A beautiful yard doesn’t have to come with a high water bill.
Many homeowners assume that an attractive landscape means using more water, but often the opposite is true. By choosing native and climate-adapted plants, you can create a vibrant, colorful landscape that thrives in Southern Utah while using significantly less water than a traditional lawn.
Plants naturally adapted to our climate have evolved to handle hot summers, dry conditions, and fluctuating weather. Once established, many require less irrigation, are easier to maintain, and provide beauty throughout the seasons.
Water-wise landscapes do more than conserve water, too. Native plants provide food and shelter for pollinators like bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. They improve soil health, reduce runoff, and create landscapes that better reflect the natural beauty of Cedar Valley.
That doesn’t mean giving up green space altogether. The Localscapes approach encourages homeowners to use turf where it serves a purpose, play areas, gathering spaces, while replacing unnecessary grass with water-efficient plants, mulch, pathways, and functional landscape features. By putting the right plant in the right place, you can enjoy a landscape that’s both beautiful and practical.
Small changes make a big difference. Replacing a section of unused lawn, adding mulch around plants, or incorporating drought-tolerant flowers are simple ways to reduce outdoor water use without sacrificing curb appeal.
Choosing climate-adapted plants isn’t just good for your yard, it’s good for our community. Outdoor irrigation is one of the largest uses of water during summer months, and every gallon saved helps protect Cedar Valley’s groundwater for future generations.
With thoughtful planning, your landscape can be colorful, inviting, and water-wise.
Sometimes the best way to conserve water is to let nature show us how.
Three Local Favorites
Not sure where to start? These native and climate-adapted plants are well-suited to Iron County yards:
| Cliffrose Purshia stansburiana View on USU Extension → | Utah Serviceberry Amelanchier utahensis View on USU Extension → | Firecracker Penstemon Penstemon eatonii View on USU Extension → |
| 💧 Did You Know? Outdoor watering is often the largest use of water at home during the summer. Choosing native and climate-adapted plants can significantly reduce irrigation needs while creating a landscape that’s beautiful, resilient, and better suited to Southern Utah. |
Learn More
Interested in creating a water-wise landscape? Join one of Cedar Valley Water Conservancy’s FREE Localscapes classes to learn practical landscaping techniques, irrigation tips, and plant recommendations designed for Southern Utah. Visit Water Wise Landscaping to explore landscaping ideas, use the interactive plant selector tool, access the weekly lawn watering guide, learn about the Localscapes program, and connect with local water conservation experts right here in Cedar Valley.
Sources
- cedarvalleywaterutah.gov — learn more about upcoming classes and landscaping resources.
- Cedar Valley Water Conservancy – Localscapes Program
- Utah State University Extension – Range Plants of Utah — plant profiles for Cliffrose and Utah Serviceberry.
- Utah State University Extension – Books and Field Guides — additional plant identification resources.
- Utah Division of Water Resources – Localscapes Program
- Slow the Flow – Water-Wise Landscaping Resources
We’re all in this together, and we’re here to help — reach out anytime you have questions about making your landscape more water-wise.
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The purpose of our Get To Know Your H2O series is to educate our community on all things water. Cedar Valley Water Conservancy (CVWC) is actively engaged in education, conservation, reuse and import projects to meet the growing demands on local water supply.
For every effort you make to conserve, you are doing your part, too. To Get to Know Your H2O, visit https://cedarvalleywaterutah.gov.