Lush and Unthirsty: Tropical Look with Drought-Tolerant Plants

Richard and Carole Kraemer's Paradise Valley garden looks tropical, but the plants are genuinely drought-tolerant. Beside the front entry, a plush green "welcome mat" is lippia (Phyla nodiflora), not thirsty turf. Near the pool, lady's slipper (Pedilanthus macrocarpus) — an unthirsty succulent — mimics an aquatic plant. Bougainvillea climbs a trellis and the back cliff. Most ground is hardscape: pavers, a ramada, and a fireplace.

DESIGN: Greg Trutza, New Directions in Landscape Architecture, Phoenix (602/264-5202)

Design Tips

• Eliminate turf. Grass demands enormous water. If needed, confine to a small area (think throw rug, not carpet). Better: plant lippia or another drought-tolerant groundcover.
• Concentrate greenery. Create lush planting pockets where they have most psychological impact — near entry, by patio, edging a path. Less-visible areas can be sparse.
• Celebrate hardscape. Be lavish with patios, terraces, and pathways in desert-echoing colors. Cover bare earth with mineral mulch to tie the garden to its surroundings.