10 Low-Water Ornamental Grasses Ideal for Water-Efficient Landscapes in Eagle Mountain, Utah
Brochure describing 10 low water grasses best for the central Utah town of Eagle Mountain.
Promoting the Use of Utah Native Plants in the Urban Landscape
Utah’s incredible geographic diversity results in a wide range of habitats that support a broad spectrum of native plant material. Over 385 species of native woody plants and over 100 species of Penstemon can be found in Utah alone!
One goal of the Center for Water Efficient Landscaping (CWEL) has been to explore potential uses of Utah native plants for Utah's urban landscapes.
Current Research
Dr Youping Sun: Associate Professor (Landscape Horticulture), Utah State University Plants, Soils and Climate Department
Dr. Sun's research is in landscape horticulture with an emphasis on water conservation. Specifically, this research focuses on better understanding whole-plant responses to water stress and promotes the use of native plants for water-efficient landscaping through developing efficient propagation protocols and sustainable cultural practices.
Prior Research
Dr. Larry Rupp: Professor Emeritus (Horticulture), Utah State University Plants, Soils and Climate Department
Dr. Roger Kjelgren: former Professor (Horticulture) Utah State University Plants, Soils and Climate; Director, Mid-Florida Research and Extension Center, University of Florida (retired)
Dr. Heidi Kratch: former Assistant Professor (Horticulture), Utah State University, Plants, Soils and Climate; Professor & State Specialist, University of Reno, NV Extension (current)
The Center for Water Efficient Landscaping investigated select species found in low elevation habitats that are likely to use minimal water and provide aesthetic appeal in urban landscapes.
Once plants with superior landscape characteristics are identified in the field, CWEL researchers determine how they perform in a managed landscape and what their propagation and production requirements are.
Select Species Identified for Further Research
Waterwise and Native Plants Related Peer-Reviewed Publications
10 Low-Water Ornamental Shrubs Ideal for Water-Efficient Landscapes in Eagle Mountain, Utah
Brochure describing 10 low water shrubs best for the central Utah town of Eagle Mountain.
10 Low-Water Perennials Ideal for Water-Efficient Landscapes in Eagle Mountain, Utah
Brochure describing 10 low water perennials best for the central Utah town of Eagle Mountain.
Collecting Plants on Public Lands for Utah Landscaping
The adaptation of native plants of Utah to local soils, moisture, temperatures, and pests make them prime candidates for sustainable, low-water landscaping that also fosters habitat for pollinators and wildlife.
Landscape Plants for Eagle Mountain, Utah: Recommended Plants for Low-Water Landscaping
Document describing recommended plants for low-water landscaping in Eagle Mountain, Utah
Landscaping in Dry Shade: 15 Great Landscape Plants for Dry Shady Areas
The following is a list of 15 plants for dry shady spots.
Older Publications
- Salt Tolerance of Sego SupremeTM Plants, Asmita Paudel, Ji Jhong Chen, Youping Sun, Yuxiang Wang, Richard M. Anderson; American Society of Horticultural Science
- Vegetative propagation of Juniperus osteosperma (Utah Juniper) by cuttings, Kevin R. Cope; Native Plants Journal
- Etiolation Improves Rooting of Bigtooth Maple (Acer grandidentatum) Cuttings, Melody Reed Richards and Larry A. Rupp; HortTechnology
- Selection and Budding Propagation of Native Bigtooth Maple for Water-conserving Landscapes, Melody Reed Richards, Larry A. Rupp, Roger Kjelgren, and V. Philip Rasmussen; HortTechnology
- Morphological and genetic variation among Sphaeralcea Species in a high desert environment, Chalita Sriladda, Heidi A. Kratsch, Steven R. Larson, and Roger K. Kjelgren; HortScience
- Water efficient urban landscapes - integrating different water use categorizations and plant types, Hongyan Sun, Kelly L. Kopp, and Roger Kjelgren; HortScience
- Principle 7: Landscape Maintenance, Amy Croft, Larry A. Rupp, and Heidi A. Kratsch; Water-Efficient Landscaping in the Intermountain West
- Water Use and the Key factor of Water Use of Ornamental Landscapes, Roger Kjelgren, Kelly Kopp, and Hongyan Sun; Spring Runoff Conference
- Tropical street trees and climate uncertainty in Southeast Asia, Roger Kjelgren, Yongyut Trisurat, Ladawan Puangchit, Nestor Baguinon, and Puay Tan Yok; HortScience
- Value Landscape Engineering: identifying costs, water use, labor, and impacts to support landscape choice., Kelly Kopp, Larry Rupp, Paul G. Johnson, Roger K. Kjelgren, David E. Rosenberg, and Heidi Kratsch; Journal of the American Water Resources Association
- Predicting urban forest growth and its impact on residential landscape water demand in a semiarid urban environment, John H. Lowry Jr., R. Douglas Ramsey, and Roger K. Kjelgren; Urban Forestry & Urban Greening
- Plant Species vulnerability to climate change in peninsular Thailand., Y. Trisuart, S. Fajendra, and Roger K. Kjelgren; Applied Geography
- Water deficit stress responses of three herbaceous native Australian ornamental species, Roger Kjelgren, Lixue Wang, and Daryl Joyce; HortScience
- Water-conserving landscapes: an evaluation of homeowner preference, Tony A. McCammon, Sandra T. Marquart-Pyatt, and Kelly L. Kopp; Journal of Extension
- Landscaping on the New Frontier: Waterwise Design for the Intermountain West, Susan E. Meyer, Roger K. Kjelgren, Darrel G. Morrison, and William A. Varga; All USU Press Publications
- Nitrogen and media assessment for first-year pot-in-pot production of container and bare root liners in the Intermountain West, JayDee Gunnell, Paul R. Grossl, and Roger Kjelgren; Journal of Environmental Horticulture
- Theory and Practice Related to Native Plants: A Case Study of Utah Landscape Professionals, Virginia Harding Hooper, Joanna Endter-Wada, and Craig W. Johnson; Landscape Journal
- Water use of four street tree species in Bangkok, Thailand, Roger Kjelgren, L Puangchit, C. Sriladda, and M. Someechai; ISHS Acta Horticulturae
- Characterizing fertilizer and media pH requirements for greenhouse production of Intermountain West native herbaceous perennials, Guillermo Cardoso, Teresa Cerny-Koenig, Rich Koenig, and Roger Kjelgren; Native Plants Journal
- Relative salinity tolerance of Intermountain Western United States native herbaceous perennials, N. Zollinger, R. Koenig, Teresa Cerny-Koenig, and Roger Kjelgren; HortScience
- Pot-in-pot production of six Intermountain West native herbaceous perennial species grown in containers, Guillermo Cardoso, Roger Kjelgren, Teresa Cerny-Koenig, and Rich Koenig; Journal of Environmental Horticulture
- Effects of irrigation and mowing on species diversity of grass and wildflower mixtures for the Intermountain West, Daniel W. Dewwy, Paul G. Johnson, and Roger K. Kjelgren; Native Plants Journal
- Evaluating a line source irrigation system for determining water requirements of herbaceous perennials, Roger Kjelgren and Teresa Cerny-Koenig; Journal of Environmental Horticulture
- Native and adapted plants for water-efficiency in urban Utah landscapes, Heidi A. Kratsch, Kelly L. Kopp, Paul Johnson, and Roger Kjelgren; HortScience
- Use of thermal dissipation probes to estimate water loss of containerized landscape trees, Thayne Montague and Roger Kjelgren; Journal of Environmental Horticulture
- Drought responses of six ornamental herbaceous perennials, N. Zollinger, Roger K. Kjelgren, Teresa Cerny-Koenig, Kelly Kopp, and R. Koenig; Scientia Horticulturae
- Growth and water relations of littleleaf linden trees established in irrigated buffalograss and Kentucky bluegrass, J. Ryan Stewart, Roger Kjelgren, and Paul G. Johnson; HortScience
- Species composition changes in a rooftop grass and wildflower meadow: Implication for designing successful mixtures, Daniel W. Dewwy, Paul G. Johnson, and Roger K. Kjelgren; Native Plants Journal
- Water use and stomatal behavior of sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua L.) relative to reference evaporation in three contrasting regions, Roger Kjelgren, T. Montague, and R. Beeson; ISHS Acta Horticulturae
- Water loss estimates for five recently transplanted landscape tree species in a semi-arid climate, Thayne Montague, Roger Kjelgren, Rick Allen, and David Wester; Journal of Environmental Horticulture
- Water loss estimates for five recently transplanted landscape tree species in a semi-arid climate, Thayne Montague, Roger K. Kjelgren, Rick Allen, and David Wester; Journal of Environmental Horticulture
- Energy balance of six common landscape surfaces and the influence of surface properties on gas exchange of four containerized tree species, T. Montague and Roger K. Kjelgren; Scientia Horticulturae
- Maintaining Hydraulic Control Using Deep Rooted Tree Systems, A. Ferro, M. Gefell, Roger Kjelgren, D. S. Lipson, N. Zollinger, and S. Jackson; Advances in Biochemical Engineering/Biotechnology
- Tree seedling establishment with protective shelters and irrigation scheduling in three naturalized landscapes in Utah, Roger Kjelgren, Neil Chapman, and Larry Rupp; Journal of Environmental Horticulture
- Gas Exchange and Growth of Two Transplanted, Field-grown Tree Species in an Arid Climate, Thayne Montague, Roger K. Kjelgren, and Larry A. Rupp; HortScience
- Surface energy balance affects gas exchange and growth of two transplanted landscape trees, Thayne Montague, Roger K. Kjelgren, and Larry A. Rupp; Journal of American Society of Horticultural Science
- Shearing and Growth of Five Intermountain Native Shrub Species, Larry A. Rupp, Roger K. Kjelgren, Jeriann Ernstsen, and William Varga; Journal of Environmental Horticulture
Water-Wise and Native Plants Related Extension Fact Sheets
16 Less Common Trees for Utah Landscapes
This fact sheet provides descriptions of 16 tree species that are less commonly planted in Utah towns and cities.
Apache Plume in the Landscape
Apache plume is an evergreen shrub that can reach five feet tall and wide in a landscape setting. This plant’s most distinguishing and attractive feature is the feathery, redturning-pink seedhead that emerges after the white rose-like, five-petaled flower...
Curl-leaf Mountain Mahogany in the Landscape
Curl-leaf mountain mahogany is a marvelous large shrub to small tree that would look good in any ornamental landscape, but is especially adapted for low-water landscapes.
Drought Tolerance, A Database of Irrigation Requirements for Woody Plants of Northern Utah
The DROUGHT database is based on an extensive review of literature of the water requirements for woody plants adapted to the Northern Utah region. It is intended to increase the resources available to the public to incorporate water-efficient principles a...
Firecracker Penstemon in the Landscape
Bright scarlet flowers that shower from arching stems of firecracker penstemon have made this plant a favorite of many penstemon enthusiasts. The species is found throughout the West at elevations from 3,000 to 11,000 feet.
Little Bluestem in the Landscape
This plant can be found naturally in desert surroundings, along waterways, and in rock crevices. This is a long-living plant that can be used ornamentally as a specimen, in a rock garden, or anywhere soil stabilization is desired. In winter, the seeds are...
Mexican Cliffrose in the Landscape
Mexican cliffrose occurs throughout the southern regions of the Intermountain West and has great potential for use in low-water landscapes.Cultural Requirements:
Mountain Beebalm in the Landscape
This mound-forming perennial is typically seen in higher elevations in the interior West. The lavender or rose-purple flowers are attractive to insects, especially bees and butterflies. This plant is easy to establish and maintain in Intermountain West la...
Nurturing Native Plants
This publication is a compilation of successful protocols from research literature for native woody plants in Utah. The guide is laid out much like a recipe; listing the various ingredients and materials for each 'dish', and step-by-step instructions to r...
Prince’s Plume in the Landscape
Extremely drought-tolerant perennial to 5 feet, tall with a large mound of coarse foliage at the base and tall plumes of lemon yellow flowers in summer.
Propagating Bigtooth Maple
The first step in producing native plants with greater application in the landscape industry is to propagate or reproduce exceptional selections of these plants.
Selection and Culture of Landscape Plants in Utah
The purpose of this series of publications is to recommend plants and landscape management procedures for various regions of the state. This edition targets the communities of the high mountain valleys of the state (Rich, Morgan, Summit, and Wasatch count...
Shrub Selection for Utah Landscapes
Urban and suburban landscapes present special challenges concerning shrub selection in Utah. Due to our distinctive climate, shrubs must be able to withstand intense sunlight, low relative humidity, drying winds, and limited seasonal precipitation.
Water-Wise Plants for Utah Landscapes
This fact sheet includes a water-wise list of ornamental trees, shrubs, herbaceous perennials, ornamental grasses, and ground covers. The plants on the list are (1) water-conserving, (2) adapted to Utah’s arid climate and cold winters, (3) available in th...
Utah Native Plant Books
Nurturing Native Plants
This publication is a compilation of successful protocols from research literature for native woody plants in Utah. The guide is laid out much like a recipe; listing the various ingredients and materials for each 'dish', and step-by-step instructions to r...
Water Wise
Convenient and comprehensive, Water Wise provides specific information about shrubs, trees, grasses, forbs, and cacti that are native to most states in the Intermountain West, and that can be used in landscaping to conserve water, reflect and preserve the...