Free sample design
Drought-tolerant garden, full sun, zone 8
This is a real design package for an example yard. For $29.99, you get the same for your own yard.
All 3 concepts in this package. Tap one to see its full plan.
Calm and foliage-first: fewer kinds of plants in bold, flowing sweeps of grasses and evergreens, in greens and silvers with white accents.
🌿 Plant list
- Apache Plume Fallugia paradoxa ↻ Can't find it? Ask for Creosote Bush (Larrea tridentata) or Bush Germander (Teucrium fruticans). ×3
- Blue Rug Juniper Juniperus horizontalis 'Wiltonii' ↻ Can't find it? Ask for Buffalograss (Bouteloua dactyloides) or Sedum 'Dragon's Blood' (Sedum spurium 'Dragon's Blood'). ×5
- Giant Feather Grass Stipa gigantea ↻ Can't find it? Ask for Big Bluestem (Andropogon gerardii) or Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum). ×5
- Idaho Fescue Festuca idahoensis ↻ Can't find it? Ask for Prairie June Grass (Koeleria macrantha) or Indian Ricegrass (Achnatherum hymenoides). ×5
- Ruby Muhly 'Undaunted' Muhlenbergia reverchonii 'Undaunted' ↻ Can't find it? Ask for Sideoats Grama (Bouteloua curtipendula) or Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium). ×5
💧 Care list
Watering and feeding for each plant. With your own design you also get weekly care emails and a Companion to ask questions.
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Apache Plume
For the first growing season, water Apache Plume deeply about every 5–7 days during dry weather, allowing the soil to dry between soakings. Once established, water only during prolonged drought, roughly every 3–4 weeks in hot, rainless weather; skip watering when the root zone is still moist. This desert shrub rarely needs fertilizer, so omit routine feeding.
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Blue Rug Juniper
Water Blue Rug Juniper deeply every 4–7 days during its first few months, checking that the root ball is beginning to dry before watering again, and gradually lengthen intervals through the first growing season. Once established, water about every 2–3 weeks during extended hot, dry spells rather than giving frequent shallow sprinkles. Fertilizer is usually unnecessary; if growth is weak and soil testing indicates a deficiency, apply a slow-release fertilizer labeled for evergreen shrubs in early spring at the lowest label rate.
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Giant Feather Grass
Water Giant Feather Grass thoroughly about once or twice weekly during its first growing season in dry weather, allowing the upper few inches of soil to dry between waterings. Once established, give a deep soaking every 2–3 weeks during prolonged summer drought, with little or no supplemental water during rainy periods. This low-fertility grass rarely needs fertilizer; avoid routine feeding, which can encourage overly lush, floppy growth.
…and 3 more.
📐 Planting Plan (overhead view)
Every plant in this design on one plan, seen from above. Each circle is one plant; the number tells you which plant it is (see the key below).
- 1 Apache Plume ×3
- 2 Giant Feather Grass ×5
- 3 Ruby Muhly 'Undaunted' ×5
- 4 Idaho Fescue ×5
- 5 Blue Rug Juniper ×5
🌱 Watch It Grow
🛒 Shopping list
Every design comes with a printable shopping list like this one.
🌿 Plants
| Plant | Qty | Size to buy | Rough cost | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apache Plume Fallugia paradoxa ↻ Can't find it? Ask for Creosote Bush (Larrea tridentata) or Bush Germander (Teucrium fruticans). | 3 | 3-gallon pot | $105–$210 $35–$70 each | |
| Blue Rug Juniper Juniperus horizontalis 'Wiltonii' ↻ Can't find it? Ask for Buffalograss (Bouteloua dactyloides) or Sedum 'Dragon's Blood' (Sedum spurium 'Dragon's Blood'). | 5 | 4-inch pot or flat | $30–$60 $6–$12 each | |
| Giant Feather Grass Stipa gigantea ↻ Can't find it? Ask for Big Bluestem (Andropogon gerardii) or Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum). | 5 | 1-gallon pot | $50–$100 $10–$20 each | |
| Idaho Fescue Festuca idahoensis ↻ Can't find it? Ask for Prairie June Grass (Koeleria macrantha) or Indian Ricegrass (Achnatherum hymenoides). | 5 | 1-gallon pot | $50–$100 $10–$20 each | |
| Ruby Muhly 'Undaunted' Muhlenbergia reverchonii 'Undaunted' ↻ Can't find it? Ask for Sideoats Grama (Bouteloua curtipendula) or Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium). | 5 | 1-gallon pot | $50–$100 $10–$20 each | |
| Plants subtotal | $285–$570 | |||
🧰 Supplies
| Item | How much | Rough cost | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mulch: natural brown pine bark A 3-inch layer over about 110 square feet of bed. | 14 bags (2 cubic feet each) | $56–$98 | |
| Compost or garden soil About an inch worked into the beds, plus a scoop in each planting hole. | 10 bags (1 cubic foot each) | $60–$100 | |
| Steel garden edging Along the front of the beds where they meet the lawn. | 40 feet | $120–$240 | |
| Slow-release fertilizer For the spring feeding of the trees and shrubs. | 1 bag | $15–$25 | |
| Supplies subtotal | $251–$463 | ||
Soaker hose (50 feet, $20–$40): Optional, but it makes the first weeks of watering much easier.
Prices are rough US estimates, not quotes. They vary by region, store and season, so expect to pay more at a specialty nursery and less at a big-box store or end-of-season sale. Amounts of mulch, compost and edging are worked out from about 110 square feet of bed; measure your beds to fine-tune them.
Want this for your own yard?
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Every package includes one free redo: if a concept isn't what you hoped for, tell us what to change and we'll design it again. Still not happy? Email support@personalscapesdesign.com within 30 days of your purchase for a full refund.