A good landscape design is pleasing to the eyes but it doesn't have to equate for an eye sore of a water bill. We always tend to put premium in aesthetics when it comes to home and landscaping design, when economy and incorporating eco-friendly concepts should be just as equally important in this day and age.

Here are some of the water-efficient ways for greener and wallet-friendly landscaping ideas.

Group your plants together.

While having the appropriate type of plants in accordance to your area is necessary, it is also practical to place and arrange your plants into groups in terms of their water requirements, says The Realty Times. This way, you'll be able to cut down on water consumption and time because you can just sprinkle onto larger area without under watering or oversupplying a certain plant.

It is also advisable to keep water-greedy plants further away from those which are easily-sated. Consider placing these water-greedy plants along the house structure where they can receive runoff water coming down the roof during rainfall.

Make use of as much mulch.

Mulches are protective bedding spread across the soil surfaces which could prove helpful in retaining the much needed moisture and water content. Topsoil, which doesn't have mulch, are exposed not just to the elements resulting to loss of moisture and possible soil erosion, but to weed which could take some water and nutrients away from the other plants.

According to SF Gates Home Guides, you can prevent up to 25 percent moisture loss with just two to four inches of mulch covering. Opt for organic mulches like wooden chips or bark shreds which don't absorb heat as much as their inorganic counterpart.

Incorporate the sunlight pattern into your design.

One of the smartest ways to cut back on water is to give heed to the sun exposure of your outdoors. Check on the areas where the sun shines the longest, and those which are shaded for the most part.

Equipped with this basic info, place those dry-soil plants in the more exposed areas while those plants which need more water should be in the shaded portion of your garden, says House Logic.

Choose the right plants.

Before buying the plants for your landscape, do your research first on the type of plants which grow and thrive naturally in your area. Not only are these plants drought-tolerant, but they are also low in maintenance as they could save you on fertilizers, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency.

These types of plants have adapted well into their environment in terms of its rainfall amount, soil type, and climate says House Logic.

Water in the morning.

The best time to water plants is early in the morning. Avoid watering during the middle part of the day when it's hot and evaporation is fast. "Morning watering gives the plants a good supply of water to face the heat of the day," according to University of Illinois Extension via the Micro Gardener. Do not water in the evening when there is no time to dry the moisture, increasing the risk of fungus growth.