Where can you see desert landscaping ideas in Scottsdale? Right in the middle of 85250. The Scottsdale Xeriscape Garden at Chaparral Park is a six-acre demonstration garden with more than 7,000 Arizona-friendly plants and about 200 species, set against Camelback Mountain. It's free, open from sunrise to 10:30 p.m., and easy to miss from the street.
Why visit before you redo your yard? Because you can see full-grown desert plants side by side, read the city's signage on plant selection, water harvesting and care, and then plant at the right time. University of Arizona (UA) Cooperative Extension calls late fall the ideal planting window in the desert, which makes the next few weeks prime time.
Data note: Garden details come from the City of Scottsdale's Xeriscape Garden and Parks & Trees pages; planting and irrigation guidance from UA Cooperative Extension publication AZ1048, "Care of Desert-Adapted Plants," and AMWUA's "Landscaping with Style" guide; rebate terms from Scottsdale Water's current single-family grass removal application (checked Oct. 22, 2026).
How to Find the Garden
- Address: 8111 E. McDonald Drive, Scottsdale, AZ 85250, inside Chaparral Park
- Parking: off Hayden Road, just south of McDonald, next to the dog park
- Walk in: paths start beside the dog park and between the softball fields behind the restrooms
- Hours: sunrise to 10:30 p.m.
- Questions: the Master Gardener hotline listed by the City is 602-827-8201
What You'll See
- Self-guided walking tour with signage on selecting and installing Arizona-friendly plants and trees, water harvesting and plant care
- An interactive plant guide, per the City's Parks & Trees page
- A National Wildlife Federation Certified Wildlife Habitat
- A buried water reservoir from the adjacent Chaparral Water Treatment Plant, hidden beneath the plantings
What Xeriscape Actually Means
UA Cooperative Extension traces the word to the Greek xeros, "dry." A xeriscape is a water-conserving landscape designed to fit the existing environment, using native and other drought-resistant plants that tolerate low humidity, low rainfall and alkaline soils.
It does not mean gravel and nothing else. AMWUA's guide notes that small, well-planned grass areas can fit into a xeriscape, especially for children or pets.
Five Ideas to Borrow From the Garden
- Group plants by thirst. AMWUA recommends putting plants with similar water needs on the same irrigation valve
- Plan for mature size. UA advises considering a plant's size at maturity before choosing its spot, and keeping large trees away from overhead utility lines
- Mulch the soil. Bark, wood chips, decomposed granite or crushed rock reduce evaporation and weeds
- Use drip. UA recommends drip, a soaker hose or a slow trickle so water doesn't run off faster than soil absorbs it
- Harvest rainwater. It's one of the garden's own signage topics
How to Plant Desert Plants This Fall
UA's planting steps, condensed:
- Timing: late fall is ideal, except for frost-sensitive species; late spring is the runner-up
- Hole: three to five times as wide as the root ball and no deeper than its height
- Drainage test: fill the hole with water first; it should drain within 12 to 24 hours
- Backfill: native soil; keep the top of the root ball level with or slightly above grade, because planting too deep can cause crown rot
- Fertilizer: not required at planting
Watering New Plants
- Establishment: supplemental water for at least one growing season; plants are typically established in about two to three years
- Deep, not frequent: light, frequent watering builds shallow, weak roots; deep, less frequent watering builds drought tolerance
- Go wide: mature root zones can spread 1.5 to 4 times the width of a tree's canopy, so add emitters outward as plants grow
Removing Grass? Mind the October 31 Deadline
Scottsdale Water's single-family grass removal rebate pays $2 per square foot, up to $5,000. The current application window closes October 31, 2026, and you need a pre-inspection and Notice to Proceed before you remove any grass. The 500-square-foot minimum is waived if you remove all remaining grass. Full details are in our sister site's Scottsdale water rebates guide.
“I send buyers to the Xeriscape Garden all the time, because it answers the question every new owner of a 1960s or '70s 85250 ranch asks: what would this yard look like without the lawn? Walk it on a cool morning with your phone out, photograph the plants you love, and bring those pictures to your landscaper. A finished, low-water yard is also something today's buyers notice the moment they pull up.”
— Elizabeth Vijan, Tackett Team, eXp Realty
FAQ: The Xeriscape Garden and Desert Landscaping
Where is the Scottsdale Xeriscape Garden?
Inside Chaparral Park, 8111 E. McDonald Dr. Park off Hayden, just south of McDonald, by the dog park.
What is xeriscape landscaping?
A water-conserving landscape suited to the local environment, built on native and drought-resistant plants (UA Cooperative Extension).
When is the best time to plant desert landscaping in Phoenix and Scottsdale?
Late fall, per the UA, while soil is warm and air is cool.
Does Scottsdale pay you to remove grass?
Yes: $2 per sq. ft., up to $5,000. Apply by October 31, 2026, and get your Notice to Proceed first.
Planning a Yard Refresh Before You Sell?
If you're thinking about listing in 85250 this winter or spring, I'll walk your yard with you and help you decide what's worth doing now, from a simple refresh to a full low-water redesign, so your home makes a strong first impression.
Elizabeth Vijan | Tackett Team, eXp Realty
Chaparral Park Resident & 85250 Real Estate Expert
Plan My Pre-Listing Yard Refresh · Call or text 602-885-7752
Sources: City of Scottsdale: Xeriscape Garden at Chaparral Park · City of Scottsdale: Parks & Trees · UA Cooperative Extension: Care of Desert-Adapted Plants (AZ1048, PDF) · AMWUA: Landscaping with Style · Scottsdale Water: grass removal rebate application (PDF) · Scottsdale Water: residential rebates
Disclaimer: General landscaping information, not professional design or horticultural advice. Check your HOA's landscape rules and any city requirements before removing turf or changing irrigation. Rebate funds are limited and terms can change; confirm with Scottsdale Water. Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Equal Housing Opportunity.
