Desert landscapes are a sight to behold with their unique color schemes and local flora decorating the harsh terrain.

Despite the unforgiving climate, it is possible for desert dwellers to create stunning gardens by incorporating aspects of the desert itself into their design. These ideas should help you get started on creating your own desert-themed garden:

Desert Color Palettes

Deserts offer an intriguing color scheme ranging from sandy tones and earthy colors to cool blues and muted grays. Style the garden to blend in with the sun-bleached wood, gray-green plants, and vivid hues of the sunrise and sunset.  You can also add bright touches of red or yellow to capture the eye.

Cacti and Succulents

These plants are able to withstand the desert climate and therefore do not require much attention with regard to their upkeep.

You can add backdrops to highlight their succulent stems and sculpture forms. Some varieties produce flowers that will add vibrancy to the garden.

Hardscapes

Incorporate the desert’s rocky terrain into your garden using adobe mud walls or gravel walkways.

If you’re going for a more contemporary look, combine modern and traditional materials like poured concrete, dry stacked stone, and steel.

Creek Beds

These are built to resemble river beds but use pebbles and rocks to create the illusion of flowing water. These beds add a calm and soothing effect to the garden. They are also very helpful in managing stormwater runoff.

Water Features

Water features like ponds, artificial waterfalls, and fountains are a great way to create a cooling effect in a hot desert landscape.

Although beautiful, they require a lot of upkeep and investment in chemicals to keep them free of algae. The water may also need constant replenishing since evaporation occurs rapidly.

Shade Screens and Pergolas

These are a great way of providing shade to the garden. Incorporating screens made of sturdy outdoor fabric or wooden pergolas will help protect you from the unrelenting desert sun.

Patio umbrellas are also a good alternative. Make sure they are tightly secured as they may be blown away by strong winds. Decorate your pergola with drought-resistant vines like the crossvine or pink trumpet vine.

Fire Pits and Features

Fire pits are a great way to warm yourself up when temperatures drop during the night. They also provide a safe cooking site when entertaining guests.

Fire pits are more permanent and expensive to invest in than portable fire dishes. There are models that use propane, wood, or kerosene.  Be sure to choose a fire feature with a fuel that is readily available in your area.

Accent Walls

These are brightly colored, free-standing walls that are meant to break the monotony and draw the eye. These walls can serve as backdrops for plants or screens for privacy.

Artificial Grass

Ordinary lawns are difficult to take care of in desert landscapes due to their need for a large amount of water. To overcome this, use artificial turf to give the illusion of a lush green yard.