Landscapers are increasingly turning to drought-tolerant landscaping as a way to preserve resources and save costs. With the increasing frequency of wildfires in California, the need to conserve water is even more critical. Here is a list of some top choices for drought-tolerant trees and shrubs for Northern and Southern California for front yard landscaping, public areas, and landscaping for graded/sloped areas.

Top Drought-Tolerant Plants for Front Yard Landscaping in California

There are a few basic things to consider when selecting plants for the front yard:

• Choose plants that stay contained and compact; unwieldy and woody plants make a yard feel small and less tidy.


• Go for plants that will please year-round, such as evergreens or deciduous plants and trees with good branching structures.


• Consider varied texture and color. Mix grass and agave (fine vs. bold) or blend green and variegated plants.


• Go with plants that echo the architecture, i.e. Spanish vs. Cottage.

Northern California

Trees

• Redbud: This thrifty water-user produces brilliant spring blossoms.


• Tabebuia: Sometimes called pink or golden trumpet trees because of its trumpet-shaped blossoms.


• Arbutus 'marina:' This is a broadleaf evergreen tree which requires minimal care.

Shrubs and Groundcover

• Myoporum 'pink' (as a lawn substitute): This is a deer-resistant groundcover which grows in sun or shade and produces tiny, pink flowers in the summer.


• Callistemon 'Little John:' A mid-sized, red flowering evergreen shrub.


• Coffeeberry: Member of the buckthorn family with shiny, dark leaves and reddish berries.

Southern California

Trees

• Olea 'wilsonii:' This is a fruitless olive tree with no mess.


• Carolina laurel: Producing deep green foliage, this is a spring-flowering tree.


• Rhus lancea: Commonly called African sumac, its an evergreen with sword-shaped leaves.

Shrubs and Groundcover

• Sedges and Salvias: These both add color to the landscape and are pollinators.


• Agave: Tough-as-nails and adds nice texture and contrast.


• Dymondia (as a lawn substitute): This groundcover, often refered to as mini-gazania, grows flat to the ground.

Top Drought-Tolerant Plants for Public Space Landscaping in California

It goes without saying that public space landscapes need to be hardy, but these spaces also need to be an attractive visual endorsement for the commercial or pubic property they surround. Public space landscaping also requires higher maintenance, so keep these things in mind:

• Choose plants which can withstand heavy traffic.


• Consider the plant's year-round appeal.


• Select plants with high visual interest; plants with showy foliage, such as succulents and purple grasses, or plants with showy bark, such as Manzanitas and Arbutus.

Northern California

Trees

• Desert Willow: Called a "willow" because of the shape of the leaves. It is related to the Catalpa.


• Acacia aneura: This tree is commonly known as "mulga," or "true mulga."


• Citrus: These trees take a lot of specific nutrients, but not a lot of water.

Shrubs and Groundcover

• Lamb's Ears: This plant is soft and velvety in texture and deer-resistant.


• Groundcover roses: Baby Blanket or the ever-hardy White Meidiland are great groundcover options.


• Bioswale plants such as Juncus and Carex: Perfect for use in low points within the landscape to help clean the rain runoff before it enters streams and the ocean.

Southern California

Trees

• California Bay: These large hardwood trees native to California's coastal forests.


• Catalina Cherry: Evergreen that produces red berries and showy, white flowers in the spring.


• Crape Myrtle: Blooming mid- to late summer, this tree comes in various shades of pink.

Shrubs and Groundcover

• Ribes: The genus contains about 150 species, several of which are native to California.


• Achillea: Also known as yarrow, legend has it that it was gifted to the war hero, Achilles, by the Olympian gods to help quell the bleeding of his soldiers during the Trojan War.


• Fremontodendron: Best time to plant is late autumn.

Top Drought-Tolerant Plants for Graded/Slope Landscaping in California

Most of the remaining developable land in California is located on hillsides and landscaping such sites takes careful consideration. In addition, much of this land borders natural open spaces, so planting native allows the area to regenerate and flow seamlessly into neighboring areas while also conserving valuable water resources. Think about these basic factors when developing graded landscapes or slopes:

• If exposure to wildfires is an issue, plant the most fire-resistant plants closest to structures and emanate outward.


• If possible, convert the area back to native plants. It saves money, water, and the maintenance associated with more exotic landscapes.


• Think about tighter spacing and more showy plants to enhance trail edges and parkways.

Northern California

Trees

• Oaks: Valley Oaks and Coast Live Oaks are able to withstand the long, dry summers of California. It is best to plant oaks young as any major change in its environment can weaken or kill it, no matter how healthy it is.


• Redwoods: A California icon, it is adaptable to most soil conditions. Word to the wise: these are very fast-growing trees, so plant with that in mind.


• California Christmas Tree: Also known as Deodar Cedar. Allow plenty of room around these fast-growing trees to best display its stately shape.

Shrubs and Groundcover

• Ceanothus: This plant composes about 50 to 60 species. Try Ceanothus Yankee point and Concha.


• Manzanitas: There are lots of varieties of these shrubs that work well in cooler climates.


• Echium: "Pride of Madera" is the common name. This plant is very showy and tough.


• Encelia californica: This shrub is commonly referred to as "California bush sunflower."

Southern California

Trees

• Native Walnut varieties: Juglans nigra, also known as Black Walnut, originated in Persia, but thrive in Southern California's dry conditions.


• Oaks: There are over 20 species of native California oaks, from shrubby species which only grow a few feet to the mighty oak trees. Many species of native oaks are not regenerating adequately in California, which in turn threatens the oak forests themselves and the wildlife that use them as resources.


• Sycamore (plant at base of slopes): This is one of the largest hardwood trees. It's great for shade.

Shrubs and Groundcover

• Baccharis: This plant is in the aster family It is sometimes referred to as "brooms" because of the plant's small, thin leaves.


• Acacia: Named by Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus after the African species Acacia nilotica.


• Yucca or Opuntias: These are great for adding focal points and sculptural shapes.


• Deer Grass: Grows in dense clumps with spiky flower stalks and creates striking forms in a landscape.

After making an effort to conserve water and be environmentally friendly, did you have the unfortunate experience of losing your new drought tolerant, native plants? 

Here are five reasons why your drought tolerant, native plants likely died:

Fact: All Plants Need Some Water

Your plants may be drought tolerant, but unless they are petroleum based (plastic), silk, or preserved, they are still going to need some water.

Fact: All Plants Need More Water When They are First Planted

Established plants require less water than newly installed plants and irrigation systems are often “dialed back” for the established plants to conserve water. Since new plants are often added around the current plants, irrigation cycles for existing plants may not provide enough water for the new plants to establish themselves. Before you increase your irrigation, continue reading as too much water can be a problem as well. 

Fact: Too Much Water Will Kill a Drought Tolerant, Native Plant

Most people tend to overwater, especially when they see a plant wilting. Did you know a plant will also “wilt” when overwatered? The difference is in the leaf: a plant with insufficient water will be crispy while the leaf of a plant with too much water will be moist. Here are some other ways to find out if you are overwatering your plants.

Fact: Not All Native Plants are Meant to be Planted Wherever

As we say in the landscape business, “Right Plant, Right Place.” Before you place a new native plant, find out where the plant is found in nature. Does it like the sun or shade? Does it prefer moist conditions? Salt tolerance is important if you live near the coast or irrigate with reclaimed water (especially with drip irrigation). The soil type makes a difference as some plants like high organic content, which may not exist in your landscape if your topsoil was removed during construction in the last 10 to 15 years.

Fact: Sometimes Plants Die ― Even Drought Tolerant, Native Plants

Sometimes your plants die, but there is usually a  core reason. 

Your newly installed plants can have a higher mortality rate due to transplant shock, which is one reason why companies and nurseries have a warranty on their plants.

Once your new plant is established, Mother Nature takes over. Critters (insects, rodents, dogs, etc.) will suck, chew, or urinate on your plants, resulting in its death. Diseases require very specific conditions and can come and go, but when the micro climate is optimal, a disease can become a major problem. The good news is that only specific species are usually victimized.

Some plants will just die of old age. How many years does a plant live? It depends on the plant. As a general rule, trees live longer than shrubs, which live longer than perennials. Annuals are usually just for show or seasonal agriculture.

Often, a combination of reasons will result in your plant’s death. A primary issue may weaken your plant and cause a chain reaction with one problem leading to another.

Whether you're located in areas where drought has taken its toll or you're just looking to create a more sustainable landscape, replacing turf with less water-intensive alternatives is smart. To help jumpstart your thinking, we've gathered some water-wise options — from easy to more elaborate — for turf conversion projects.

Plant Xeriscape-Friendly Shrubs

Removing turf completely and replacing it with clusters of low-water-use shrubs, such as Abelia, Phormium, Coleonema, Nandina's, and Oleanders, can be an attractive option. Of course, when choosing among these drought-tolerant plants, consider how they'll blend in with your existing landscape and whether the finished look jibes with your long-term vision for your property. You don't want the area to look like an ill-planned patch job, so take the time to think about this.

Extend Existing Shrubbery to Replace Turf

If it works aesthetically with your landscape, you could remove the turf and simply extend surrounding or adjacent shrub beds with similar plantings. The only downside to this alternative is if the shrubbery you're extending isn't water wise. In that case, this might not gain you better water management or a very updated look.

Blend Xeriscape-Friendly Shrubs with Existing Shrubbery

Mixing it up is a smart transitional approach. Go ahead and remove the turf and extend the existing shrubbery while adding in some low water-use shrubs into the mix. This is an appealing option as it updates tired, worn-out shrubbery that has grown woody and scores points for smart water management.

Convert the Space by Adding Hardscape

Finally, one of the smartest moves in terms of water management is to think long-term and incorporate decomposed granite, cobblestone, or some kind of decorative paver or stone, as well as drought-tolerant plantings, into the area you're rehabbing.

Obviously you'll want to consider the surroundings, traffic patterns, and your overall landscape before doing this. But if this move is simpatico with your landscape, it's a water efficient and attractive choice. It's also the costliest, but money spent on this project could be savings gained in terms of water use and increased property value.

Consider Changing to Drip Irrigation

While you’re converting your turf, you might also consider removing overhead spray or rotor sprinklers and replacing them with drip irrigation. Depending on the area you're renovating and the existing configuration for your landscape and irrigation system, this could be challenging. But if your budget allows it and the change will work, the water cost savings could be worth it.

Help Fund Your Project with Rebates

When undertaking turf conversion projects, it pays to check with your local water authority to see if your project qualifies for any of the cash-for-grass rebate programs. Typically these programs require that you replace grass with qualified low water-use plants and xeriscaping. Every rebate program differs, so check in with your local water authority before undertaking any extensive turf replacement work.

The Right Thing for Your Budget and the Planet

Replacing green lawn with low water-use plants and/or hardscaping doesn't have to be an aesthetic sacrifice. As noted above, there are lots of ways to go about it and the results can help to modernize your landscape, reduce long-term maintenance costs, and, done well, increase your property value.