Front Yard Desert Landscaping Ideas on A Budget

Living in a region where the climate is like a dessert can make maintaining a garden challenge. The extreme conditions do not favor most plants and make it hard to keep a healthy lawn. However, these conditions don’t have to be a barrier. Instead, they can offer you a unique backdrop to create original landscapes. Keep reading to get some inspiration about front yard desert landscaping ideas on a budget.

Despite what you may be thinking, you don’t have to break a bank to create a stunning landscape in your property. Budget is hard to define: it is a relatively subjective term. But regardless of your economic situation, it is always a good idea to save some money. The good news is that you can create an inexpensive desert landscape without it looking dull or unattractive.

Here, you’ll find some of our best selection of plants and tips to help you make an attractive yard without spending too much money on it. Put our recommendations into practice to revamp your yard and make it more aesthetically appealing!

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Add Drought Tolerant Plants and Succulents

One of the best ways to give your front yard some life is to add plants that do well in desert-like conditions. Succulents and small cacti will thrive even under drought situations and can add a splash of color and an appealing texture to your garden. To keep expenses low, buy small cacti and care for them to get bigger plants over the years.

With succulents and other drought-tolerant plants, you won’t have to worry too much about taking care of them. But don’t forget that drought-tolerant doesn’t mean “no maintenance”: you will still have to ensure you meet your plants’ requirements for them to thrive.

Here is a list of some plants you may want to add to your desert garden to make it more colorful and attractive.

Desert Willow Tree

Your desert landscape doesn’t have to be dull! If you like colors, you can consider planting a desert willow tree. If you don’t have much space, don’t worry: these plants do not grow more than 20 feet tall. Besides providing you with stunning white, pink, and purple flowers, this tree also emits an appealing fragrance that will attract birds and other pollinators to your garden.

Desert Marigold

If you prefer brighter colors, look no further than desert marigold. This plant needs almost no care to thrive and will bring you stunning yellow flowers between March and November. It can make for a perfect flower bed and cover your landscape with color and flowers.

Fairy Castle Cactus

If you like succulents but prefer adding unique shapes to your garden, you must think about planting a Fairy Castle Cactus (Acanthocereus tetragonus). Despite the complex looks, this plant doesn’t require much care. All it needs is full sun during the day. Place it somewhere it can receive enough sunlight, and you won’t have to worry about anything else.

Desert Lily

This “front yard desert landscaping ideas on a budget” would not be complete without Desert Lily. This plant has nothing to do with the traditional lily we all know, but it produces similar white flowers that look delicate and elegant. The plant is native to Mexico and the desert regions of the Southern United States: it will thrive in your desert landscape.

Queen Victoria Agave

Planting agave in your front yard is a great way to add some green. These plants usually tolerate any soil as long as you keep it well-draining. The Queen Victoria variety has prism-shaped leaves with small stunning rosettes. It is easy to grow and low-maintenance. However, it will make a difference in the looks of your garden.

Lantana

Lantana is a typical desert flowering plant native to Central and South America. You can also find them in Australia or Africa. As you can expect, these plants have a high tolerance to warmth and drought. They look stunning in any setting and produce bright red, purple, yellow, or white flowers that will attract plenty of bees and butterflies to your garden.

Aloe Plicatilis

Another type of aloe that can add some color to your front yard is alow Picatilis, also known as “fan aloe.” This succulent grows up to eight inches and creates many branches from which fan-shaped leaves grow. The plant also produces red flowers in the spring.

Desert Sage

Desert Sage is a wildflower that produces colorful blooms that stand out in your garden. They need almost no attention: these plants maintain their shape without pruning and will give your bright purple and blue flowers with dense foliage.

Anacampseros Telephiastrum Variegate Sunrise

Despite the complicated name, this type of Anacampseros is a delicate-looking succulent that will grow almost anywhere: if you have rocky soils, add this plant to create a splash of color in your garden. It makes for an excellent filler and is easy to grow and propagate.

Old Man Cactus

This type of cactus can add a unique texture to your desert landscape. When its spines grow longer, they start looking like hairs. With proper care, this plant can live for centuries. Locate it under full sun, and don’t forget to water it once in a while.

Arrange Decorative Stones in Patterns

The art of xeriscape is about using stones and pebbles as backdrops to your landscape. It is a relatively low-budget solution that can make your garden look more summery. Add some cacti and combine some of the plants we included in our above list for a more dramatic and appealing effect. You can play with shapes, textures, and colors to add depth and character to your yard. However, you may want to ask for professional help to ensure you make the most out of it.