This group of native woody plants, with interesting red bark and urn-shaped flowers, is a gardener’s favorite. Making up a major portion of the chaparral hillsides, they are excellent choices for water-efficient landscapes. Many varieties are available ranging from groundcover to large shrubs and small trees.

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Here's something colorful for the perennial garden! The following plants have it all: They are water efficient, have attractive flowers in the spring, and remain or return each year. Adding any one to your garden will bring bright color and save on irrigation costs.

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This year has been another reminder of how Southern California neighborhoods and open spaces can burn during a wildfire. The following plants are included on the County of Los Angeles Fire Department’s list for fuel modification guidelines (download a copy at http://fire.lacounty.gov/Forestry/FuelModificationPlan.asp) and are approved for the area 20 feet beyond structures. They require little to moderate irrigation. From a fire defense angle, it is best if most plants in this area are low ground covers and shrubs.

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A turf lawn requires approximately 60” of water a year. That’s five feet! Save water by converting part of your lawn to California-friendly plants. When you reduce the amount of lawn, you’ll reduce your irrigation needs, provide habitat for native birds and insects, conserve water and save money.

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In order to reduce the amount of water used outdoors, consider a colorful “California-friendly” landscape with drought tolerant plants. This is especially important in times of little rain - you can create an attractive water-wise garden, save money, and help prevent urban runoff. The following are very drought tolerant once established.

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Freezing winter temperatures may have left their mark on your landscape with dead shrubs and brown patches. As you replant, consider using one of these hardy natives that are less prone to cold weather damage. They are also water efficient and will help reduce your irrigation costs.

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Here’s an array of waterwise plants with interesting blossoms; one or more of the following might catch your eye and brighten your garden. Whether featuring feathery fairy-duster tassels, orchid-like brilliance, or unusual structure, these four species are all rated as high to medium drought tolerant. And remember, your garden will benefit from our free Community Compost, available each Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. See our web site for more details!

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The cool wet months of winter are ideal for planting native species, as root systems can be established before the stress of summer begins. Gardeners can generally begin to reduce the amount of irrigation to new plantings in early spring. Try these colorful species to enjoy an attractive natural landscape.

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The climate in our area is perfect for growing Mediterranean herbs. Perennial herbs can add color, fragrance and culinary options (using edible varieties such as these) to your garden. The following require little irrigation once established.

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Plants near a pool or pond should be almost litter-free, have smooth branches, foliage, and flowers, and not be favorites of stinging insects. Here's a drought-tolerant selection that would enhance any landscape, with or without a water feature nearby.

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Even in our naturally arid area, ponds and water gardens can be designed to use California natives and will attract birds and other wildlife to your yard. These are some examples to use in a pond or nearby.

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Invasive plants out-compete native species for resources. They change the landscape, the protections it provides, and can be a nuisance, or worse. Be watchful that these invasives don’t begin to inhabit your landscape.

Visit these web sites for more information:
The Nature Conservancy at http://tncweeds.ucdavis.edu/index.html ~ California Invasive Plant Council at http://groups.ucanr.org/ceppc/Pest_Plant_List/.

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Commercial wildflower seed mixtures, available in various sizes of packets, provide wonderful surprises of color and a wild feel to areas of your landscape. These are a few that are often included.

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Planting a variety of lavender will provide blooms almost year round and the different foliage colors, growing habits, and fragrance make this group an outstanding waterwise addition to any local garden. Good drainage is the most important thing to establish for success with any lavender. They also like full sun and air space for circulation. In areas without summer rain, lavenders require some irrigation, more if grown in containers. Slow growing, lavenders reach full size in three years and benefit from annual pruning of flower stems and leaved-stems after the blooming season. For the best color and fragrance, wait until the flower buds have opened, and cut during the cool morning once any dew has dried.

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In Southern California we enjoy a Mediterranean climate with cool, wet winters and mostly hot, dry summers. Fire is a part of the natural cycle here. The keys to successful "Firewise Landscaping" are plant selection, plant placement, and maintenance. First, consider using plants that are high in water content and low in available fuel. Second, reduce mass plantings by spacing trees and large shrubs apart to prevent "fuel ladders". A "fuel ladder" is described as overlapping vegetation connecting ground level plants with shrub and tree canopies. And finally, maintain the landscape with proper trimming, removal of dead wood, and provide appropriate irrigation. The following are just a small sampling of what can be used to be fire safe and provide an attractive landscape.

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Water-wise plants that climb or can be trained to cover a wall or trellis are useful and attractive additions to any landscape. These selections are strong enough to climb and still be guided into position. With proper pruning and shaping, they will provide interesting color and texture backgrounds.

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Ideal for small balconies, paved patios, or as accent plants, plants in containers can be appreciated year round. They require more care (soil, water, fertilizers) than plants in the ground, but are worth the effort. Container gardening also provides a way to grow species not suited for local garden conditions. Waterwise plants, including shrubs and small trees, adapt well to container-life; clip back leggy growth for best results.

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Living next to wildlife can be exciting -- and frustrating, especially if they are eating your landscape. Deer are well adapted to browse flowers, shrubs and trees. With some planning, you can avoid providing a "deer buffet" and still enjoy the beauty of water-wise plants. In general, deer do not like plants that are prickly, spicy, bitter, tough, hairy, highly aromatic, or furry. However, when natural food for deer is scarce, nothing is safe!

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Many types of flower bulbs and corms do well in Southern California. They are worth the effort to locate as they do not require coaxing to bloom and many easily naturalize. Truly gems for the garden, they add variety, require little water or maintenance.

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Grasses add so much to the garden - dramatic backgrounds, soft edges, interesting foliage colors, textures ranging from spiky to soft and silky. Some varieties are very drought tolerant.

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Garden hedges, either clipped into timmed living walls or left more informal, add interest to any landscape. These attractive water-wise shrubs will help define a boundary, create a screen, present a background for the rest of your garden, and save on water needs.

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Do you have highly visible garden spots along a fence, a driveway, or a sidewalk that are parched or often trampled? You can turn these inhospitable areas into oases with plants that need little care or water. Planting a variety of bulbs, evergreen perennials and shrubs, or ornamental grasses will create an eye-pleasing bright spot in the garden. Consider selecting water-wise species that fill in quickly and, once established remain low enough to not block traffic views.

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Stars of the western garden, sage varieties grow as annual bedding plants, perennials in the border, shrubs and ground covers. They also come in a variety of foliage and blossom colors. Sunset’s “Western Garden Book” highlights 55 of the best choices. Blossom colors range from white, to yellow, to pink or scarlet, to pale lavender, true blue, or dark purple. All have a common floral arrangement with whorls of two-lipped flowers either distinctly spaced along the stalk or tightly crowded to appear as one dense spike. The foliage offers a wide range of scents, from sweet or flavorful to strong and the characteristic aroma will catch gentle breezes in the air. Routine trimming will keep them attractive year-round in the cultured garden. Most are highly drought tolerant and will do well with little to no summer irrigation once established. They are excellent for erosion control on slopes, or for hot, dry locations on the edges of more routinely irrigated areas. Many are favorites of hummingbirds and butterflies.

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Easier to grow locally than anywhere else in the world, most penstemons are drought tolerant -- and there are more than 250 species of penstemons; most are native to the western states. Some varieties prefer the desert heat; others the cooler mountainsides and many thrive in mild coastal zones. All require at least six hours of sun daily, well-drained soil that is loose and gravelly, and most are drought tolerant. Usually short-lived (3 to 4 years), too much water and too rich a soil will accelerate their decline. Penstemons all have tubular flowers that come in a variety of colors ranging from indigo blue to red/orange to pink, with foliage colors that vary also. Any selection will be a welcome addition to the landscape and will attract hummingbirds as well.

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With a focus on water conservation, consider these drought-tolerant ground cover species as companions or extensions of traditional turf zones in your landscape. Some landscapes require a neat and unobtrusive appearance; in other situations erosion control is the main function. Ground covers can satisfy many landscape needs. Some can hug the soil or grow into mounds up to 3 feet high and many require minimal maintenance so you save time as well as water. Decide on your specific needs and then enjoy!

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Fragrance from plants is just one of the pleasant benefits of having a garden. Some plants have a mild and pleasant aroma while others may be strong and pungent, depending on individual noses. Oils in the leaves, stems or petals are responsible for what we smell. Warm air and moisture enhance a plant's fragrance, but even with the hot, dry weather often experienced in local summer, a fragrant garden can still be a treat for the nose. Fragrant plants in containers or beneath a window will provide a sweet or spicy scent that can waft into the house. These four are some of the more unusual choices and are also suitable for the water-efficient landscape.

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These selections are just a sampling of native plants that offer the wonderful combination of springtime blooms and their attractiveness to various stages of the butterfly lifecycle. They also will add a variety of textures, colors, and shapes to the landscape and are efficient users of water. Butterfly larvae (caterpillars) need food plants and adults need nectar varieties. Sunny areas that are protected from the wind will be the most appealing to the local and migrating "flutter-bys". Avoid pesticides unless you can target the garden pest without harming these interesting visitors.

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It takes a special plant to successfully grow beneath one of our local oak trees. Not only do they have to tolerate shade from the broad tree canopy, but they also need to thrive in the dry conditions that are essential for the oak's survival in the dry periods of the year. When planting under an oak remember to not plant, irrigate, or disturb the soil within 10 feet of the trunk, and avoid injuring the roots. Also, plant sparingly; use drip irrigation or soaker hoses, not sprinklers. And finally, it is best to not plant under declining older oaks.

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The best time to add any California native plants to your landscape is during the cooler moist time of year. This season provides an ideal climate for young natives, especially young trees, to get established. Soils are still warm from summer and the roots can spread and grow. Often you will not see much growth above the ground, but by spring and next summer your trees will be well established. Depending on their natural requirements, some trees will require more water than others. Trees are an investment in your future - aesthetically and as cooling sunshades for your home and yard.

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Have you shied away from drought tolerant native plants in the belief they become less attractive in the warmer months? Here are a few suggestions that will bring sprays of color to your landscaping, save on irrigation costs and attract wildlife. That´s a three-for-one bonus!

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Looking for plants that thrive in hot dry temperatures? Try these water-efficient, drought tolerant selections for added variety in your landscaping and savings on your water and energy bills.

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Want to avoid erosion and runoff on your property next rainy season? Try putting in some native plants to stabilize the soils, control erosion and reduce your future irrigation costs. Moist and cool months are ideal to start these "soil keepers". Once established they will require little irrigation, as many are drought tolerant. A mixture of plants is best, as the various root depths help to hold up a slope.

Here are some attractive natives to consider for new landscapes or to add into your garden. In addition, a sprinkling of native seeds will add to the immediate coverage of your slope.

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