Helix Water District selected the El Cajon entry by Mark and Terri L. as its 2026 WaterSmart Landscape Contest winner.

The couple transformed their yard into a water-efficient landscape with pops of yellow and purple. Coast Live Oak, Southern Live Oak, and an olive tree will provide shade and habitat when mature.

“We love the look and water efficiency of the yard and are enjoying all the birds, butterflies, lizards and other animals that visit,” Mark and Terri wrote on their application.

Renovation Inspired by Limestone Feature

Terri and Mark have owned their home since the 1990s and had grown tired of their brick façade. They also needed to address a drainage issue and tree roots buckling their driveway. Inspired by the limestone fireplace in their living room, Mark and Terri decided to carry its color and patterns outside.

In the spring of 2025, they replaced the driveway and had a custom block-style sidewalk poured in place.  The sidewalk provides a welcoming entrance to the house, which was lacking in the past when guests approached from the driveway.

Before the renovation, they had already let their grass die. As part of the hardscape work, two truckloads of dirt were hauled away, and the front yard was recontoured. In the process, all the roots from the prior grass were removed, and weeds have not been a problem.

The couple added a dry riverbed to cover the pipes from the French drains, which are around their house.

Research Assists In Final Design and Planting

Aside from the hardscape and having contractors dig the holes for the trees, Terri and Mark did all the planting and designing themselves.

“My wife does floral design and has a good eye for that; certain shapes, textures, and colors,” said Mark. “I did the extra research to make sure everything she wanted would grow well.”

Mark drew the yard on his computer, and the couple experimented with different designs. They also searched for inspiration. They are members of the Water Conservation Garden and asked questions at the Cuyamaca College Horticulture Department’s nursery.

They also checked out Helix Water District’s award-winning low-water landscaping, located at its administration office on University Avenue in La Mesa.

Native Plants Mix With Mediterranean Favorites

The plant palette included a wide variety of natives, Mediterranean, Australian and succulents. Lantana, yarrow, sages, and kangaroo paws provide flowers and color, while grasses and agaves provide structure.

Before planting, they brought a soil sample to City Farmer’s Nursery, which tested it for free and recommended soil amendments based on the types of plants. For example, the Leucadendron, also known as conebush, required pumice added to its planting hole to improve drainage.

They planted in fall 2025. “Once the weather warmed up and the spring rains arrived, everything took off,” said Mark.

The landscape is irrigated with drip tubing on a smart controller. The bare soil is covered with gorilla fur mulch.

Photos of Terri and Mark’s garden will be showcased at landscapecontest.com, alongside other regional winners, and on Helix Water District’s website at hwd.com

The WaterSmart landscape Contest runs from January through mid-May each year. To learn more, visit the Helix Water District’s website, Facebook.com/Helix Water, or X at @HelixWater.