Xeriscaping?

[themotleyshopper]

I live in the desert and our city highly encourages xeriscaping (planning your landscaping to use as little water as possible). We use rocks as ground cover and plant plants that are adaptable to the desert (cacti). I really miss the lush greenery of the north! I'm always looking for plants that "look" like they're NOT from the desert Any suggestions? Hibiscus do fairly well, but still require more water than the ol' cactus. I'd love to hear your thoughts.

 

[Antau LJn]

Mesquite does really well once it has settled in. It can be pruned to look like a regular tree, though it may be a bit of a fight, I've seen Mesquite trees that look really good. Chaparral is a plant I often see growing all over the desert. There are other plants that don't look like cactus, but I can't think of them right off-hand.

 

[blueiris]

I've heard about this fragrant bush for dry areas. It's call the Arnold Red Honeysuckle. I'm from the wet South so I haven't grown it but I love fragrant plants and this red and green plant looks nice and lush:

http://www.mrjacksfarm.com/dnn/Shrubbery/Honeysuckles/ArnoldRed/tabid/423/Default.aspx