WATER-WISE GARDENING T.D.F.
by michael brennan, licensed landscape architect and owner of urban green
ately I’ve seen a lot of homeowners attempt to convert their gardens to low-water-use landscapes. While some have done it well, others have left much to be desired. Let
this be your quick and dirty guide to not only saving water but improving curb appeal and creating some ecological function in your yard. Hands down the easiest way to save water, is to
ditch that lawn! Yes they are pretty, but I would argue that flowering plants, bunch grasses, trees and boul- ders are much more appealing. Aside from being a glutton for water, lawns take a lot of effort to mow and fertilize regularly. A good rule of thumb is that you should only have a lawn if you actively use it for recreation. Most don’t use their turf at all, so I suggest converting it to a planting area. Too drastic for you? Then consider reducing the overall size of your lawn, or converting it to a water-saving species such as UC Verde Buffalo Grass. Take inspiration from the natural canyons and hills
in our region; chances are they possess a beautiful mix of shrubs and trees that survive perfectly well with little maintenance. These plants thrive because they are native and already adapted to our region and local plants do just as well in your garden as they do in nature. Some of my favorites are California Wild Lilac with its dark green leaves and purple flowers; Toyon with its red winter berries and Island
50 RAGE monthly | MARCH 2012 | MARCH 2012
Bush Snapdragon with its striking red flowers. Native grasses should be mandatory for any “water- sipping” landscape. My favorites are Deer Grass with its bronze seed heads in fall and Canyon Prince Wild Rye for its dramatic silver foliage. Use some of these native plants in your garden and you will help to reclaim a patch of nature for birds and butterflies to adore. Going completely native with plant selection in
your yard is to be commended, but I like to mix in a few dependable Mediterranean species for added variety. If done correctly, you can achieve dramatic effect by planting the best of both worlds and save just as much water. Some of the best drought toler- ant plants I have come across include Gaura because it rarely takes a rest from blooming and “Hot Lips” Salvia because the flowers are just as racy as their name. Don’t be afraid to mix and match, but remem- ber to have consistency, use five or six varieties and place them in natural-looking masses. Trees are an integral part of home landscapes and their benefits are truly immeasurable. They provide
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