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Xeriscape & Desert Landscaping

Beautiful Yards that Don’t Need Water.

Drought-tolerant xeriscape design built for Utah's climate. Replace your lawn with low-water plants, decorative boulders, and dry creek beds that look great year-round with minimal maintenance.

Xeriscape Design & Installation

Utah is a desert. Your yard can look like it belongs here.

Maintaining a traditional lawn in Utah means fighting the climate. Xeriscape works with it. Native and adapted plants, rock mulch, and efficient drip irrigation create a yard that's beautiful, low-maintenance, and dramatically lower on water use — without looking like a gravel parking lot.

We design xeriscapes that actually look intentional and attractive. Layered planting, decorative boulders, dry creek beds, and structural plants that look great in every season — not just "dead lawn replacement."

What a xeriscape project includes.

  • Drought-tolerant planting — ornamental grasses, sedums, lavender, sage, agave, and Utah native species
  • Decorative boulders — naturally sourced Utah sandstone and fieldstone as focal points
  • Dry creek beds — decorative gravel channels that also manage runoff
  • Rock mulch & decomposed granite — replaces grass and suppresses weeds
  • Drip irrigation — targeted low-volume watering for established plants
  • Lawn conversion — demo existing turf and transition to xeriscape design
Our Process

How We Design and Build a Xeriscape

01

Site assessment & sun mapping

We evaluate sun exposure, soil type, slope, and existing irrigation to design a plan that works with your specific site conditions.

02

Design & plant selection

We create a layout with zones by water need — keeping low-water plants grouped together. Plant species selected for year-round interest.

03

Lawn demo & soil prep

Existing turf removed by sod cutter. Soil amendment added where needed. No more lawn — no more mowing.

04

Hardscape & boulders

Boulders, dry creek beds, edging, and decomposed granite placed before plants go in. Hardscape sets the design structure.

05

Planting & mulch

Plants installed at proper spacing for mature size. Rock or organic mulch applied 3–4 inches deep to retain moisture and suppress weeds.

06

Drip irrigation install

Drip emitters placed at each plant's root zone. Efficient, targeted watering — no water wasted on rocks or paths.

Why Mountain View

Xeriscape that actually looks designed

Up to 70% less water

A well-designed xeriscape uses a fraction of the water of a traditional lawn. Real savings on your water bill every month.

Built for Utah's climate

We use plants that are adapted to Utah's high desert conditions — hot summers, cold winters, and alkaline soil.

Designed to look beautiful

We don't do "just gravel and a cactus." Layered color, texture, and seasonal interest are built into the plant selection.

Low maintenance after establishment

Once established (first season), drought-tolerant plants need minimal care. No weekly mowing, no fertilizing, no aeration.

Rebate eligible

Many Utah water districts offer lawn conversion rebates. We can advise on qualifying requirements so you get credit for the investment.

Integrated hardscape

Boulders, edging, dry creek beds, and decorative gravel are designed as part of the landscape — not dropped in randomly.

Common Questions

Xeriscape FAQs

Does xeriscape really look good, or just bare?
When designed well, xeriscape looks intentional, layered, and beautiful year-round. The difference between a great xeriscape and a bad one is design quality — plant selection, boulder placement, and variety of texture and color. We build xeriscapes we'd put in our own yards.
How much does xeriscape installation cost in Utah?
A front yard lawn conversion typically runs $4,000–$12,000 depending on square footage, number of boulders, plant density, and irrigation scope. It pays back quickly in water savings. We provide written estimates after a site visit.
Will I qualify for a water rebate?
Many Utah water providers offer lawn conversion rebates — Jordan Valley Water, Salt Lake City, and others. Rebate amounts and requirements vary by provider. We can advise on what your project needs to qualify before we start.
Do I need to water a xeriscape at all?
During the establishment period (first 1–2 growing seasons), yes. Once established, most drought-tolerant plants only need supplemental watering during extreme heat or drought. A drip system on a minimal schedule handles this efficiently.
What plants do you use for Utah xeriscapes?
Common choices include: ornamental grasses (blue fescue, Karl Foerster), lavender, Russian sage, penstemon, agave, sedum, yucca, native wildflowers, and drought-tolerant shrubs like rabbitbrush and Apache plume. We select based on your sun exposure and personal style.
Can I keep some grass and xeriscape other areas?
Absolutely. Many homeowners convert their front yard to xeriscape while keeping a backyard lawn. We design the transition to look intentional rather than patchwork.
Related Services

Complete Your Low-Water Yard

Full Backyard Transformations

End-to-end outdoor renovations — hardscape, turf, pools, lighting, and planting design as one cohesive build.

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Custom Paver Patios

Premium paver patios, walkways, and outdoor living areas using high-quality materials engineered to last.

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Retaining Walls

Engineered retaining walls for structure, drainage, and elevation — built to handle Utah’s freeze/thaw cycle.

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Concrete Installation

Driveways, patios, walkways, slabs, and steps. Clean modern finishes with proper expansion control.

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Artificial Turf Installation

Premium turf installed on a proper drainage base. Pet-friendly, low-maintenance, and UV-stabilized for Utah summers.

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Sprinkler Systems & Irrigation

Smart-controller-ready zoned irrigation for efficient watering. Drip lines for planting beds and trees.

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Outdoor Lighting

Low-voltage LED systems integrated during the build. Premium fixtures, sealed connections, smart-controller ready.

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Fencing Installation

Vinyl fencing, gates, and modern privacy walls installed straight and square with freeze-line footings.

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Landscape Design (2D & 3D)

Professional renderings before a single shovel hits the ground. See your finished backyard before we build it.

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Swimming Pools

Custom pools integrated into full backyard builds. Pool, surround, fence, and lighting in one seamless project.

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Outdoor Kitchens

Custom built-in BBQ islands, countertops, and outdoor cooking stations that make your backyard the destination.

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Fire Pits & Fireplaces

Custom gas and wood-burning fire features that extend your outdoor season and anchor your backyard design.

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Pergolas & Shade Structures

Custom wood and aluminum pergolas and covered patio structures built to Utah weather standards.

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Lawn Care & Maintenance

Seasonal maintenance programs that keep your investment looking sharp year-round.

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Garden Design

Planting beds, raised gardens, and ornamental garden layouts designed for Utah’s soil and growing season.

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Xeriscape & Desert Landscaping

Drought-tolerant design with native plants, boulders, and rock mulch for yards that use a fraction of the water.

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Outdoor Steps

Natural stone, paver, and concrete step systems that connect yard levels with clean, safe, lasting construction.

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Stone Masonry

Dry-stacked walls, stone veneer, pillars, and natural stone features built to last generations.

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Water Features

Custom fountains, pondless waterfalls, and bubbling boulders that add movement and sound to your outdoor space.

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Drainage Solutions

French drains, dry creek beds, and swales that redirect water away from your home’s foundation and yard.

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Sod Installation

Professional sod installation with proper soil prep, grading, and watering setup for a lawn that actually roots.

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Sport Courts

Basketball, tennis, and multi-sport courts with acrylic surfaces, regulation lines, and perimeter fencing.

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Lawn Maintenance

Professional mowing, edging, fertilization, and weed control on a reliable weekly or biweekly schedule.

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Tree Removal

Safe removal of hazardous, dead, or unwanted trees with complete cleanup and stump grinding available.

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Where We Install Xeriscape

Serving All of Utah's Wasatch Front

Ready to Convert?

Let’s Design Your Xeriscape.

Free, on-site estimates. We’ll show you what your yard can look like with the right low-water design.

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