Landscape Plants for Eagle Mountain, Utah

 March 2018 | Horticulture/Landscape/2018-01pr 

Introduction

The City of Eagle Mountain is one of the fastest growing cities in Utah. Its rapidly increasing population, coupled with a semiarid environment, places a strain on natural resources such as water. Water conservation is a priority for the City of Eagle Mountain in order to create and maintain a comfortable lifestyle for its residents. As part of the city’s updated Water Conservation and Management Plan (2014), the city hopes to promote the use of drought-tolerant plants and efficient irrigation in order to conserve water. Eagle Mountain also plans to lead by example by installing a low-water demonstration garden and implementing water-efficient landscaping practices on city-managed landscapes

Purpose of Fact Sheet

A low-water landscape can be colorful, inviting and beautiful. The purpose of this fact sheet is to help homeowners of Eagle Mountain select landscape plants that will be successful in this area while also requiring less water. With proper plant selection and efficient irrigation, residents will be able to maintain beautiful landscapes while using less water.

Map of Eagle Mountain
Figure 1. Map of Eagle Mountain.

Location & Population

Eagle Mountain is located in Cedar Valley in northwestern Utah County. The West Desert lies to the west, and the Lake Mountains serve as an eastern barrier between the valley and Utah Lake. Within commuting distance of the Provo-Orem and Salt Lake City metropolitan areas, Eagle Mountain has a population that is rapidly increasing as housing pressure grows. Incorporated in 1996, its population grew from an estimated 2,000 people in 2000 to 30,000 in 2016. It is projected to continue to grow to 41,050 in 2024, and to 120,000 residents by 2040. 

Plant Selection

Ecoregion

Eagle Mountain is located in the semiarid Central Basin and Range ecoregion, which is dominated by sagebrush and bunch grasses. Native vegetation also includes pinyon pine, juniper, rabbitbrush and mountain mahogany; all of which are adapted to the cold temperatures and low rainfall of this region.

Climate & Hardiness Zones

According to the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone map, Eagle Mountain ranges from 6a (-10°F to -5°F) to 7a (5°F to 10°F). However, data from nearby weather stations indicate that microclimates in that area vary greatly. Depending on the site location within the city of Eagle Mountain, sites could even be in the USDA Hardiness Zones 4b (-25°F to - 20°F) to 5b (-15°F to -10°F).

The closest weather station to Eagle Mountain is located in Fairfield, 5 miles away at about the same elevation as Eagle Mountain’s City Center. Annual low temperatures in the last 20 years have dipped down into the -20s several times. Microclimates consisting of low-lying areas throughout the city where cold air settles could possibly be even colder. In contrast, the Ranches area of Eagle Mountain is elevated above the valley floor and partially on the Utah Lake side of the Lake Mountains, which results in warmer temperatures than the City Center area.

The growing season (days between first and last frost) averages 95 days at the Fairfield weather station with the last average spring freeze on June 7th and an average first freeze date of September 10th. Data from the Utah Lake Lehi climate station may more closely approximate the Ranches area and shows a longer growing season of 138 days with the last freeze on May 15th and the first freeze on September 29th. This temperature variability throughout the city underscores the importance of understanding individual landscape sites. Plants that will only survive in the Ranches area of the city are noted on the plant list.

Water Situation

Water Source

The current reliance on well water will not sustain the growing population of Eagle Mountain City. Therefore, the city has recently purchased 11,000 acre feet of water from Central Utah Water Conservancy District. This water must be imported from east of Utah Lake and has been treated for culinary use. It is a more expensive source of irrigation water than untreated well water. With typical Utah residents using 50-60% of their water on their landscapes, finding ways to reduce water use is essential for future growth.

3-year average water meter readings for healthy turfgrass plots at Jordan valley Conservation Garden Park 2009-2011 (based on 3-year average for residential sites in thje Salt Lake County Water Check Program)
Figure 2. Chart of typical turfgrass water use in Salt Lake Valley.

Annual Precipitation

The annual precipitation in Eagle Mountain averages 13.5 inches per year (NOAA 2011). In comparison, other cities in Utah average the following: 

  • Ogden: 19.2”
  • Logan: 18.5”
  • Salt Lake City: 18.6”
  • St. George: 8.8”
  • Provo: 19.8”
  • Moab: 9.5”

For reference, a typical Kentucky bluegrass lawn requires about 30 inches of water per year. The low precipitation means that most landscapes will need supplemental irrigation to survive. 

Irrigation Requirements

This publication offers guidelines on plant water requirements by organizing plants into three categories:

  • Very Low Water: Plants generally need no additional water once established except in drought conditions. Deep, infrequent watering.
  • Low Water: Plants generally require water once or twice a month after establishment, depending on weather.
  • Moderate Water: Plants generally require water once a week, depending on weather.

Keep in mind that this is a guide; microclimate, soil type, plant density and other factors may affect the plant’s water needs. Many plants fit into more than one water zone as they can handle less water, but grow faster/bigger with more water. Grouping plants together by water use (hydrozoning) encourages water efficiency by avoiding overwatering.

Soils

Soil is as important as hardiness zone in determining plant success in a landscape. Many drought tolerant plants are adapted to well-drained soils that are low in nutrients and organic matter. Soil type may affect plant selection. Since soils are often affected by construction, the best way to determine the characteristics of the soil in a specific landscape is through soil testing. Soil tests can be done by the Utah State University Analytical Laboratories at www.usual.usu.edu or through your county Extension Agent.

Native Soils

The native soils in Eagle Mountain differ between the upper elevation Ranches neighborhood, and the lower-elevation City Center area. Both soil types are well-drained and not prone to flooding or ponding. A major difference between the two is the higher salinity levels found in the lower-elevation soils. 

Saline Soils

High levels of salts in the soil can hinder plant growth and aggravate water stress by making it difficult for plants to extract water from the soil (Kotuby-Amacher, Koenig, and Kitchen 2000). Saline soils can originate from mineral weathering of the soils, soil amendments, winter de-icing salts, or irrigation water. Plants that are adapted to saline conditions are noted on the list.

Soil pH

Soil pH affects plant nutrient availability. Soils in the Eagle Mountain area are generally slightly to moderately alkaline. It is best to choose plants adapted to alkaline soils rather than amending the soil to match the requirements of the plants. Most acid-loving plants, such as blueberries and azaleas, are difficult to grow in Utah and will not thrive in Eagle Mountain landscapes.

Urban Soils Considerations

It is important to keep in mind, however, that frequently the top layers of soil found in built landscapes are not the native soils. Often topsoil is stripped off during construction and replaced with imported soil. Or, subsoils can be inadvertently brought to the surface. Compaction can also be a problem in built landscapes by making air and water unavailable for plants to produce healthy roots. 

Microclimates

The variability of topography in Eagle Mountain creates soil and temperature distinctions that mean some plants could thrive in one part of town, while suffering in another part. Even within a residential lot, recognizing and planting for microclimates may determine the success of many plants. For example, the north side of a building creates a shady, cool area that can keep moisture in the soil longer. A hot, sunny parking strip is exposed to radiant heat from both street and sidewalk, resulting in plants losing more water more quickly. Understanding plant climatic requirements when siting within a landscape ensures successful landscapes.

Planting for Wildlife & Pollinators

As cities grow and encroach into the natural environment, it is important to create and connect areas for the birds, bees and wildlife that rely on these natural resources. A surprising amount and variety of wildlife use residential yards for food, water, habitat and cover. Additionally, inviting wildlife into backyards is of benefit by keeping insects in check and connecting us to the natural world.

Providing wildlife-friendly landscaping can be as simple as including trees that provide berries for birds in the winter. Ensuring a continuous supply of blooms throughout the season will also attract bees and hummingbirds. Some species, such as the Monarch butterfly, need specific plants to feed on at certain stages of their lifecycle.

HOA and City Guidelines

In addition to finding plants adapted to your region and microclimate, check with HOA and city guidelines for restrictions to the amount and placement of certain types of plants. This is especially important in park strips where tall or prickly plants are often restricted. 

Plant Availability

When selecting plants for low-water landscapes, native plants are often considered since they are adapted to the local conditions. While natives can be very successful, it is important to keep in mind that they may be limited in their availability from local nurseries. However, nurseries can often locate and order natives or other low-water plants that might not be locally available. It is also important to remember that until established in the landscape, native plants require all of the care typically offered to traditional plants.

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References

  • Beddes, T., Gunnell, J., Kratsch, H., & Hefelbower, R. (2010). Shrub Selection for Utah Landscapes. Utah State University Extension.
  • Cerny, T. A., Heflebower, R., Sagers, L., & Bitner, W. (2003, May). Water Wise Plants for Utah Landscapes. Utah State University Extension.
  • Kotuby-Amacher, J., Koenig, R., & Kitchen, B. (2000). Salinity and Plant Tolerance. Utah State University Extension, (AG-SO-03), 8.
  • Nordstrom, S., Howe, F., Franklin, B., & Brudnicki, R. (2001). Creating Landscapes for Wildlife. Utah Division of Wildlife Resources.
  • Plant Finder. (n.d.). Retrieved December 13, 2017, from http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/plantfinder/plantfindersearch.aspx
  • PLANTS Database USDA PLANTS. (n.d.). Retrieved December 13, 2017, from https://plants.usda.gov/java/
  • Tree List - USU Tree Browser. (n.d.). Retrieved December 13, 2017, from https://treebrowser.org/
  • United States Department of Agriculture. (n.d.-a). National Cooperative Soil Survey. Retrieved from https://soilseries.sc.egov.usda.gov
  • U.S. Climate Data. (2018). [data]. Retrieved from https://www.usclimatedata.com/climate
  • Water Conservation and Management Plan. (2014, November). Eagle Mountain City. Retrieved from http://www.eaglemountaincity.org/Home/ShowDocument?id=1674
  • Zollinger, N., Koenig, R., Cerny-Koenig, T., & Kjelgren, R. (2007). Relative Salinity Tolerance of Intermountain Western United States Native Herbaceous Perennials. HortScience, 42(3), 529–534

Authors

Adrea Wheaton, Center for Water Efficient Landscaping; Larry A. Rupp, Extension Landscape Horticulture Specialist (Emeritus), Utah State University; Michael Caron, Extension Associate Professor

Michael Caron

Michael Caron

Extension Assistant Professor | Horticulture | Utah County

Agriculture and Natural Resources

Phone: (385) 268-6530
Office Location: Utah County
 

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