Transform Your Las Vegas Home with These Landscaping Ideas

Low maintenance landscaping

Sustainable landscaping is a modern type of gardening or landscaping that takes the environmental issue of sustainability into account. According to Loehrlein in 2009 this includes design, construction and management of residential and commercial gardens and incorporates organic lawn management and organic gardening techniques.^[1]

Definition

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A sustainable garden is designed to be both attractive and in balance with the local climate and environment and it should require minimal resource inputs. Thus, the design must be “functional, cost-efficient, visually pleasing, environmentally friendly and maintainable".^[2] As part of sustainable development, it pays close attention to preserving limited resources, reducing waste, and preventing air, water and soil pollution. Compost, fertilization, integrated pest management, using the right plant in the right place, appropriate use of turf and xeriscaping (water-wise gardening) are all components of sustainable landscaping.

Benefits

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Sustainability can help urban commercial landscaping companies save money.^[3] In California, gardens often do not outweigh the cost of inputs like water and labor. However, using appropriately selected and properly sited plants may help to ensure that maintenance costs are lower because of reduced inputs.

• Long-lasting
• Reduced water usage and no surface runoff or puddles
• Minimal use of fertilizers and pesticides
• Use of green waste
• Conservation of energy and resources^[4]

Issues

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Sustainability issues for landscaping include:

• Carbon sequestration
• Climate change
• Water conservation
• Energy usage

Non-sustainable practices include:

• Consumption of non-renewable resources
• Greenhouse gas emissions

Solutions

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Some of the solutions are:

• Reduction of stormwater run-off through the use of bio-swales, rain gardens and green roofs and walls.^[5][6][7]
• Reduction of water use in landscapes through design of water-wise garden techniques (sometimes known as xeriscaping)^{[8][9][10][11]}
• Bio-filtering of wastes through constructed wetlands^[12]
• Irrigation using water from showers and sinks, known as gray water^[13]
• Integrated Pest Management techniques for pest control
• Creating and enhancing wildlife habitat in urban environments^[14]
• Energy-efficient garden design in the form of proper placement and selection of shade trees and creation of wind breaks ^[15][16]
• Permeable paving materials to reduce stormwater run-off and allow rain water to infiltrate into the ground and replenish groundwater rather than run into surface water^[17][18]
• Use of sustainably harvested wood, composite wood products for decking and other garden uses, as well as use of plastic lumber^[19]
• Recycling of products, such as glass, rubber from tires and other materials to create landscape products such as paving stones, mulch and other materials^[20]
• Soil management techniques, including composting kitchen and yard wastes, to maintain and enhance healthy soil that supports a diversity of soil life
• Integration and adoption of renewable energy, including solar-powered lighting^[21]
• Development of lawn alternatives^[22] such as xeriscaping,^[23] floral lawns,^[24] and meadows.^[25]

Proper design

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One step to garden design is to do a "sustainability audit". This is similar to a landscape site analysis that is typically performed by landscape designers at the beginning of the design process. Factors such as lot size, house size, local covenants and budgets should be considered. The steps to design include a base plan, site inventory and analysis, construction documents, implementation and maintenance.^[2] Of great importance is considerations related to the growing conditions of the site. These include orientation to the sun, soil type, wind flow, slopes, shade and climate, the goal of reducing irrigation and use of toxic substances, and requires proper plant selection for the specific site.

Sustainable landscaping is not only important because it saves money, it also limits the human impact on the surrounding ecosystem. However, planting species not native to the landscape may introduce invasive plant species as well as new wildlife that was not in the ecosystem before. Altering the ecosystem is a major problem and meeting with an expert with experience with the wildlife and agriculture in the area will help avoid this.^[26]

Irrigation

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Mulch may be used to reduce water loss due to evaporation, reduce weeds, minimize erosion, dust and mud problems. Mulch can also add nutrients to the soil when it decomposes. However, mulch is most often used for weed suppression. Overuse of mulch can result in harm to the selected plantings. Care must be taken in the source of the mulch, for instance, black walnut trees result in a toxic mulch product. Grasscycling turf areas (using mulching mowers that leave grass clippings on the lawn) will also decrease the amount of fertilizer needed, reduce landfill waste and reduce costs of disposal.^[27]

A common recommendation is to add 2-4 inches of mulch in flower beds and under trees away from the trunk. Mulch should be applied under trees to the dripline (extension of the branches) in lieu of flowers, hostas, turf or other plants that are often planted there. This practice of planting under trees is detrimental to tree roots, especially when such plants are irrigated to an excessive level that harms the tree. One must be careful not to apply mulch to the bark of the tree. It can result in smothering, mould and insect depredation.

The practice of xeriscaping or water-wise gardening suggests that placing plants with similar water demands together will save time and low-water or drought-tolerant plants would be a smart initial consideration.

A homeowner may consider consulting an accredited irrigation technician/auditor and obtain a water audit of current systems. Drip or sub-surface irrigation may be useful. Using evapotranspiration controllers, soil sensors and refined control panels will reduce water loss. Irrigation heads may need readjustment to avoid sprinkling on sidewalks or streets. Business owners may consider developing watering schedules based on historical or actual weather data and soil probes to monitor soil moisture prior to watering.^[2]

Building materials

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See also: Sustainable architecture

When deciding what kind of building materials to put on a site it is important to recycle as often as possible, such as for example by reusing old bricks.

It is also important to be careful about what materials you use, especially if you plan to grow food crops. Old telephone poles and railroad ties have usually been treated with a toxic substance called creosote that can leach into the soils.

Sustainably harvested lumber is available, in which ecological, economic and social factors are integrated into the management of trees used for lumber.^[28]

Planting selection

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One important part of sustainable landscaping is plant selection. Most of what makes a landscape unsustainable is the amount of inputs required to grow a non-native plant on it. What this means is that a local plant, which has adapted to local climate conditions will require less work to flourish. Instead, drought-tolerant plants like succulents and cacti are better suited to survive.

Plants used as windbreaks can save up to 30% on heating costs in winter. They also help with shading a residence or commercial building in summer, create cool air through evapotranspiration and can cool hardscape areas such as driveways and sidewalks.^[29]

Irrigation is an excellent end-use option in greywater recycling and rainwater harvesting systems, and a composting toilet can cover (at least) some of the nutrient requirements.^[30] Not all fruit trees are suitable for greywater irrigation, as reclaimed greywater is typically of high pH and acidophile plants don't do well in alkaline environments.

Energy conservation may be achieved by placing broadleaf deciduous trees near the east, west and optionally north-facing walls of the house. Such selection provides shading in the summer while permitting large amounts of heat-carrying solar radiation to strike the house in the winter. The trees are to be placed as closely as possible to the house walls. As the efficiency of photovoltaic panels and passive solar heating is sensitive to shading, experts suggest the complete absence of trees near the south side.

Another choice would be that of a dense vegetative fence composed of evergreens (e.g. conifers) near that side from which cold continental winds blow and also that side from which the prevailing winds blow. Such a choice creates a winter windbreak that prevents low temperatures outside the house and reduces air infiltration towards the inside. Calculations show that placing the windbreak at a distance twice the height of the trees can reduce the wind velocity by 75%.^[31]

The above vegetative arrangements come with two disadvantages. Firstly, they minimize air circulation in summer although in many climates heating is more important and costly than cooling, and, secondly, they may affect the efficiency of photovoltaic panels. However, it has been estimated that if both arrangements are applied properly, they can reduce the overall house energy usage by up to 22%.^[31]

Lawns are often used as the center point of a landscape. While there are many different species of grass, only a limited amount are considered sustainable. Knowing the climate around the landscape is ideal for saving water and being sustainable. For example, in southern California having a grass lawn of tall fescue will typically need upwards of 1,365 cubic metres (360,500 US gal) of water. A lawn in the same place made up of mixed beds with various trees, shrubs, and ground cover will normally need 202 cubic metres (53,300 US gal) of water.^[32] Having gravel, wood chips or bark, mulch, rubber mulch, artificial grass, patio, wood or composite deck, rock garden, or a succulent garden are all considered sustainable landscape techniques. Other species of plants other than grass that can take up a lawn are lantana, clover, creeping ivy, creeping thyme, oregano, rosemary hedges, silver pony foot, moneywort, chamomile, yarrow, creeping lily turf, ice plant, and stonecrop.^{[citation needed]}

It is best to start with pest-free plant materials and supplies and close inspection of the plant upon purchase is recommended. Establishing diversity within the area of plant species will encourage populations of beneficial organisms (e.g. birds, insects), which feed on potential plant pests. Attracting a wide variety of organisms with a variety of host plants has shown to be effective in increasing pollinator presence in agriculture.^[33] Because plant pests vary from plant to plant, assessing the problem correctly is half the battle. The owner must consider whether the plant can tolerate the damage caused by the pest. If not, then does the plant justify some sort of treatment? Physical barriers may help.^[2] Landscape managers should make use of Integrated Pest Management to reduce the use of pesticides and herbicides.

Proper pruning will increase air circulation and may decrease the likelihood of plant diseases. However, improper pruning is detrimental to shrubs and trees.^[2]

There are several programs in place that are open to participation by various groups. For example, the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for golf courses,^[34] the Audubon Green Neighborhoods Program,^[35] and the National Wildlife Federation’s Backyard Habitat Program,^[36] to name a few.

The Sustainable Sites Initiative, began in 2005, provides a points-based certification for landscapes, similar to the LEED program for buildings operated by the Green Building Council. It has guidelines and performance benchmarks.^[37]

• Horticulture – Small-scale cultivation of plants
• Organic lawn management – Caring for an turf field or lawn and landscape using organic horticulture
• Foodscaping – Ornamental landscaping with edible plants
• Naturescaping – Method of landscape design that involves incorporating native plants into one's yard
• Sustainable gardening
• Climate-friendly gardening – Low greenhouse gases gardening

Residential development in Las Vegas, US

"Summerlin" redirects here. For the surname, see Summerlin (surname).

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Planned community in Nevada, United States

Summerlin
Planned community
Neighborhood of Las Vegas, Nevada
Summerlin Entrance Marker
Summerlin
Coordinates: 36°11′N 115°20′W / 36.183°N 115.333°W / 36.183; -115.333
Country	United States
State	Nevada
County	Clark
City	Las Vegas
Founded	1990; 35 years ago (1990)
Founded by	Howard Hughes Holdings
Named after	Jean Amelia Summerlin
Associations	Summerlin North Summerlin South Summerlin West Sun City Summerlin Siena

Summerlin is a master-planned mixed-use development mostly within the city limits of Las Vegas, Nevada.^[a] The development covers 22,500 acres (91 km²) of the western edge of incorporated Las Vegas sitting at the center-west end of the Las Vegas Valley. Downtown Summerlin refers to the development's primary commercial and retail shopping area.

The neighborhood is adjacent to many wilderness conservation, recreation areas and commercial aread, including Red Rock and Spring Mountains and to the west, the La Madre and Mount Charleston Wilderness areas to its northwest, and the Las Vegas Strip resort corridor to its east.

The majority of Summerlin is within Las Vegas Ward I, currently represented on the Las Vegas City Council by Brian Knudsen, mayor pro tempore. Along with many private and charter schools, public education is provided by the Clark County School District. Emergency services are provided by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department and the Las Vegas Fire & Rescue department.

History

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In 1952, reclusive casino and film executive Howard Hughes purchased 30,000 acres (12,000 ha) of land along the western edge of the Las Vegas Valley for $3 per acre in an area valued at $1.27 million in 2022 USD, according to development company, Howard Hughes Holdings.^[2]

Despite initial intentions to reposition some of his business operations in Nevada, Hughes eventually chose not to relocate his core companies.^[3] Even though Hughes did not relocate operations, he became the largest single land owner in Nevada by the early 1970s and, for a time, the largest employer in the state with over 8,000 on his payroll.^[3] The land remained largely undeveloped for decades. In the mean time, the first large-scale master-planned community in Nevada, Green Valley in Henderson, began development

After Hughes' death in 1976 from kidney failure, his heirs organized the Summa Corporation (now Howard Hughes Holdings), named for Hughes's paternal grandmother Jean Amelia Summerlin, to manage his businesses and land holdings.^[3][4][5]

In 1990, Summerlin Parkway, a six-lane highway costing $22 million to complete, running from Rainbow Boulevard to Town Center Drive, connecting the U.S. Route 95 to the new development.^[3]

To mitigate environmental impact, Summa Corporation made a deal with the Bureau of Land Management in which they traded 5,000 acres of environmentally sensitive land for 3,000 acres of land better suited for development.^[6] After this environmental concern was addressed, development began. By the end of 1990, the construction of its first residential area, park, and school had been completed. In 1994, Summa Corporation rebranded itself as the Howard Hughes Corporation and continued to develop new areas of Summerlin.^[3]

The Great Recession led to a temporary slowdown in new construction within Summerlin.^[3] However, development activity increased significantly after 2014, highlighted by the opening of Downtown Summerlin, a 106-acre development featuring retail stores, restaurants, and entertainment venues.^[7]

Demographics

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It has a median household income of $72,078.^[8]

Geography

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Climate

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TPC Golf Course in Summerlin
Climate chart (explanation)
J F M A M J J A S O N D     0.5     58 39     0.7     63 44     0.4     70 49     0.2     78 56     0.1     89 66     0.1     99 75     0.4     104 81     0.3     102 79     0.3     94 71     0.3     81 59     0.4     67 47     0.5     57 39 â–ˆ Average max. and min. temperatures in °F â–ˆ Precipitation totals in inches
Metric conversion J F M A M J J A S O N D     13     14 4     18     17 7     10     21 9     5.1     26 13     2.5     32 19     2.5     37 24     10     40 27     7.6     39 26     7.6     34 22     7.6     27 15     10     19 8     13     14 4 â–ˆ Average max. and min. temperatures in °C â–ˆ Precipitation totals in mm

Summerlin has a hot desert climate typical of the Mojave Desert in which it lies (Köppen climate classification: BWh).

Summers tend to be very hot and very dry, with daily highs often exceeding 100 °F (38 °C); temperatures as high as 118 degrees have been observed. The spring and fall seasons are generally sunny, warm, and dry, with daily highs in the 70s and 80s. Winters tend to be cool and windy, with daily highs in the 50s; temperatures seldom drop below freezing, and snowfall is rare, but some rain is common (especially in January and February).^[9]

Economy

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Allegiant Air has their corporate headquarters in Summerlin.^[10][11][12]

Hotel and casinos

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The Summerlin area is home to three major resort casinos.

• JW Marriott Las Vegas, which includes the attached Rampart Casino, both opened in 1999.^[13]
• Red Rock Casino, Resort & Spa, opened in 2006.^[14]
• Suncoast Hotel and Casino, opened in 2000. Generally considered a Summerlin property,^[15][16] but actually located just outside the community.^[17]

Summerlin is also home to a non-gaming hotel known as Element Las Vegas, developed by Westin Hotels.^[18][19] It opened in 2008.^[20][21]

Arts and culture

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Downtown Summerlin

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Downtown Summerlin is a 400-acre (160 ha) mixed-use district. It opened in 2014, and includes a 106-acre (43 ha) shopping center with more than 125 shops, bars, and restaurants.^[22] It also features office and residential space.^[23][24][25] In addition, Downtown Summerlin also includes two sports facilities:^[26]

• City National Arena, opened in 2017. It serves as a practice facility for the Vegas Golden Knights NHL franchise and is also the home arena of the UNLV Rebels hockey program.^[27]

• Las Vegas Ballpark, opened in 2019 and home of the Las Vegas Aviators minor league baseball team.^[28]

Local events are held in Downtown Summerlin throughout the year, including an annual art festival,^[29][30] outdoor fitness classes, wine walks, holiday festivals, and visits from celebrity guest speakers.^{[citation needed]}

Summerlin has a public library, a branch of the Las Vegas-Clark County Library District.^[31]

The city's NHL franchise, the Vegas Golden Knights, practice at City National Arena in Summerlin. The arena also offers skating lessons, hosts youth and adult amateur hockey leagues, and trains competitive figure skaters.^[32]

The UNLV Hockey team plays its home games at City National Arena in Summerlin.

The Las Vegas Aviators (a minor league baseball franchise) play at the Las Vegas Ballpark in Summerlin.

Bicycle lanes are provided on most major roads in Summerlin, as well as in the adjacent Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area.

Large community parks, which are available for free public use, are located throughout Summerlin. As of 2018^[update], there are 25 community parks that feature a variety of recreational amenities, which may include: community centers, barbecue areas, walking trails, playgrounds, swimming pools, interactive water features, soccer fields, baseball fields, football fields, basketball courts, tennis courts, volleyball courts, bocce ball and shuffleboard courts, and motorized toy areas. In addition, the parks with community centers typically offer special events, classes, and children's camps.^[33] Swimming pool access, sports field and court registration and league participation, facility rentals, and classes require a Summerlin identification card issued only to owners and tenants who live in an area governed by a Summerlin HOA.^[34][35]

As of 2018, the Summerlin Trail System is more than 150 miles long and connects local neighborhoods to various amenities throughout the community.^[36] The system includes five types of planned trails: street-side, village, bike, regional, and natural.

Upon completion, the trail system will be more than 200 miles long and will connect to more than 2,000 miles of regional trails, making it one of the most comprehensive and efficient trail systems in the southwestern United States.

In 2008, Summerlin and the Howard Hughes Corporation received the American Trails Developer Award, which is given to developers in recognition of "quality, well designed multi-use trails systems that are integrated into private developments."^[37]

The adjacent Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area offers 26 hiking trails (ranging in difficulty from easy to strenuous). The canyon is also suitable for bouldering and rock climbing and has an overnight camp site.^[38]

Public schools in Summerlin belong to the Clark County School District, which serves almost all of Southern Nevada.

• Shelley Berkley Elementary School
• John W. Bonner Elementary School
• Roger M. Bryan Elementary School
• Linda Rankin Givens Elementary School
• John & Judy Goolsby Elementary School
• William R. Lummis Elementary School
• D’vorre & Hal Ober Elementary School
• Ethel W. Staton Elementary School
• James B. McMillan Elementary
• Katz Elementary

• Ernest Becker Middle School
• Victoria Fertitta Middle School
• Sig Rogich Middle School

• Palo Verde High School
• Cimarron-Memorial High School
• West Career And Technical Academy

In addition to the above-listed public schools, some Summerlin residents may be zoned for schools located just outside of the Summerlin boundaries (many families in Summerlin South, for example, are zoned for Durango High School in nearby Spring Valley).^[39]

Summerlin is also home to several private schools, including:

• The Adelson Educational Campus (K-12; Jewish)
• Alexander Dawson School (K-8; Secular)
• Bishop Gorman High School (9-12; Catholic)
• Faith Lutheran Academy (K-5; Lutheran)
• Faith Lutheran Jr/Sr High School (6-12; Lutheran)
• The Meadows School (K-12; Secular)
• Merryhill School (K-5; Secular)
• St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic School (K-8; Catholic)
• The Shenker Academy (Kindergarten only; Jewish)
• Sholom Schechter Day School of Las Vegas (K-5; Jewish)

Higher education within the community of Summerlin is mostly limited to small satellite campuses, including:

• The College of Southern Nevada (Summerlin Center Campus; Public)
• The Roseman University of Health Sciences (Summerlin Campus; Private)

However, Summerlin is also located within 10 miles of the College of Southern Nevada's main campus (CSN - Charleston), within 20 miles of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), and within 30 miles of Nevada State College (NSC).

In addition to local government (either the City of Las Vegas or Clark County depending on jurisdiction), Summerlin is divided into community associations covering the north, south, west, and center, as well as separate community associations for Sun City Summerlin and the two gated country club developments (Siena and Red Red Country Club).^[40][41] Homeowners and business owners contribute into each community association through monthly dues. The four main community associations contribute into and send representatives to the Summerlin Council, which is the owner and operator of the community centers and adjoining parks, swimming pools, and sports facilities in the community.^[42] In addition, individual villages or townhome developments may have their own homeowners associations to govern their neighborhoods. Properties are also in a special improvement district to pay for public infrastructure, which is assessed annually as a bond payment.^[43]

The Summerlin Hospital Medical Center, a private hospital operated by the Valley Health System, provides 485 beds to the local community. It is an accredited Chest Pain Center and Primary Stroke Center. Other features include: the Children's Medical Center, the Breast Care Center, the Cancer Center, the Rehab Center, and the Robotic Surgery Center. Its 40-acre campus is located in The Crossings village of Summerlin North.^[44]

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• Miriam Adelson: Chairman and CEO of Las Vegas Sands
• Eugenie Bouchard: Professional tennis player
• David Copperfield: Magician and TV personality^[45]
• Frank Fertitta III: CEO of Station Casinos
• Lorenzo Fertitta: Former CEO of Ultimate Fighting Championship
• Russ Freeman (pianist): Bebop jazz pianist and composer
• Joey Gallo: MLB player for the New York Yankees
• Rick Harrison: Owner of World Famous Gold & Silver Pawn Shop and Pawn Stars Reality TV Star
• Brandon Marshall: Former NFL wide receiver for the Denver Broncos and Oakland Raiders
• Bob Miller: Former Nevada Governor
• Ross Miller: Former Nevada Secretary of State
• Michael Morton: Founder of the Morton Group of restaurants
• Asia Muhammad: WTA Tennis player
• Shabazz Muhammad: NBA player for the Minnesota Timberwolves
• DeMarco Murray: Former NFL running back for the Tennessee Titans and Dallas Cowboys
• Joey Rickard: MLB player for the San Francisco Giants
• O. J. Simpson: Former NFL player, convicted felon, actor, and sportscaster
• Ronnie Stanley: NFL Offensive Tackle for the Baltimore Ravens
• Brendon Urie: Vocalist for Panic! at the Disco
• Mark Wahlberg: Actor and entrepreneur
• C.J. Watson: NBA basketball player for the Orlando Magic
• Dana White: President of Ultimate Fighting Championship
• Wayne McCullough: Olympic Games Silver Medalist and World Boxing Council Champion
• Pia Zadora: Actress and singer
• Stephen Zimmerman: NBA player for the Orlando Magic

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Summerlin, Nevada.

• Summerlin web site