water-wise

As water resources become more and more precious, xeriscaping is regaining popularity in many parts of the country, says landscape designer Rick Laughlin of Salt Lake City. In fact, his practice is increasingly about water-wise plantings and finding ways to create unique, beautiful and ecologically friendly landscapes arrayed with drought-tolerant plants.

On the Dry Side

With greater force than ever before, water conservation is back on the minds of governments, landscape professionals and property owners these days - and for good reason: The combination of growing demand and recurring periods of drought has sensitized people in many parts of the country to the fact that water isn't an infinite resource. Even this new magazine is part of the dialogue: In the September/October 2006 issue of LandShapes, James Minnich defined the need for landshapers to become more