The Annual Tucson Xeriscape Contest is designed to recognize and showcase homeowners who have implemented Xeriscape principles and used native plants in their landscapes. The Xeriscape Contest partners would like to increase awareness of innovations in landscaping and water-use efficiency (there is a separate category for entries professionally designed and installed).

This year, the Residential Homeowner category includes community projects that use students, teachers, volunteers, or parents to design and install landscape projects that are accomplished without a professional landscape designer or contractor. This includes schools, community gardens, and public spaces, such as medians or mini-parks. Entrants in this category will receive a group admission to one of the following locations: Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, Tohono Chul Park, or Tucson Botanical Gardens. Please indicate on your entry form which location you would like to visit and the number of passes you would like for the participants of your project (maximum of 25).

Landscapes must have been substantially designed, installed and maintained by a homeowner. These may include single-family, condominium, town house, or manufactured home residences. Landscapes must be at least two years old, or have a mature look. Judges will consider all elements of water efficient Xeriscape design.

Residential Homeowner entrants will receive a subscription to the Tucson Lifestyle Home and Garden magazine.

Xeriscape Guidelines for Residential Homeowner or School Entries:

• Water conserving design with all turf, water intensive plants, pools and water features located in the Oasis zone.
• Plant selection including Sonoran and/or Chihuahuan desert native plants as part of the total of low-water, drought tolerant and non-invasive plants
• All plants should be zoned by water use and irrigated accordingly, preferably with trees on a separate valve from shrubs and groundcovers and low-water-use trees on a separate valve from high-water-use trees
• Irrigation must be efficient and based on plant types, soil types, seasonal water requirements, microclimates and other unique site conditions
• Incorporation of rainwater harvesting and/or gray water reuse for irrigation
• Use of mulch and/or soil improvement to retain moisture and reduce evaporation
• Demonstration of proper maintenance practices

Professionals

Eligibility: Any Xeriscape landscape in the greater Tucson area installed a minimum of 2 years, or has attained a mature look by using salvaged plants or larger nursery stock.

Xeriscape Guidelines for Professional Entries:

The following guidelines, based on the seven principles of Xeriscape, provide the criteria for judging the entered landscape in the 2011 Xeriscape Contest.

• Water conserving design with an Oasis no more than 30% of total area landscaped (oasis includes surface areas of water features e.g. pools, fountains, ponds, etc)
• Turf, other water intensive plants, pools and water features should be located in the oasis zone
• Plant selection should include a minimum of 25% Sonoran and/or Chihuahuan desert plants as total of low-water, drought tolerant and non-invasive plants
• All plants should be zoned by water use and irrigated accordingly (e.g., trees on a separate valve from shrubs and groundcovers; low-water-use trees on a separate valve from high-water-use trees, etc.)
• Irrigation must be efficient and based on plant water use requirements, seasonal water needs, soil type, microclimates and other unique site conditions
• Incorporation of rainwater and/or gray water harvesting
• Use of mulch and/or soil improvements to retain moisture and reduce evaporation
• Demonstration of proper maintenance schedules and practices

Special Awards:

The J.D. Di Meglio Artistry In Landscaping Award celebrates the unique beauty of desert landscaping. J.D. DiMeglio (1960—2001) made a lasting contribution to the community by sharing his his knowledge of plants, irrigation and design with a contagious smile and incredible enthusiasm. He inspired everyone he met to embrace the beauty of the Sonoran Desert, and to appreciate the natural artistry in the native landscape. His company, "Horizons West Landscaping", specialized in mixing native and traditional plants, and he left Tucson with a living legacy through his many private gardens and public landscapes.

The "J.D. Di Meglio Artistry in Landscaping Award" honors J.D.'s memory, and is given at the Judges discretion and may be given to either a Homeowner or Professional entry.

Community Xeriscape Leaders

In addition to the Homeowner and Professional categories, the Xeriscape Contest has an award that recognizes individuals and organizations for their contributions to the community, and a special award for landscape artistry.

The Community Xeriscape Leader Award recognizes an individual or organization that has been a driving force in promoting Xeriscape principles and/or the use of native and arid-adapted plants.

• Do you know someone who is an advocate for the use of Xeriscaping principles?
• Is there an organization or person you would like to honor for their dedication and diligence to promotion of native and arid-adapted plants?
• Do you know someone who has made a significant difference to the Tucson community by promoting water harvesting or irrigation efficiency?