Xeriscaping in Eastern Washington: Drought-Tolerant Landscaping for Spokane & Tri-Cities
Xeriscaping in Eastern Washington: Drought-Tolerant Landscaping for Spokane & Tri-Cities
Creating beautiful, water-wise landscapes that thrive in Eastern Washington's semi-arid climate
Why Xeriscaping Makes Sense in Eastern Washington
Eastern Washington is a different world from Seattle. Spokane receives just 16 inches of annual precipitation; the Tri-Cities (Kennewick, Richland, Pasco) get only 6-8 inches. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 90°F, and water costs continue to rise.
Traditional Kentucky bluegrass lawns in this climate require 40-60 inches of irrigation annually—water that's increasingly expensive and sometimes restricted during droughts.
Xeriscaping isn't about gravel and cacti (though those can work). It's about designing landscapes that match our climate: beautiful, low-maintenance, and using water wisely.
What Is Xeriscaping?
Xeriscaping follows seven principles:
- Planning and design – Zoning plants by water needs
- Soil improvement – Increasing water retention
- Appropriate plant selection – Plants that thrive with less water
- Practical turf areas – Lawn only where it's used
- Efficient irrigation – Drip and smart controllers
- Mulching – Reducing evaporation
- Proper maintenance – Lower inputs, not no inputs
The goal: landscapes that look great with 50-75% less water than traditional approaches.
Xeriscaping Costs in Eastern Washington (2024)
Conversion Costs (Lawn to Xeriscape)
| Project Scope | Cost Range | What's Included |
|---|---|---|
| Small area (under 500 sq ft) | $2,000–$5,000 | Lawn removal, soil prep, plants, mulch |
| Medium yard (500–1,500 sq ft) | $4,000–$12,000 | Design, removal, planting, drip irrigation |
| Large conversion (1,500–3,000 sq ft) | $10,000–$25,000 | Full design, hardscape elements, irrigation |
| Complete property | $20,000–$50,000+ | Professional design, multiple zones, features |
Cost Per Square Foot (Installed)
| Approach | Cost/sq ft | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Basic (gravel + sparse plants) | $3–$6 | Minimal planting, rock mulch |
| Standard (designed planting) | $6–$12 | Mixed plantings, drip irrigation, mulch |
| Premium (hardscape + design) | $12–$25 | Patios, boulders, specimen plants |
| High-end (full landscape) | $20–$40+ | Outdoor living spaces, water features |
Component Costs
| Item | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Professional design | $500–$2,500 | Worth it for cohesive results |
| Lawn removal (sod cutter) | $0.50–$1.50/sq ft | Or $1,500–$4,000 for full removal |
| Soil amendment | $0.50–$1.00/sq ft | Critical for water retention |
| Drip irrigation (new) | $1.00–$2.50/sq ft | Essential for establishment |
| Plants (installed) | $8–$25 each (1 gal) | Varies by species |
| Mulch (installed) | $0.25–$0.75/sq ft | Organic vs. rock |
| Decorative rock/gravel | $3–$8/sq ft | Depends on type |
Best Plants for Eastern Washington Xeriscaping
Trees
| Tree | Size | Water Needs | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gambel Oak | 15–30' | Very low | Native, fall color |
| Western Hackberry | 30–50' | Low | Heat tolerant, fast growing |
| Austrian Pine | 40–60' | Low | Evergreen, windbreak |
| Honey Locust | 30–50' | Low | Filtered shade, drought tough |
| Rocky Mountain Juniper | 15–40' | Very low | Evergreen, native |
Shrubs
| Shrub | Size | Water Needs | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rabbitbrush | 3–5' | Very low | Native, yellow fall blooms |
| Big Sagebrush | 3–6' | Very low | Native, silver foliage |
| Fernbush | 4–6' | Low | White flowers, airy texture |
| Apache Plume | 4–6' | Low | White flowers, feathery seeds |
| Blue Mist Spirea | 2–4' | Low | Blue flowers, late summer |
| Russian Sage | 3–5' | Low | Purple spires, silver foliage |
| Serviceberry | 6–15' | Low | Spring flowers, fall color, berries |
Perennials
| Plant | Size | Water Needs | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blanket Flower | 12–18" | Very low | Red/yellow blooms, long season |
| Penstemon species | 1–3' | Low | Many colors, native |
| Yarrow | 2–3' | Very low | Many colors, spreads |
| Catmint | 12–18" | Low | Purple spikes, fragrant |
| Sedum (Stonecrop) | 6–24" | Very low | Succulent, many varieties |
| Lavender | 1–2' | Low | Fragrant, purple flowers |
| Agastache (Hyssop) | 2–4' | Low | Tubular flowers, pollinators |
| Echinacea | 2–3' | Low | Purple coneflower, native |
Grasses
| Grass | Size | Water Needs | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Grama | 12–18" | Very low | Native, "eyebrow" seed heads |
| Blue Oat Grass | 2–3' | Low | Blue foliage, clumping |
| Little Bluestem | 2–4' | Low | Native, red fall color |
| Feather Reed Grass | 4–5' | Low-moderate | Vertical accent |
| Switchgrass | 3–6' | Low | Native, fall color |
💡 Pro Tip: Group plants by water needs. High-water plants (if any) go near the house where runoff collects. Low-water plants go at property edges.
Practical Turf Alternatives
Complete lawn removal isn't always the answer. Consider:
Reduced Turf Areas
Keep lawn only where you actually use it:
- Play areas for kids
- Pet areas
- Entertaining/gathering spaces
Convert the rest to low-water plantings.
Alternative Turf Grasses
| Grass | Water Needs | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Buffalograss | Very low | Native, goes dormant in heat |
| Blue Grama Lawn | Very low | Native, low mowing |
| Tall Fescue (improved) | Low-moderate | Better than Kentucky bluegrass |
| Fine Fescue mix | Low-moderate | Shade tolerant |
These alternatives use 30-60% less water than Kentucky bluegrass while maintaining green appearance.
Ground Covers
| Ground Cover | Height | Water Needs | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Creeping Thyme | 2–4" | Very low | Fragrant, walkable |
| Turkish Speedwell | 1–2" | Low | Blue flowers, tough |
| Sedum | 2–6" | Very low | Many varieties |
| Snow-in-Summer | 6–12" | Low | Silver foliage, white flowers |
Irrigation for Xeriscaping
Drip Irrigation Benefits
| Benefit | Impact |
|---|---|
| Water efficiency | 90%+ reaches roots (vs. 50-70% for spray) |
| Reduced disease | Foliage stays dry |
| Less evaporation | Water goes directly to soil |
| Fewer weeds | Only planted areas are watered |
| Lower water bills | 30-60% reduction typical |
Smart Controllers
Essential for Eastern Washington xeriscaping:
| Feature | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Weather-based adjustment | Reduces watering during cool periods |
| Seasonal adjustment | Automatic seasonal scheduling |
| Rain sensor | Skips watering when unnecessary |
| Soil moisture integration | Waters only when needed |
Recommended: Rachio, Hunter Hydrawise, or Rain Bird ESP-TM2 with weather features.
Irrigation Zones by Water Need
Design separate zones for:
- Oasis zone (near house) – Moderate water, highest-use plants
- Transition zone – Low water, drought-adapted plants
- Arid zone – Very low water, true xeric plants
Each zone gets its own valve and schedule.
Drainage Considerations
Even in dry Eastern Washington, drainage matters:
Why Drainage Still Applies
- Snowmelt – Spring runoff can be significant
- Intense summer storms – Rare but heavy
- Irrigation efficiency – Excess water should drain, not pool
- Foundation protection – Water still needs to flow away from structures
Xeriscape Drainage Design
| Element | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Grading (2% slope from house) | Directs water away from foundation |
| Dry creek beds | Handles occasional runoff beautifully |
| Swales | Directs water to infiltration areas |
| Rain garden (xeric version) | Captures and infiltrates |
| Permeable surfaces | Allows infiltration vs. runoff |
Seasonal Timing for Eastern Washington
Best Planting Times
| Activity | Best Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fall planting | September–October | Roots establish before freeze |
| Spring planting | March–May | After last frost |
| Lawn conversion | Fall | Less irrigation needed for establishment |
| Major hardscaping | May–October | Avoiding frozen ground |
Why fall is often best: Plants establish roots through fall and early spring when water requirements are lowest. By summer, they're ready for heat.
First-Year Care
Even drought-tolerant plants need water while establishing:
| Period | Watering Frequency |
|---|---|
| First 2 weeks | Every 2-3 days |
| Weeks 2-4 | Every 4-5 days |
| Months 2-3 | Weekly |
| Months 4-12 | Every 2 weeks |
| Year 2+ | Monthly or natural precipitation |
After establishment (typically 1-2 years), most xeric plants need supplemental water only during extreme heat or drought.
DIY vs. Professional Installation
DIY Works Well For
✅ Small areas (under 500 sq ft) ✅ Simple conversions (lawn to mulch and plants) ✅ Adding to existing xeric landscape ✅ Basic drip irrigation ✅ Mulching and maintenance
Hire a Professional For
✅ Whole-yard conversions ✅ Complex grading or drainage ✅ Integrated hardscape elements ✅ Design expertise (plant selection, layout) ✅ Irrigation system installation ✅ Large-scale lawn removal
Finding Xeriscape Expertise
Not all landscapers understand xeriscaping. Look for:
- Experience with drought-tolerant design
- Knowledge of native and adapted plants
- Drip irrigation expertise
- Understanding of Eastern Washington conditions
- Portfolio showing established xeriscape projects
Questions to Ask Xeriscape Contractors
Before Hiring
- How many xeriscape projects have you completed in our area?
- Can you show me photos of projects 2-3 years after installation?
- What plants do you recommend for our specific conditions?
- How do you handle irrigation design and installation?
- What's your approach to soil preparation?
- How do you zone plants by water needs?
- What kind of mulch do you recommend (rock vs. organic)?
- What's included in your warranty?
- What maintenance will be needed in years 1-3?
- How do you estimate water savings?
Portfolio Questions
- How do these landscapes look in August vs. May?
- What's the maintenance level?
- How have they handled drought years?
Water Savings and Rebates
Typical Water Savings
| Conversion | Water Reduction |
|---|---|
| Full lawn to xeriscape | 50-80% |
| Partial conversion (50% lawn removed) | 30-50% |
| Adding smart controller to existing | 15-30% |
| Converting spray to drip | 20-40% |
Utility Rebates (Check Current Availability)
| Utility | Potential Rebates |
|---|---|
| City of Spokane | Turf replacement programs (varies) |
| Kennewick | Water-wise landscaping incentives |
| Some HOAs | May have restrictions OR incentives |
Check with your local water utility for current rebate programs. Many offer:
- Rebates per square foot of lawn removed
- Smart controller rebates
- Free water audits
Find Xeriscape Contractors in Our Directory
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Related Resources
Last updated: 2024. Prices reflect Eastern Washington market rates. Water savings vary by property. Get multiple quotes for your specific project.