerant succulents were in bloom – most of them we associate with small container gardening. Another houseplant type plant is the kalanchoe and they planted 16 amazing varieties – all doing well and flowering. 

A robust “scented-leaved geranium” plant was a favorite with the gardeners with dark green crinkled leaves emitting a citronella fragrance when slightly touched. Some of the more popular scents include chocolate, rose, cinnamon, mint and apple and ideally planted by a walkway or an entrance where you will rub against them.

According to landscape designers, "xeriscaping" is a landscape for areas that are susceptible to drought or a type of gardening that uses a minimal amount of water to thrive. At the McFarland’s garden, they used light mulch and grouped their plants, choosing drought-tolerant succulents.

According to Paul McFarland, he does not use fertilizer or pesticides. They are on a canal and according to Paul, everything you do in your yard or garden will eventually drain down the waterways. Here in Marco, we hear a lot about “point source” and “nonpoint” sources of pollution. While we may not think of fertilizer and pest control sprays as harmful to your waterways, over time, the runoff can be considerable.

Paul is passionate about the environment and shared, “Water is a necessity and we are running out of it.” He waters once a week and usually shuts the sprinkler off during the summer since all their plants are drought-tolerant.

What to do with the rabbits? Sheila found a solar-powered noise maker as a deterrent and we encountered several of them around the garden during the tour. It is a motion sensor called Animal Repeller, a “safe, green way to keep your garden free from pests and animals.” It senses animal motion and emits a sound to deter the voracious rabbit. We did see evidence of chewed-off tender leaf succulents.

Paul recommended Betrock’s Reference Guide to Florida Landscape Plants for environmentally responsible gardeners with details on zones and soil requirements. Though an older book, it provides a quick guide to 124 Florida Native Plants.