Xeriscaping Trivia Quiz

Answer: Landscaping that reduces the need for water

Xeriscaping is landscaping and gardening that reduces the need for water from irrigation. This can be as extreme as building a landscape or garden that relies just on natural rainfall or as simple as designing/implementing a garden to use slightly less water than average.

Answer: dry

Xeriscaping came from the Greek xer(ic) and (Land)scaping to make xeriscaping. Xer(os) means dry.The (ic) is a common suffix added to loanwords from Greek. The (c) is dropped to make the word easier to pronounce.
As an aside, Xerox was so named because it was "dry copying", very different from the then prevailing wet copying.

Answer: A tropical rainforest

Denver Colorado, Central Australia and rural Nevada are all dry climates where water is either hard to obtain or expensive, so xeriscaping is gaining in popularity. A tropical rainforest is a very wet environment and therefore the concept of xeriscaping is not relevant.

Answer: Yes

Yes absolutely! They may need additional water during times of drought, or when first planted, or just on a regular basis. The key is that they need less water than the average.
Even if the plant doesn't need additional water, it certainly needs water at some point, such in an example as extreme as a cactus which needs water very infrequently.

Answer: No

While many xeriscapes use US southwestern desert plants and themes, there are many alternatives that can be used. Examples include using Mediterranean plants for a formal French theme or a rural Italian theme. The key to a successful xeriscape is using an appropriate mix of plants that use less water than average.

Answer: No

While in some areas is certainly possible to create a xeriscape using only native plants, this is not required. As an example Russian sage, which is an import from Asia, does very well in Colorado's high, dry climate, bright sunshine and alkaline soils.
While there can be overlap, xeriscaping is not the same as natural landscaping that uses only natural plants.

Answer: Weeping Willow

Gambrel Oak, Lavender and Juniper are all excellent choices for a xeriscape.
Weeping Willows typically grow in wet sites, often besides rivers and lakes. Due to their high water use they are not suitable for xeriscapes.

Answer: Kentucky Bluegrass

Kentucky bluegrass is a durable turfgrass, however it uses significantly more water than other choices. While high use areas such as lawns and play fields may still need very durable grass, lower use areas such as streetscapes, walking/hiking opens paces and sloped areas of a garden can be planted with lower water use grass such as fine leaved fescue and other native grasses successfully.

Answer: Colorado

Xeriscaping as a concept originated in Colorado with the Xeriscape Colorado Task Force. This non-profit partnered with Denver Water in the 1980s. The term xeriscaping was originally coined by Nancy Leavitt of the Denver Water Board in 1981.

In 1982 the first xeriscape demonstration garden was unveiled in Denver at an "X-rated Garden Party".

Answer: No

No, absolutely not! Most landscapes will have existing plants that are very suitable for a xeriscape. Changing out a few of the highest water use plants can make make a significant difference in the need for extra water. Water savings can also be made just by making a more efficient irrigation system or even just by watering outside of the heat of the day.