Xeriscaping
Xeriscaping is a landscaping approach that minimises irrigation by using drought-tolerant plants, efficient watering, and design choices suited to a dry climate.
The term originated in the United States in the 1980s, combining the Greek 'xeros' (dry) with 'landscaping.' Core principles include grouping plants by water need (hydrozoning), improving soil so it holds moisture better, using mulch to cut evaporation, and replacing thirsty lawn areas with drought-tolerant planting or hardscape.
Xeriscaping principles map directly onto UAE gardens, where rainfall is minimal for most of the year and summer heat pushes water demand far higher than in temperate climates. A garden built around drought-tolerant natives and efficient drip irrigation, rather than a full lawn and manual hose-watering, is the practical local version of the same approach.
It doesn't mean a garden without lawn or colour; it means matching plant choice and irrigation method to actual water need, rather than defaulting to the highest-maintenance option everywhere.
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