Xeriscaping: What it is and How it Can Benefit You

As an investor, one major concern should be making sure that your Capitol Hill rental properties have attractive yet low-maintenance landscaping. While many options abound, one approach that is becoming popular in many places is xeriscaping. Xeriscaping is common in desert areas but it is now becoming the landscaping method of choice for a lot of rental property owners. This could be due to the direct benefits xeriscaping offers to the owners and tenants of rental properties. Choosing to xeriscape a yard is an individual choice. Making this decision may become easier if you first understand what xeriscaping is and how it will be beneficial to you.

Contemplating whether xeriscaping the best option for your properties begins by seeing this method for what it is and what it is not. Misperceptions about xeriscaping abound. Some think that a xeriscaped yard is devoid of grass or trees. This is very far from the truth. Xeriscaping is a style of landscaping designed to use smaller amounts of water efficiently. This includes reducing, but not eliminating, lawns or flower beds, planting hardy, drought-resistant trees and shrubs, and adding decorative rocks or other “hardscaping” elements.

Using this landscaping method will give you many benefits. Planting trees and shrubs that need less water would lead to a reduction in your utility costs. Xeriscaping usually uses a drip system to deliver water directly to plants and trees, avoiding waste. Xeriscaping is also aids in preventing soil erosion. In wet conditions, decorative rock can help stabilize saturated soils, control drainage, and keep running water away from your property’s foundation. In dry climates, decorative rock is used to prevent wind erosion and to cover unsightly bare patches of the yard.

Decorative rock comes in a wide range of colors and sizes for easy customization of your landscaping design. There are some ways to achieve a xeriscaped yard for far less money than you might think. If you can find and use low-cost or even free materials, you significantly reduce your costs. Do not underestimate the eye-catching appeal of a path made from river rock or pebbles curving across the yard. There are a lot of creative ways to landscape with rocks that this has become a top choice for investors who want pretty landscaping year-round.

Another important benefit of xeriscaping is that it is very low-maintenance. Smaller lawn areas mean less mowing and trimming while still keeping the yard attractive. Hardy trees and plants are usually slower growing, which means less trimming may be required. Most tenants consider a low-maintenance yard as an advantage when choosing rental properties. Your water bill will decrease and your property will look great from season to season.

Need more guidance on landscaping? Has maintenance become overwhelming? Real Property Management Washington DC has a full staff of Capitol Hill property managers ready to take over for you. For more information, contact us online or call us at 202-813-9993.