Low Maintenance Xeriscape Landscape
Home/ Services/ Low Maintenance / Xeriscaping

Xeriscaping & Low Maintenance Landscapes

Beautiful, purposeful landscapes designed specifically for Calgary's climate — using drought-tolerant plants, decorative rock, and smart design principles that dramatically reduce water use, maintenance, and your weekend work.

Landscapes That Take Care of Themselves

Xeriscaping isn't about removing all the plants and replacing them with gravel — that's a common misconception. Done right, xeriscaping creates lush, layered, visually interesting landscapes that are deeply adapted to Calgary's semi-arid climate, using significantly less water and requiring far less ongoing maintenance than traditional turf-heavy yards.

Whether you want to reduce your water bill, eliminate summer mowing, or simply get your weekends back, we design low-maintenance landscapes that still have genuine curb appeal, seasonal colour, and personality — without the perpetual upkeep.

  • Full xeriscape design & installation
  • Drought-tolerant & native plant selection
  • Alberta-hardy perennials & ornamental grasses
  • Decorative rock, gravel & crushed stone groundcovers
  • Landscape fabric & weed suppression systems
  • Drip irrigation & water-wise sprinkler systems
  • Turf reduction & lawn replacement designs
  • Rock garden & alpine-style gardens
  • Raised planting beds & defined garden areas
Request Your Free Estimate
Premium Xeriscape Project Overview

Quick Facts

Typical Timeline3–10 Days
Warranty3-Year Installation
Water SavingsUp to 50–75%
Free EstimateYes — On-Site

Why Calgary Loves Xeriscaping

Perfectly Suited to Calgary

Calgary sits in a semi-arid climate zone. Traditional grass lawns fight their environment every single day. Xeriscaped landscapes work with our climate instead of against it — thriving on natural rainfall with minimal supplemental watering.

Serious Cost Savings

Dramatically lower water bills, eliminated fertilizer and pesticide costs, and near-zero lawn maintenance expenses. Most clients recoup the installation cost within a few years through savings alone.

Still Beautifully Designed

Xeriscape doesn't mean bare rock. We layer textures, heights, and seasonal colour using perennials, ornamental grasses, and sculptural plants that look incredible from spring through late fall.

Get Your Weekends Back

No more mowing every Saturday, weekly watering schedules, or fall aeration. Xeriscaped properties require a fraction of the ongoing maintenance of traditional lawns — that's time back in your pocket.

Ecological Benefits

Native and prairie-adapted plants support local pollinators, birds, and beneficial insects. A xeriscaped yard is a mini ecosystem that contributes positively to the local environment.

Smart Irrigation Integration

Where watering is needed, we design drip irrigation and water-wise sprinkler systems that deliver water precisely where plants need it — maximizing efficiency and minimizing waste.

Xeriscaping FAQ

Not at all — this is the biggest misconception about xeriscaping. A well-designed xeriscape is layered with plants of varying heights, textures, and seasonal colours. Decorative rock and gravel are used as groundcovers between plants, not as the entire landscape. The result looks intentional, designed, and beautiful — not like someone gave up on gardening.

Some of our favourite Calgary-hardy xeriscape plants include: Karl Foerster grass, Blue Oat grass, Sedum (stonecrop), Prairie Coneflower (Rudbeckia), Catmint, Gaillardia, Agastache, Russian Sage, and Juniper varieties. We'll design with a mix that gives you colour from May through October with minimal intervention.

Studies consistently show that xeriscaping reduces landscape water use by 50–75% compared to traditional turf lawns. On a typical Calgary residential lot, that can translate to reductions of thousands of litres per season — with corresponding savings on your water bill and time spent watering.

Absolutely — partial xeriscape conversions are actually very common. A popular approach is to xeriscape the front yard (which usually sees the least foot traffic) while keeping a small grass area in the back for children or pets. Even converting a side yard or boulevard strip can make a significant difference in maintenance and water use.

Yes — with the right plant selection. We design xeriscapes with four-season appeal: spring bulbs, summer perennials, fall seed heads that look beautiful with frost on them, and evergreen elements that hold structure through winter. The decorative rock groundcover also looks intentional and clean under snow — far better than dormant brown grass.

What Our Clients Say

"We were spending 6+ hours a week on our yard — mowing, watering, edging. After Rundle converted our front and side yards to xeriscape, that's down to about 30 minutes a month. And the front yard looks better than it ever did with grass. Multiple neighbours have asked us who did it."
PL
Paul L.Calgary NE — Full Front Yard Xeriscape
"Colin walked us through the plant selection and helped us understand what would actually survive our winters and thrive without babying. Three years later, everything is flourishing, the pollinators love it, and our water bill dropped by almost $300 that first summer. No regrets whatsoever."
SB
Sandra B.Cochrane, AB — Partial Xeriscape & Drip Irrigation

Ready to Spend Less Time on Your Yard?

Let's design a landscape that looks incredible, uses far less water, and actually fits into your lifestyle — not against it.

Get Your Free Xeriscape Estimate
Or call us directly: (403) 247-1331
Free Quote