Just because you live where it’s dry doesn’t mean you can’t have a gorgeous garden. If you get creative, you can make an outdoor area that does well in dry weather and looks really amazing.

1. Plan a Rock Feature

A rock garden adds a nice shape and natural beauty to your yard.
A rock garden adds a nice shape and natural beauty to your yard.

A rock garden brings in different textures and keeps things interesting to look at, using natural stuff that fits right into the desert setting. I like to use rocks of different sizes to give it some depth and make things stand out.

2. Use Terracotta Touches

Terracotta touches bring a warm, cozy feel to any desert setting.
Terracotta touches bring a warm, cozy feel to any desert setting.

Terracotta pots and decorations bring a warm feel to the garden. From what I’ve seen, they look great with the earthy colors of the desert.

3. Include Wildflowers

Wildflowers add bright color to your landscape without needing much water.
Wildflowers add bright color to your landscape without needing much water.

Wildflowers that grow naturally in the area can add color during certain times of the year. In my garden, they add pops of bright colors without needing much water.

4. Add Some Impressive Cacti

Tall cacti make desert scenes look grand and dramatic.
Tall cacti make desert scenes look grand and dramatic.

Cacti are like the fancy part of a desert garden. I’m a fan of how they bring height and a bit of drama, and because they don’t need much water, they’re great for dry weather.

5. Make Your Own Succulent Paradise

A bright mix of succulents adds life to any desert setting.
A bright mix of succulents adds life to any desert setting.

There’s nothing quite like a group of succulents to show off the beauty of the desert. I’ve learned from my own garden that putting different kinds and sizes together makes a display that’s both attractive and easy to care for.

6. Focus on Natural Shades

Natural shades make a desert landscape look more balanced.
Natural shades make a desert landscape look more balanced.

Using natural colors blends perfectly with the desert environment. I’ve learned that browns, greens, and grays make everything look balanced.

7. Add a Little Fun

Add some fun touches to give your garden character and make it fun.
Add some fun touches to give your garden character and make it fun.

Add some fun elements for a surprising twist. I like to include things you wouldn’t expect, like a sculpture with a desert theme or pots with bright colors.

8. Make Stone Paths

Stone paths provide a natural shape and flow to your garden.
Stone paths provide a natural shape and flow to your garden.

Stone paths give your garden shape and guide people where to look. In my garden, I like how they lead people through different cool spots.

9. Use Stones for Ground Cover

Gravel paths make a clean and useful design in desert gardens.
Gravel paths make a clean and useful design in desert gardens.

Gravel is useful in places where it doesn’t rain much, but it also makes things look neat. I often use it to make paths or as a base for planting.

10. Add Plants of Different Heights

Different plant heights make your landscape more interesting and full.
Different plant heights make your landscape more interesting and full.

Mixing plants of different heights makes things more interesting. I often put short succulents with taller cacti to create layers.

11. Add Artistic Touches

Artistic touches make your desert landscape look classy.
Artistic touches make your desert landscape look classy.

Art can make your garden look more stylish. I’m a fan of how a well-chosen sculpture or a cool rock arrangement adds a touch of class.

12. Create Outdoor Seating Areas

Make a nice space to relax and enjoy your desert garden.
Make a nice space to relax and enjoy your desert garden.

Having an outdoor seating area lets you enjoy how beautiful your garden is. I’ve found that simple furniture looks best with the natural surroundings.

13. Use Plants in Pots

Plants in pots make desert landscaping easy to change and move around.
Plants in pots make desert landscaping easy to change and move around.

Plants in pots are easy to move around and change. I’ve found they’re great for adding something interesting without making big changes.

14. Go for a Simple Look

A simple design shows off the desert's natural beauty.
A simple design shows off the desert’s natural beauty.

Going with a simple style brings out the natural beauty of the desert. I love how just a few things can make a big impact.

15. Try Out Different Gravel Sizes

Play around with different sizes of gravel to add some texture to your garden.
Play around with different sizes of gravel to add some texture to your garden.

Playing around with different sizes of gravel can add texture and make things more interesting. I think mixing them makes a more lively scene.

16. Add a Water Feature

A water feature adds peace and a bit of surprise to desert gardens.
A water feature adds peace and a bit of surprise to desert gardens.

A small water feature can be a nice surprise in a desert setting. I’ve noticed how a simple fountain can turn a garden into a peaceful escape.