With an extensive background as a florist and gardener, Mary Catesby Halsey leads MCH Floral Studio in Manhattan. Mary Catesby Halsey’s areas of focus include environmentally beneficial landscapes and drought-tolerant xeriscapes.
While many people associate xeriscape techniques with plants such as cacti that can live with no water for extended periods, xeriscape landscaping is highly dependent on geography and climate. In areas with good soil and abundant water, several shrubs, grasses, and flowering plants can be incorporated into xeriscapes. One general rule is that xeriscapes emphasize native plants that have developed to live in the climate.
One example of a xeriscape that works well throughout the northern United States is three loose perennial rows planted up to a fence or wall. To avoid overshadowing the plants in front, the back row has the tallest plants. The middle row features several drought-resistant perennials of medium height. In the front row, short plants can be incorporated as well as clumps of drought-resistant ornamental grasses. This presents a varied landscape that does not require a great deal of water.
Mary Catesby Halsey 