Extension unveils water

NevadaToday

Themed year-round color, this tiny house demonstrates how Las Vegan residents can use water-smart plants to enhance their landscapes. Photo by Lauren McGue.

Themed year-round color, this tiny house demonstrates how Las Vegan residents can use water-smart plants to enhance their landscapes. Photo by Lauren McGue.

Themed year-round color, this tiny house demonstrates how Las Vegan residents can use water-smart plants to enhance their landscapes. Photo by Lauren McGue.

Homeowners looking for ideas on how to landscape their homes that are beautiful and water-smart can find new inspiration at University of Nevada, Reno Extension’s Botanic Gardens. Extension recently added three charming miniature houses to the gardens to showcase how to create attractive landscapes that require only minimal water use.

The new additions, collectively dubbed the Three Landscapes Demonstration, offer three different themes, including year-round color, edible landscapes and xeriscape. The year-round color landscape is designed to have at least one plant in bloom throughout the year. The edible landscape features plants that all have some edible part or derivative, mostly fruit trees and herbs, though it also features tequila agaves. The xeriscape consists mostly of cacti, yuccas and other extreme drought-tolerant plants.

“We wanted to show locals that their yards can include more than just rocks while still being sensitive to the water conservation efforts that our desert climate warrants,” said Lauren McGue, manager of Extension’s Botanic Gardens. “We hope to set a good example for homeowners, landscapers, hobby gardeners, HOA board members, policymakers and more with these landscapes.”

Related Programs

The idea for this demonstration has been a long time in the making. Six years ago, Extension Specialists ML Robinson and Angela O’Callaghan had an idea to create a feature showing the public three distinct approaches to residential landscaping specifically for the southern Nevada climate. In 2021, McGue began designing the landscapes. Once the concepts were finalized, she managed the project from start to finish. Par 3 Landscape Management was hired to install the landscapes. Some plants came from Extension’s plant holding area, with the rest procured by Par 3. Installation began this spring and was completed in June.“It’s great to see this project come to fruition,” Robinson said. “They really provide some insight on what you can do with a landscape while still being water conscious. As the landscapes mature and fill in, I think residents will really be inspired to make some changes to their own yards.”While some of the plants may be switched out in years to come, the themes of each landscape will remain the same. The Three Landscape Demonstration is a permanent installation in the Demonstration and Test Gardens area of the Botanic Gardens, located at the Extension office at 8050 Paradise Road in Las Vegas. The gardens are open 8 a.m. – 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Nevada Center for Excellence in Disability receives $415,000 grant to expand special education resources for educators

Nevada Special Education Technology Assistance Project (NSETAP) aims to improve educational outcomes for K-12 students with disabilities

Lessons focused on wildfire make science relevant to high school students

Extension develops curricula and training programs in wildfire and natural resources management for Nevada high school students

Desert Farming Initiative accepting applications for farm apprenticeship program

University of Nevada, Reno program aims to help bolster local food system and support new growers

Rafter 7 Ram and Ewe Sale returns to Eureka, Nevada

Popular sale features Extension-raised sheep internationally recognized for their fine wool quality

Sagebrushers season 2 ep. 9: Senior Vice Provost Jill Heaton

Visual art and music converge in new Lake Tahoe exhibit

Drones, phones and iPads at Semester at Lake Tahoe

Three University professionals awarded U.S. Fulbright Scholar fellowships for the 2023 to 2024 academic year

Nevada Global Business Program sends undergraduate and graduate students to London, England

Students visit businesses in London and attend classes abroad

Orvis School of Nursing parades proudly at Northern Nevada Pride

Orvis School of Nursing has celebrated Northern Nevada Pride for another year, participating in the parade and festival

Helena Middleton wins Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange fellowship

Middleton is the first University of Nevada, Reno student to win a CBYX fellowship in over 20 years

From education to healthcare: UNR Med's PAs are ready to make a difference

Many recent graduates from the School of Medicine's Physician Assistant program plan to stay in Nevada to practice, helping to increase access to care in the state.

Sagebrushers season 2 ep. 9: Senior Vice Provost Jill Heaton

Heaton shares insights into the new University of Nevada, Reno at Lake Tahoe location

University of Nevada, Reno to hold Native Students LEAD program Aug. 7-11

Indigenous high school students are invited to explore college life and connect with cultural support systems on campus

Visual art and music converge in new Lake Tahoe exhibit

Jazz musician and visual artist collaborate on a new exhibit in the Prim Library with a public artist reception on August 1.

The Guinn Center hires two senior staff members, two policy research interns

New hires at the Guinn Center expand research potential and bolster community-engagement