Drought tolerant plants
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Several drought tolerant plants are available at Mountain Nursery, including these succulents.
If you are planting a new landscape, drought tolerant plants are a viable option! I have many different Sedums to choose from, they are very low growing to 3' tall. One of the most drought tolerant plants in the nursery are sempervivum or "hen and chicks". Watering once a week or less would be plenty for this succulent.
Just remember "drought tolerant" does not mean NO water. Some other good choices are Manzanita. I have several varieties, Ceanothus, Artemisia tridentata ("mountain sage"), coffee berry, California buckwheat and Yucca ("our Lord's candle") whipplei. I have one palm tree that's hardy here, the Hesperaloe parviflora.
When first planted, most plants need watering every day for 5 to 7 days, just to get the soil around the plant moist, then go to every other day. Keep in mind that the water ordance adopted by the city states: "Outdoor irrigation of turf and ornamental landscaping shall be prohibited between the hours of 10 and 4 p.m. daily."
There are products to make water go further. Acrylic polymer ("Soil Moist" by name), is used by hydrating it first, then mixing it with your soil and amendments. This is very helpful with container planting by reducing the amount of water needed. Roots grow through the gel (polymar) and use water as needed.
Mulching is another way to conserve water. Be sure to mulch away from tree trunks to prevent "crown rot" and spray occasionally to prevent earwig infestation.
Please don't be discouraged. You have spent so much time and effort to have a nice yard. A few conservation efforts will save that yard.
Personally, I think this next year we will be back to a "normal water year" so don't make too many drastic changes! Happy gardening. See our ad on the front page of this issue for current specials.
