Xeriscaping & Desert Landscaping in St. George, Utah

Much of Washington County sits on clay soils that drain slowly, and many lots have a layer of caliche, a cemented calcium deposit that roots and water cannot get through. Planting straight into either is the most common reason desert plants fail. Before anything goes in the ground we check drainage at each planting spot, break through caliche where we find it, and amend backfill so roots can spread. We remove existing lawn completely rather than burying it, set a weed barrier where it makes sense, and grade the yard so monsoon runoff moves away from your foundation instead of pooling in beds.

We plant species that handle full sun, alkaline soil, and dry heat. Depending on the spot, that can include red yucca, Texas sage, desert spoon, agave, globe mallow, penstemon, blackfoot daisy, and desert marigold for color, deer grass and muhly grass for movement, and purple heart or other groundcovers to soften edges. For shade and height we often use desert willow, palo verde, mesquite, or palms. We avoid plants that look good in a nursery pot but struggle through a St. George July, and we space everything for its mature size so beds fill in without crowding.

The Washington County Water Conservancy District pays up to $3 per square foot to replace qualifying lawn with water-efficient landscaping for projects finished by June 1, 2027. The program has requirements, including a review before the grass comes out and living plant coverage in the finished design, so it pays to plan the conversion around them from the start. We design xeriscape conversions with those criteria in mind and walk you through the process during your estimate. Check the district's current program details before you start, since rules and deadlines can change.