How much does it cost to xeriscape in Colorado?

The cost of xeriscaping a front yard or a backyard in Colorado varies depending on several factors such as the size of your yard, plant quantities and sizes, irrigation system, hardscaping features, and any demolition or removal needed. As a general guideline, a small backyard or front yard of around 400 sq. ft. starts at $12k, while a full landscape (front and backyard xeriscaping) complete with a patio can go as high as $60k. Based on what you want to accomplish, we’ll help you create a plan for your xeriscape backyard and make sure you get the most out of your budget.

Is xeriscaping cheaper than grass?

Grass lawns require frequent mowing, fertilization, and irrigation, which can be time-consuming and expensive. In contrast, a xeriscape project typically requires less maintenance, with minimal watering requirements once it is established. In the long run, xeriscaping is generally more cost-effective than maintaining a grass lawn, primarily due to the reduced water usage and lower maintenance requirements. While a xeriscape project may cost more upfront than a grass lawn, the savings in water bills and maintenance costs over time will more than offset the initial investment.

How often should I water xeriscape?

For the first year after planting, xeriscape gardens typically require more frequent watering to establish a robust root system for the plants. During the hot summer months, it is recommended to water the plants twice a week, while in the cooler months, watering once a week is usually sufficient. Once the plants are established, they require less water and can generally survive on natural rainfall alone. The frequency and duration of watering can also be adjusted based on the type of plants, soil type, and weather conditions.

Can I xeriscape myself?

Xeriscaping involves careful planning, design, and maintenance, and requires knowledge of native plant species, irrigation systems, soil improvement techniques, and other factors. If you are not familiar with xeriscaping principles and techniques, it is advisable to work with a professional. Jonathan Colton, owner of Land Design By Colton, has over 10 years of experience in water-efficient landscape design and a degree in Landscape Architecture from Mississippi State University, so you can rest assured that your landscape is in the best hands possible. Just sit back and relax while we bring your outdoor space to life.

How fast can you complete a xeriscaping project?

The timeline for completing a xeriscape project can vary depending on the scope and scale of the project. At Land Designs By Colton, we can typically finish most xeriscaping projects within 3 to 5 days.

How many xeriscaping projects have you completed?

We have completed over 30 backyard xeriscaping, front yard xeriscaping, and full-landscape xeriscaping projects in Denver, Englewood, Arvada, and beyond.

Xeriscape Design in Denver Metro | Land Designs by Colton

Xeriscape Design for Denver Metro

Colorado’s Front Range receives modest annual rainfall, and Denver Metro summers put meaningful demand on any planted landscape.

Water-use guidelines from local municipalities have tightened over the years. What a well-designed property in this market needs is a landscape that responds to all of that without looking like a concession.

That’s what xeriscape design delivers when it’s treated as a design discipline rather than a workaround.

The result is a yard with genuine curb appeal, layered texture, year-round visual interest, and a composition that performs in Colorado’s climate because it was designed specifically for it.

Land Designs by Colton serves homeowners throughout Denver, Wheat Ridge, Arvada, Lakewood, Golden, and the broader metro area. Every project starts with the site and the client, and ends with a landscape worth enjoying for years.

Key benefits:

Xeriscape Is a Design Discipline, Not Grass Removal

The idea that xeriscape means stripping a yard down to gravel and a few cacti is one of the more persistent misconceptions in residential landscaping.

Denver Metro soil conditions vary across neighborhoods, with heavy clay common along the Front Range, and those conditions shape how we plan drainage, soil amendment, and plant groupings.

Real xeriscape design is a structured, creative, and technical process. It starts with hydrozoning, a site-mapping technique that divides your yard into areas based on sun exposure, slope, drainage, and microclimate.

A thoughtfully designed xeriscape landscape in Denver Metro is often the best-looking property on its street, and that’s before you consider how it performs over time.

Check Out Our Front Yard And Backyard Projects

FAQ

How long does a xeriscape take to establish in Colorado's climate?

Most plantings look strong through their first growing season and become largely self-sufficient by the second. The establishment period covers the first spring and summer after installation, when root systems develop to the depth that makes plants genuinely drought-tolerant.

What separates professional xeriscape design from a general landscaping job?

A professional xeriscape project starts with site analysis. We map sun exposure, soil conditions, slope, and drainage before making any design decisions.

Hydrozoning structures the entire design; plant communities are selected for compatibility and performance, and the hardscape is integrated from the beginning. The difference a properly designed xeriscape is often noticeable at first glance.

What does a premium xeriscape look like in Denver Metro?

It has structure and year-round interest. That means layered planting, clean transitions between planted zones and hardscape, and a plant palette that works with the home’s architecture and the neighborhood’s character.

How does a landscape architecture degree affect a xeriscape project?

Landscape architecture training covers site analysis, spatial composition, ecological design, and the design process as a discipline, in a way that horticultural training alone doesn’t.

Jonathan Colton’s degree from Mississippi State University’s landscape architecture program means every project here begins from a design intelligence foundation. The difference shows in how a finished yard reads as a unified composition rather than a collection of individual choices.

A Recent Xeriscaping Project in Denver Metro

Denver’s Berkeley neighborhood gets hot, dry summers. A Perry Street homeowner had spent years trying to keep their 600 sq. ft. traditional lawn alive, and they’ve had enough.

So we came in with a different approach. We call it the Boutique Lawn.

In just five days, we scaled the grass down to a compact, intentional patch and built a full landscape around it, layering drought-tolerant perennials, ornamental grasses, flowering shrubs, shade trees, and a dry creek bed that handles stormwater runoff while adding movement and character to the yard.

Total cost: $30,000.

Before After

Xeriscape Front Yard in City Park, Denver

This 400 sq. ft. xeric landscape project included:

The project was quoted at $12k, where the plant material alone was $5k.

Before After

Full Landscape Front Yard Xeriscape And Backyard Xeriscape With Patio in South Hill, Denver

This xeriscape project included:

This full landscape xeric project was quoted at $60k, where the rock and plant material alone was $15k.

Before After

Xeriscape Backyard In Denver

This 1600 sq. ft. xeriscape backyard project included:

The xeriscaping backyard was quoted at $30k, where the plant material and irrigation alone was $10k.

Xeriscape by Space

Front Yard Xeriscape

A well-designed front-yard xeriscape is one of the most visible investments a Denver Metro homeowner can make.

It’s what buyers notice, appraisers factor in, and neighbors comment on. Done well, it signals a property that’s been thoughtfully maintained and intentionally improved.

We approach front-yard xeriscaping with curb appeal as a core design goal: structured planting beds with clear edges, a palette that reads well from the street in every season, and hardscape elements that connect to the home rather than sit in front of it.

Backyard Xeriscape

A backyard xeriscape gives you a usable, comfortable outdoor space that holds up through a Colorado summer without irrigation overhead.

We integrate planted zones with outdoor kitchens, deck structures, and shade features so the yard functions as a full living environment.

The plantings and the hardscape read as a single design, not as separate decisions.

Xeriscape Plants for Colorado

Colorado’s climate supports a genuinely diverse plant palette once you move past turf-centric thinking.

Ornamental grasses, native flowering perennials, drought-adapted shrubs, and structural specimens all bring something to a well-designed, water-efficient xeriscape.

Our selections are informed by Front Range growing conditions, soil realities, and the proven plant palette that thrives in Denver Metro. We draw on resources from the Denver Botanic Gardens alongside our own installation experience across hundreds of Colorado projects.

For a detailed look at the plants we work with, visit our xeriscape plants page.

Xeriscape vs Zeroscape

These terms are often used interchangeably, but they mean very different things.
Most homeowners who think they want a zeroscape are describing something that falls much closer to a well-designed xeriscape.

We cover the full distinction on our xeriscape vs zeroscape page.

Xeriscape is a design approach that uses drought-tolerant plants, hydrozoning, and efficient irrigation to create a living, layered landscape.

Zeroscape replaces planted material almost entirely with non-living surface cover.

How We Design Water-Wise Landscapes

We manage every detail of your xeriscape, soil prep, plant selection, hardscaping, and final cleanup, so you can stay out of the mud and still love what you end up with.

1. Collaborate

We listen to your goals, assess your space, and put together a design.

2. Build

Our certified team handles the full installation with care, precision, and respect.

3. Enjoy

You walk outside to a low-maintenance yard that holds up year-round.

Xeriscape Design for Denver Metro

We design and install xeriscape landscapes across the Denver Metro, including neighborhoods and suburbs where soil conditions, lot configurations, and architectural context each shape what a project requires.

All Neighborhoods:

ZIP Codes We Serve

A Personal Approach To Your XERIscaping Project

Learn Why Homeowners Like Yourself Recommend Us

Ryan Sharif

Rated 5 out of 5

I chose Land Designs by Colton for a xeriscaping project in my front yard. Jonathan came out within a couple days of my initial request and was very helpful in determining the design and materials that would complement each other.

I didn’t have a lot to offer in way of inspiration, but thankfully Jonathan put together a plan that looked great and fell within my budget. Within two weeks the project was underway, and approximately 900 sq ft was transformed in under three days (including irrigation) and with no unexpected costs.

Jonathan and his crew were polite, on time, efficient, and left everything in perfect state. I would not hesitate to use Land Designs by Colton for any future projects. Thank you!

L

Liz Nguyen

Rated 5 out of 5

I had a fantastic experience working with Land Designs by Colton! From the very beginning, they were incredibly patient, especially as we navigated multiple iterations with my HOA to secure approval for a xeriscape landscape design. Throughout the project, they were flexible and accommodating with several change requests, making the entire process feel collaborative and stress-free.

Flavia was especially wonderful — always responsive, thoughtful, and quick to answer any questions I had. The work was completed much faster than I expected and with impressive efficiency. The final design is absolutely beautiful, with a perfect sense of symmetry and flow that really elevated the look of my home. I

can’t wait for the plants to grow in and transform the space into a true showcase front yard. I highly recommend Land Designs by Colton for anyone looking for outstanding landscape design and service!

Talk to a Xeriscape Professional About Water-Wise Design

If you have a property that deserves a better landscape response to Colorado’s climate, we’d like to hear about it. Call us at (720) 580-3677 or reach out through our contact page, and we’ll talk through what your site calls for before any commitments are made.

Still not sure if we’re the right fit? Read how we stack up against other xeriscape design companies in the Denver Metro.

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Denver Metro sits at the base of the Rocky Mountains, a region known for outdoor living, 300 days of sunshine, and a landscape that rewards smart planning. The iconic Red Rocks Park & Amphitheater draws visitors from across the country, and the world-class Denver Botanic Gardens showcases just how beautiful Colorado plant life can be. Xeriscape design in Denver Metro, CO, fits right into that spirit.