Plant a Beautiful Water-Wise Garden
How Do I Plant a Beautiful California Friendly Garden and Reduce my Water Bills?
With California friendly plants it’s possible to reduce outdoor watering without
sacrificing beauty. California friendly landscaping is specifically designed for
areas that have limited supply of water. Choosing plants that do not belong in
our climate can result in constant pest problems and raise water bills. California
native plants have grown here naturally therefore they are the easiest to grow in
our mild winters and hot summers. California friendly plants are plants chosen from
around the world with climate similar to ours. Once established they’re durable and healthy
without requiring constant watering. Besides using less water, native plants have
the benefit of attracting butterflies and birds, along with reducing the use of
pesticides and other chemicals.
How Do I Start my Own California Friendly Garden?
The first thing you will need to do is take a look at your existing landscape.
Where can you reduce turf (grass) and plant California friendly plants instead?
Turf needs weekly care. Once you lower the amount of turf, you lower maintenance
and the cost of watering to maintain turf. Many of the California native plants
don’t need as much water or care and still look great. For the health of your
plants and to be water-wise, remember to water your plants occasionally and deeply
instead of watering them frequently and quickly. The overall goal is for you to
enjoy an easy-care garden without worrying about wasting water.
Where Can I Find native and California Friendly Plants?
California native plants are not limited to cacti and succulents there are lots of
choices that at first may be a little overwhelming. To view a list that represents
the most reliable drought tolerant plants visit
bewaterwise.
Also visit your local nursery and ask staff to help you choose the best CA native
plants for your garden. Each local nursery has a CA native plant section. To transform
your yard into a California Friendly Garden, follow the 7 principles of xeriscaping
from eartheasy and
visit sunset.com for more ideas and information.
To see a listing of the most popular CA Friendly plants
click here.
Get Inspired by California Friendly Gardens in Glendale Designed by Volunteers from Our City
- Monterey Community Garden on 870 Monterey Rd.
- California Friendly Garden at Glorietta Park (corner of Verdugo Rd. & Glorietta)
Visit the Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden, 1500 N.
College Avenue in Claremont and the Theodore Payne
Foundation, 10459 Tuxford Street in Sun Valley to view existing California Native Plant
Nurseries also both of these groups and the California Native
Plants Society hold annual plant sales.
Two books to check out on California Native Plants:
- California Native Plants for the Garden by Carol Bornstein, David Fross and Bart O'Brien
- Care and Maintenance of Southern California Native Plant Gardens by Bart O'Brien, Betsey
Landis and Ellen Mackey