The winning 2025 OMWD landscape project features native plants and is both drought tolerant and fire resistant. Photo: Olivenhain Municipal Water DistrictEncinitas Resident Wins OMWD 2025 Landscape Contest
Encinitas resident Ramona Copley’s landscape makeover project was selected by the Olivenhain Municipal Water District as the 2025 winner of the annual WaterSmart Landscape Contest. The OMWD board honored Copley at its June board meeting.
Salvias provide plenty of color in the winning landscape design. Photo: Olivenhain Municipal Water District
“To reduce our water use, my husband and I wanted to transform our yard of trees and grass into a low-water-use garden,” said Copley about the motivation behind their project.
Design Is Drought-Tolerant and Fire-Resistant
The dry creek bed is a major feature in the new landscape design. Photo: Olivenhain Municipal Water District
Copley’s landscape design features a dry creek bed, drip irrigation using a smart controller, blue fescue grass, and a variety of colorful plants, including orange kangaroo paw, purple salvia, and red autumn sage. The garden features several plants native to our region that are both drought-tolerant and fire-resistant, such as California lilac, white rockrose, and Cleveland sage.
“Drought-tolerant landscaping helps conserve San Diego’s water supply,” said OMWD board secretary Christy Guerin. “Mrs. Copley’s landscape offers a good example of an appealing design, climate-appropriate plant selection, and water-efficient irrigation.”
Plant choices are both drought-tolerant and fire-resistant. Photo: Olivenhain Municipal Water District
“We receive many compliments,” said Copley, “and I enjoy taking in the view as I sit in the front yard.
“I am proud to say that my water bill has not changed since we installed the garden. The bill is the same as it was when the yard contained only dirt, while we planned the project and found a landscaper for the design I had in mind,” added Copley.
Countywide Contest Inspires Homeowners
Award-winning landscape projects offer inspiration to other homeowners pursuing their own landscape makeovers. Photo: Olivenhain Municipal Water District
Since 2006, the county-wide contest has encouraged residential water agency customers to showcase their water-wise landscapes. OMWD is one of 12 water agencies participating in the contest. Each agency selects a winning landscape.
Winners selected by San Diego County Water Authority member agencies throughout the county, and a wide range of landscape resources are available at www.landscapecontest.com.
