Lakewood is a city of contrasts when it comes to landscaping. Neighborhoods like Belmar sit in full, unbroken sun most of the day, while areas closer to Green Mountain and the foothills carry more mature tree canopy and shade. A water-wise landscape that works beautifully in one part of Lakewood can struggle in another if the design doesn’t account for that difference from the start.
Ridgewell Landscape and Design has spent over a decade designing landscapes across the Denver metro, and Lakewood’s mix of sun-baked and shaded yards is something we plan around on every project here.
What Does “Water-Wise Landscaping” Actually Mean?
Water-wise landscaping is a design approach built around reducing outdoor water use through plant selection, irrigation efficiency, and layout. In Colorado, this is more commonly called xeriscaping, a term Denver Water introduced in 1981. The City of Lakewood uses both terms in its own materials, including a Residential Outdoor Water Resource Guide with a chapter titled “How to Xeriscape in Colorado.”
A water-wise yard is not a yard with no plants. It’s a fully planted landscape using species that need far less supplemental water than a traditional lawn, which is a very different thing than a bare, gravel-covered lot.
Why Lakewood Takes This Seriously
The City of Lakewood runs its own Outdoor Water Conservation Program, giving residents access to lawn replacement discounts, discounted native plant kits, and free sprinkler evaluations through its Slow the Flow service. That level of dedicated city support, including a homeowner-facing guide with instructions specific to Colorado’s climate, tells you this is treated as a long-term priority here, not a one-season trend.
Our Water-Wise Landscaping Services in Lakewood
Design for Sun or Shade
We assess your yard’s actual light conditions before recommending plants, since a design that thrives in Belmar’s open sun may need real adjustments for a shadier lot near Green Mountain. Getting this wrong is one of the most common reasons a water-wise conversion underperforms.
Lawn-to-Xeriscape Conversion
Most projects begin with removing turf that’s no longer worth the water it takes to keep alive. We handle soil correction, drip irrigation installation, and a plant palette matched to your yard’s specific light and drainage.
Installation and Maintenance
Grading, hardscaping, and planting are handled directly by our team, typically led by Francisco Garcia and lead designer Chris. We follow up with maintenance service while plants establish over their first year or two.
Is Water-Wise Landscaping Right for Your Lakewood Yard?
- Your yard sits in full sun most of the day and burns through water every summer
- You have a shadier, tree-lined lot and aren’t sure which drought-tolerant plants will actually thrive there
- You live in an older neighborhood like Applewood where mature landscaping is due for an update anyway
- Drainage pools or runs off oddly after rain, a common issue on Lakewood’s sloped, foothill-adjacent lots
- You’d rather spend less time on sprinkler maintenance and more time enjoying your yard
Water Conservation Programs Available in Lakewood
Lakewood residents can access water-saving support through the city’s Outdoor Water Conservation Program, including lawn replacement discounts and free sprinkler evaluations. Program availability and terms change periodically, so we recommend confirming current details, and we can help point you toward what’s currently offered during your estimate.
Why Lakewood Homeowners Choose Ridgewell for Water-Wise Landscaping
Ridgewell Landscape and Design was founded in 2011 by longtime Colorado resident Francisco Garcia, and over a decade of experience across this specific climate, sun and shade both, informs every design we build. We’re licensed and insured in Colorado, hold a perfect 5.0-star rating on Google, and keep our team small enough that Francisco and Chris are personally involved in most Lakewood projects.
Get Your Free Water-Wise Landscaping Estimate in Lakewood
Whether your yard gets full sun or dappled shade, let’s design something that actually fits it. Get Your Free Estimate and our team will follow up.
Frequently Asked Question:
Does water-wise landscaping work in shadier Lakewood yards?
Yes, though plant selection needs to shift. Many drought-tolerant plants are bred for full sun, but there are shade-tolerant, low-water options that work well in Lakewood’s tree-covered neighborhoods. The key is designing around your yard’s actual light conditions rather than a generic plant list.
What is Lakewood’s Slow the Flow program?
It’s a free sprinkler system evaluation offered through the city’s water conservation partnership, designed to help homeowners identify where their existing irrigation is wasting water before making any bigger changes to the yard.
Where can I find Lakewood’s official guidance on xeriscaping?
The city publishes a Residential Outdoor Water Resource Guide that includes a section specifically on how to xeriscape in Colorado’s climate, available through Lakewood’s sustainability department.
Is water-wise landscaping the same thing as xeriscaping?
Yes, functionally. Xeriscaping is the specific term coined in Colorado in 1981, and water-wise landscaping describes the same underlying approach in more general terms. Lakewood’s own materials use both.
My Lakewood yard has drainage problems. Can xeriscaping help?
Often, yes. Regrading as part of a xeriscape conversion can correct poor drainage patterns, and many drought-tolerant plants actually prefer the well-drained conditions that come with a properly graded design.
How much does water-wise landscaping cost in Lakewood?
Cost depends on yard size, plant selection, and how much regrading or hardscaping is involved. Most residential projects across the Denver metro fall in the low to upper thousands of dollars, and a free on-site estimate gives you an accurate number for your specific yard.
