Landscaping for Falcon's Wide-Open Properties
Falcon is a rapidly growing census-designated place east of Colorado Springs, where prairie grassland meets the expanding edge of the metro area. Located approximately 20 minutes northeast of our Holbein Drive office, Falcon represents one of the fastest-developing communities in El Paso County. The area is characterized by its wide-open terrain, large residential lots, and a transition zone between suburban development and rural ranchland.
What sets Falcon apart from other communities we serve is the scale of properties. Many Falcon homes sit on half-acre to multi-acre parcels, giving homeowners significantly more outdoor space to work with — and significantly more landscape to maintain. This scale demands a different design philosophy than the compact suburban lots in Colorado Springs proper. We create landscape plans for Falcon properties that concentrate premium features — patios, outdoor kitchens, fire pits — in defined outdoor rooms near the home, while managing the broader acreage with low-maintenance native grasses, xeriscaping, and strategic windbreak plantings.
The two dominant communities in Falcon are Meridian Ranch and Woodmen Hills, each with distinct lot sizes, HOA requirements, and design expectations. We work extensively in both and understand their specific architectural review processes.
Falcon Neighborhoods We Serve
Meridian Ranch
Meridian Ranch is Falcon's premier master-planned community, featuring over 5,000 homes with access to the Antler Creek Golf Course and extensive trail systems. Lots here range from quarter-acre to half-acre, with newer sections pushing into previously undeveloped prairie. The Meridian Ranch Metropolitan District manages common areas and enforces landscape covenants that require front yards to be irrigated and maintained. We work within these requirements while designing water-efficient systems that minimize waste — drip irrigation zones for planting beds, high-efficiency rotator heads for turf areas, and smart controllers that adjust to weather conditions automatically.
Woodmen Hills
Woodmen Hills sits north of Meridian Ranch and features larger lots — typically a third-acre to one acre — with a more relaxed architectural review process. Many Woodmen Hills properties back up to open space or undeveloped parcels, creating a semi-rural setting that homeowners value. Landscape designs here often incorporate native prairie restoration along property edges, transitioning from a manicured zone near the home into natural grassland that requires no irrigation or mowing. The Woodmen Hills Metropolitan District operates its own water system, and we coordinate with their regulations on outdoor water use.
Rural Falcon and Acreage Properties
Beyond the planned communities, Falcon includes substantial unincorporated El Paso County acreage — properties of 2.5, 5, and 35 acres where horses, livestock, and agricultural use blend with residential living. Landscaping these properties requires a ranch-scale approach: gravel driveways with proper crown and drainage, fenced garden areas protected from wind and wildlife, functional outdoor spaces near the home, and native revegetation for disturbed areas. Many of these properties rely on well water, making irrigation system design critical — every gallon counts when your water supply is finite.
Why Falcon Landscaping Requires Local Expertise
Falcon's position on the eastern plains of El Paso County creates landscaping conditions that differ markedly from the sheltered neighborhoods west of I-25. Wind exposure is the single biggest factor — Falcon properties experience sustained winds of 20-30 mph with gusts exceeding 50 mph during spring storms. This constant wind strips moisture from soil and plants, topples newly planted trees without proper staking, and drives topsoil erosion on exposed lots. Every Falcon landscape we design incorporates wind mitigation: bermed planting beds, windbreak rows using Eastern Red Cedar and Austrian Pine, and hardscape wind screens that create protected microclimates for outdoor living areas.
Well water is common throughout rural Falcon and parts of the planned communities. Properties on well systems have finite water allocation, making every aspect of irrigation design critical. We install drip irrigation for all planting beds, separate zones for turf and non-turf areas, and rain/freeze sensors that prevent waste. For acreage properties with limited well output, we design landscapes that reserve irrigated areas for the immediate home zone and use dry-land native plantings for everything beyond.
The soil in Falcon is predominantly clay with a high expansion coefficient — one of the worst in the Pikes Peak region for hardscape stability. Combined with the area's extreme temperature swings (100-degree summer days and -20-degree winter nights), proper base engineering under every patio, walkway, and retaining wall is non-negotiable. We excavate a full 8 inches below grade in Falcon for most hardscape projects, compared to the 6-inch standard in western El Paso County.
Falcon Landscaping FAQ
Yes, and this is one of the most common requests we handle in Falcon. We design landscapes with distinct irrigation zones: a "high-water" zone immediately around the home for patios, foundation plantings, and a limited turf area, and "no-water" or "low-water" zones beyond that boundary using native grasses, xeriscaping, and rock mulch. Drip irrigation, smart controllers, and pressure-regulated heads ensure every gallon from your well is used efficiently. We can also integrate rainwater harvesting where El Paso County regulations allow.
Wind protection in Falcon starts at the design phase. We position windbreak plantings on the west and southwest sides of outdoor living areas using species with proven wind tolerance: Eastern Red Cedar, Austrian Pine, and Rocky Mountain Juniper. New trees are triple-staked with flexible ties and monitored through their first two seasons. We also use temporary wind barriers during establishment and select smaller caliper trees (2-3 inch) that develop stronger root systems in windy conditions than larger transplants. For hardscape areas, we incorporate solid-wall features like masonry seat walls and screen walls that block prevailing winds.
Yes. Meridian Ranch requires architectural review committee approval for most exterior modifications, including hardscape additions, tree removal, and changes to front-yard landscaping. We prepare the complete submittal package with site plans, material specifications, and drainage documentation. We are familiar with Meridian Ranch's design guidelines and know which materials, plant species, and layout configurations are consistently approved. This experience helps avoid delays and resubmittals that can push your project timeline back by weeks.
Ready to Landscape Your Falcon Property?
Get a free estimate for your Falcon home or acreage. We serve Meridian Ranch, Woodmen Hills, and all unincorporated Falcon areas.