Tag Archive for: Native Plants

The Water Authority created updated Nifty 50 and Happy 100 plant lists to help homeowners and builders select plants for their projects. Photo: Water Authority plant list

New Plant Lists Help Homeowners Create A Beautiful, Sustainable Garden

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Deciding to undertake a landscape makeover involves many choices. Choosing your new landscape plants is one of your most enjoyable tasks. But walking into your local nursery can present so many choices that it’s overwhelming. What plants work best in the San Diego climate regions, and which ones use water efficiently?

San Diego County Water Authority Senior Water Resources Specialist Debby Dunn created two convenient plant lists homeowners can use to help them choose plants that will thrive and look beautiful in your new landscape with minimal irrigation.

Nifty 50 Plant List Gets A Makeover

The Nifty 50 is all new with update plant choices and helpful information. Photo: Water Authority plant list

The Nifty 50 is all new with update plant choices and helpful information. Photo: Water Authority

The Nifty 50 Plant list has helped San Diegans pick good plants for our climate for many years. It was recently updated with new choices. “Not only do the style of plants change over time, like many things do, but some plants become less hearty due to pests and disease,” said Dunn.

“Feedback from local nurseries and state mandates regarding non-functional turf led Water Authority staff to update the list. We focused on low- and very low-water plants. Half of the plants on the new list are native, and 98%  invite pollinators.”

The Nifty 50 list offers care tips and a checklist to help you make the right choices for your project. Photo: Water Authority

The Nifty 50 list offers care tips and a checklist to help you make the right choices for your project. Photo: Water Authority

The Nifty 50 list includes a 10-step checklist for plant selection and care tips to help your new plants thrive.

Happy 100 Plant List Addresses Commercial Designs

Superb Grevillea is featured on the Happy 100 list. It's a great choice for year-round, eye-catching flowers with lush, evergreen foliage. It grows quickly in well-draining soils. Good for cut flowers, and attracts birds, bees and hummingbirds. Photo: Water Authority plant list

Superb Grevillea is featured on the Happy 100 list. It’s a great choice for year-round, eye-catching flowers with lush, evergreen foliage. It grows quickly in well-draining soils. Good for cut flowers, and attracts birds, bees and hummingbirds. Photo: Water Authority

The State of California has new regulations banning commercial turf grass in areas where it is ornamental or “nonfunctional.” To help commercial landscapers adhere to the new guidelines, Dunn and the Water Authority staff created a new, more comprehensive plant list called the Happy 100 Plant List.

The list actually contains 103 low and very low-water using plants, with specific information about  each plant.  These plant choices are well suited to landscapes for homeowner association common areas, public parks, and commercial buildings.

Bonus List For Black Thumbs: The Sturdy 30

Beautiful Cleveland Sage (Salvia clevelandii) is a "Sturdy 30" list choice. The evergreen shrub has soft green/gray to silvery fragrant foliage with spring flowers. Its flowers and seeds attract birds, bees,butterflies, and hummingbirds. Photo: Water Authority

Beautiful Cleveland Sage (Salvia clevelandii) is a “Sturdy 30” list choice. The evergreen shrub has soft green/gray to silvery fragrant foliage with spring flowers. Its flowers and seeds attract birds, bees,
butterflies, and hummingbirds. Photo: Water Authority

To help gardeners who need easygoing plants that will tolerate a little neglect, Dunn created a special list from the Happy 100 named the “Sturdy 30.” By sorting the online Happy 100 database, the 30 suggested plants sort into their own list.

The Happy 100 plant database can be sorted by plant common name, plant botanic name, light requirements, size at maturity, bloom color and bloom season, and which plants are native to California. Pruning and maintenance information helps homeowners care for their plants as they mature.

Prioritizing Pollinators In Your Landscaping 

Prioritizing pollinators with your plant choise such as Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) provides healthy habitat. Photo: Water Authority

Prioritizing pollinators with your plant choices, such as Yarrow (Achillea millefolium), provides healthy habitat. Photo: Water Authority

Numerous plants support the life cycle of butterflies, including the threatened monarch butterfly. Plant several in the garden to help the larvae and caterpillars as well as the full-grown, nectar-seeking adults. The Happy 100 notes which plant choices attract pollinators and which pollinators favor each plant choice.

Choosing pollinator-friendly plants allows checks and balances in a garden. You can attract insects and creatures, which will help maintain the health of a garden without pesticides.

“Lush, water-wise, pollinating plants in our landscapes cool and clean the air, invite and feed pollinators, enhance the beauty of our homes and businesses, and lift our spirits. Consider adding a few (dozen) to your landscape today,” recommended Dunn.

Dunn has worked with thousands of people seeking gardening advice and realized they need detailed plant lists to help create water-wise, year-round blooming gardens that would fit their visual preferences and maintenance needs. Dunn sought input from dozens of local landscape professionals in the nursery and design field, ultimately making a list that anyone can use and enjoy the results.

The Nifty 50 Plant List

The Happy 100 Plant List 

 

The Cervantes family landscape makeover replaced grass with a beautiful native habitat. Photo: Sweetwater Authority

Beautiful Habitat Named Sweetwater Authority Landscape Makeover Winner

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Laura and Jaime Cervantes knew they wanted to conserve water but still wanted a functional and eye-catching design for their landscape.

Laura and Jaime Cervantes invested careful planning and hands-on work in their landscape makeover project. Photo: Sweetwater Authority

Laura and Jaime Cervantes invested careful planning and hands-on work in their landscape makeover project. Photo: Sweetwater Authority

The transformation from thirsty turf to a beautiful habitat is the 2024 Sweetwater Authority Landscape Contest winner.

The regional WaterSmart Landscape Contest allows residential water agency customers to showcase their waterwise landscapes. Customers submit applications to their respective water agencies, and each agency selects a landscape that best meets the elements of waterwise landscaping. These elements include:

  • Overall attractiveness
  • Appropriate plant selection and maintenance
  • Design
  • Efficient irrigation methods

Patient Planning and Prep Pays Off

The front yard prior to its makeover. Photo: Sweetwater Authority

The front yard before its makeover. Photo: Sweetwater Authority

They planned and worked hard to eventually transform their front yard from thirsty turf into a space that not only required little water but also provided beauty and habitat.

“This rationale behind our landscape project was a no-brainer: we live in a desert, we need to conserve water, and we wanted a functional yet eye-catching design, said Laura and Jaime Cervantes.

“Although we’ve lived in our house for 11 years, it took us a long time to save up for and to plan our ideas, but we finally completed everything about two years ago.”

The completed landscape makeover. Photo: Sweetwater Authority

The completed landscape makeover. Photo: Sweetwater Authority

The transformed landscape includes low-water use plants such as Kangaroo Paw, Orange Bulbine, and Coral Pink Sage, along with various succulents. The yard also features a beautiful Palo Verde tree, which provides nice shade.

Plant Selection Drives Design Choices

A winding dry riverbed retains water overflow from numerous rain barrels. Photo: Sweetwater Authority landscape makeover

A winding dry riverbed retains water overflow from numerous rain barrels. Photo: Sweetwater Authority

The Cervantes family had a large front yard for their canvas, composed mainly of old turf.

“We transformed it by replacing the old turf with a much smaller area of drought-tolerant Bermuda grass,” they explained. “We wanted plants that not only require little water but also provide beauty and habitat.”

The new walkway was created from flagstone and decomposed granite. A winding dry riverbed retains water overflow from numerous rain barrels.

A new fence allows views of the new landscape both inside and outside to complete the picture. It also acts as a graffiti deterrent due to the hog wire and wood construction.

Unexpected Benefits From Landscape Makeover

Colorful containers and plant choices highlight the new front yard. Photo: Sweetwater Authority

Colorful containers and plant choices highlight the new front yard. Photo: Sweetwater Authority

The Cervantes irrigate their yard using rainwater captured from their 14 rain barrels. They water by hand to get out into the sunshine and enjoy the beauty of their landscape. “We have no automated system – I like to get out in the yard and in the sunshine, so watering by hand is something I really enjoy,” said Laura Cervantes.

The winners reported an unexpected and pleasant outcome of their new yard from the nice comments and conversations it elicited from people walking by.

“It is a great feeling to not only add beauty to our neighborhood but also to know that we are able to contribute in our own small way towards being good stewards of the environment,” said Laura and Jaime Cervantes.

Members (name) and Judy Fizzard of the Bernardo Gardeners group at the ribbon cutting for the new Vallecitos Water District Native Plant Seed Library. Photo: Chris Robbins, Vallecitos Water District

Vallecitos Water District Opens Audubon Society Native Plant Seed Library

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Biodiversity is increasingly threatened, making habitat preservation a priority. Recognizing the need for action, the Vallecitos Water District partnered with the San Diego Audubon Society to launch the Native Plant Seed Library, a groundbreaking program aimed at safeguarding botanical heritage.

The library ensures the region’s botanical heritage remains intact for future generations and supports bird species, pollinators, and other local wildlife.

Ribbon cutting for Native Plant Seed Library

Supporters and Vallecitos Water District board members and staff celebrate the opening of the new Native Plant Seed Library. Photo: Chris Robbins, Vallecitos Water District

Supporters and Vallecitos Water District board members and staff celebrate the opening of the new Native Plant Seed Library. Photo: Chris Robbins, Vallecitos Water District

A ribbon-cutting ceremony took place on May 14 to celebrate the library’s grand opening at the Vallecitos Sustainable Demonstration Garden, where the newly installed Native Plant Seed Library is located.

“Thank you for caring, for this wonderful way we can share in our community and ways we can care for our planet, care for our species, conserve water, and care for each other. We want to encourage the public to come,” said Dr. Tiffany Boyd-Hodgson, Vallecitos Water District board chair.

See video from the event here.

“Our sustainable demonstration garden has a lot of visitors, including butterflies, dragonflies, bees, and numerous birds. The Native Plant Seed Library is part of our ongoing effort to get human visitors to come to our garden as well. We want people to learn about gardening, native plants, insects, birds, and all the beauty of a low water use garden,” said Chris Robbins, public information/conservation supervisor for the Vallecitos Water District.

Bees inspire Native Plant Seed Library

Native plants support native wildlife including vital pollinators. Photo: Lisa Urabe, Vallecitos Water District

Native seeds and plants support native wildlife, including vital pollinators. Photo: Lisa Urabe, Vallecitos Water District

Vallecitos Water District public information representative and UCCE Master Gardener Lisa Urabe wanted a California native plant garden for years for all its benefits, but finding a wide selection of native plants was becoming time-consuming and costly. When her cousin surprised her with a packet of native seeds, she scattered them into her yard at home.

“Fast forward to spring when our front yard became an explosion of gorgeous wildflowers. I saw bumble bees and other native bees for the first time since childhood, and it brought me so much joy.” This became the inspiration for the new Native Plant Seed Library.

A look inside the Vallecitos Water District's new Native Plant Seed Library. Photo: Chris Robbins, Vallecitos Water District

A look inside the Vallecitos Water District’s new Native Plant Seed Library. Photo: Chris Robbins, Vallecitos Water District

“By providing native California seeds in the library, residents can pick up seeds in a convenient location at no cost. They are easy to grow, beautiful and so beneficial to the migratory birds and butterflies as well as the many native creatures that call San Diego home. By removing some of the obstacles to planting California native plants, it’s a win-win for wildlife and the community,” said Urabe.

San Diego Audubon Society program supports native habitat

Native seeds are carefully packaged and labeled for distribution. Photo: Chris Robbins, Vallecitos Water District

Native seeds are carefully packaged and labeled for distribution. Photo: Chris Robbins, Vallecitos Water District

The Native Plant Seed Library Program, launched three years ago by volunteers from the San Diego Audubon Society’s Advocacy Program, addresses the critical lack of native habitat in San Diego County. With 50 Native Seed Libraries established and supported by staff and organizations like the California Native Plant Society (San Diego Chapter), the program educates the community on native plant importance and provides accessible seeds.

An interactive map on the San Diego Audubon Society’s website helps locate the nearest library. Users are encouraged to return clean, mature seeds to sustain both plant life and the free libraries. For more details, visit sandiegoaudubon.org or email

Focus on San Diego County indigenous plants

All seeds in the Native Plant Seed Library are from plant species native to San Diego County. Photo: Chris Robbins, Vallecitos Water District

All seeds in the Native Plant Seed Library are from plant species native to San Diego County. Photo: Chris Robbins, Vallecitos Water District

The Vallecitos Seed Library focuses on San Diego County’s indigenous plants. Native plants benefit local wildlife and typically use less than half of the amount of water required for most drought-tolerant plants, such as rosemary or lavender.

Some of the seeds currently provided in the library include California poppy, black sage, and narrow leaf milkweed, which supports the monarch butterfly population. By promoting the cultivation of indigenous species, the library seeks to preserve biodiversity and support the health and resilience of local ecosystems.

From colorful wildflowers to towering trees, each seed in the library tells a story of adaptation, resilience, and the intricate relationships that bind plants, animals, and humans together in the web of life.

Free gardening books and native seeds

In 2023, a Little Free Library was installed at the north end of the Vallecitos Water District garden, stocked with garden books to inspire residents to adopt water-wise gardening practices. Photo: Vallecitos Water District

In 2023, a Little Free Library was installed at the north end of the Vallecitos Water District garden, stocked with garden books to inspire residents to adopt water-wise gardening practices. Photo: Vallecitos Water District

In addition to the treasure trove of seeds collected from native plants across the county, visitors may also take free gardening books from the District’s “Little Free Library.” Vallecitos Water District stocks this lending library throughout the year with various garden books to inspire residents to adopt a water-wise garden lifestyle.

The seed box and garden book library are available during regular business hours. The address is 201 Vallecitos De Oro, San Marcos. Learn more about the Native Plant Seed Library at its new website.

Colorado Lawmakers Move to Ban Nonfunctional Turf Planting

/in , , /by /Vail Daily by Heather Sackett

State lawmakers are advancing a bill that would prohibit the planting of new, nonfunctional turf.

If the bill passes next year, it would prohibit local and state governments and unit owners associations from allowing the planting of nonfunctional turf or nonnative plants or installing artificial turf in commercial, institutional or industrial properties beginning in 2025.

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California Aims to Introduce More Anglers to Native Warm-Water Tolerant Sunfish as Planet Heats Up

/in , , /by /AP Newsby Julie Watson

California’s only native sunfish, the Sacramento perch, survived catastrophic floods in the 1860s and was so abundant that it was a regular staple in San Francisco’s markets before invasive species decimated its population.

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A drought tolerant design inspired by mountain views is the 2023 winner of the San Dieguito Water District Landscape Makeover Contest. Photo: San Dieguito Water District

Mountains Inspire Winners of San Dieguito Water District 2023 Landscape Contest

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Large trees were the driving force that led Encinitas homeowners to remove grass and create a vibrant, low-water use landscape. The waterwise transformation won the San Dieguito Water District 2023 Landscape Makeover Contest.

Rick and Melanie Cullen had a yard with grass with large shade trees. But the roots of their three large Liquidambar trees were damaging the driveway and the grass, which motivated the couple to remake their landscape.

Overgrown landscape trees helped inspire Melanie Cullen to change her original landscaping to a waterwise design. Photo: San Dieguito Water District

Overgrown landscape trees helped inspire a change to a waterwise landscape design. Photo: San Dieguito Water District

“San Dieguito Water District is proud to recognize customers like the Cullens, who create beautiful and resilient landscapes while making efficient use of their water,” said Isam Hireish, general manager of San Dieguito Water District.

Mountain visits inspire landcape makeover

Melanie Cullen's new design incorporates a dry riverbed. Photo: San Dieguito Water District

The makeover design incorporates a dry riverbed. Photo: San Dieguito Water District

The Cullens wanted to plant a drought-tolerant, water-wise yard that would be easy to maintain, beautiful, and hold up to their frequent travel schedule.

“My inspiration was to create a water wise, drought-tolerant front yard that also provides us a beautiful yard as if we were in the mountains,” said Melanie Cullen. It started with taking existing small landscape rocks and repurposing them into a natural dry streambed feature.

Colorful plant palette pollinators love

Plants in beautiful colors that attract pollinators highlight the plant palette. Photo: San Dieguito Water District

Plants in beautiful colors that attract pollinators highlight the plant palette. Photo: San Dieguito Water District

Plants were selected that would thrive in the coastal San Diego County environment. The invasive Liquidambar trees were replaced by Blue Ice Cypress, Forest Pansy Red Bud, and dwarf Deodar Cedar trees. Colorful drought-tolerant flowering shrubs and perennials including Coastal Woolybush, salvias, echinaceas, Texas primrose, heronsbill, columbine, Grevillea ‘Mt. Tamboritha’ and ‘Sour Grapes’ Penstemon provide habitat for pollinators.

Fragrant ground cover

Grasses including Pennisetum ‘Fireworks’ and Acorus ‘Variegated Sweetflag’ add to the plant palette. Creeping Thyme and trailing Rosemary are used as colorful, fragrant ground cover.

A highlight: one dozen Azaleas create a woodland flower look. Cullen says they bloom when other plants aren’t flowering.

“One might think they are water hogs, but they get the same water as everything else and bloom quite a bit throughout the year,” said Cullen. “It was a matter of choosing the right type of Azalea (Red Bird and Alaska White).”

Drip irrigation system saves water 

Melanie Cullen installed a circular drip irrigation system. She only needs to water once every one to two weeks for 20 minutes now that the plants are established. Photo: San Dieguito Water District

A circular drip irrigation system requires watering plants only once every one-to-weeks for 20 minutes.  Photo: San Dieguito Water District

The Cullens used a drip irrigation system that encircles each plant individually to direct water to the specific plant. They already had a smart irrigation controller which is still in use. A remote moisture sensor was added allowing the homeowners to monitor the ground moisture at the plants and then adjust watering for the yard.

Three to four inches of bark mulch helps retain irrigation, which has worked “extremely well.”

Tapping rain

Melanie Cullen says the irrigation was turned off completely from January through May due to generous rainfall. “Presently, we only need to water once every one to two weeks for 20 minutes,” she said.

“I join our Board of Directors in recognizing the leadership of the Cullens and commend them for taking proactive steps to improve our community’s resilience to a changing climate,” said Isam Hireish, General Manager of San Dieguito Water District. “I encourage all customers to utilize water more efficiently and take advantage of the various water-saving incentives we offer.”

In the months since the landscape makeover, the Cullens report all their original goals were met. “We love sitting in our front now and watching the many hummingbirds that also love our yard,” said Melanie Cullen.

For rebates, classes, and water-saving tips: sdcwa.org/your-water/conservation/.

(Editor’s note: The San Dieguito Water District is one of the San Diego County Water Authority’s 24 member agencies that deliver water across the metropolitan San Diego region.)

Vallecitos Water District 2023 Landscape Makeover Winners Find Inspiration

/in , , /by /Water News Network Mentioned: San Diego County Water Authority

Three resourceful homeowners took advantage of free resources, including design and plant selection advice, to create beautiful drought-tolerant landscapes. Their projects were named winners of the 2023 Vallecitos Water District Landscape Makeover Contest.

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Dean Williams replace his grass with colorful drought tolerant plants. His landscape makeover won first place. Photo: Vallecitos Water District 2023

Vallecitos Water District 2023 Landscape Makeover Winners Find Inspiration

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Three resourceful homeowners took advantage of free resources, including design and plant selection advice, to create beautiful drought-tolerant landscapes. Their projects were named winners of the 2023 Vallecitos Water District Landscape Makeover Contest.

Video features the three winning projects

Dean Williams: Drab To Delightful

Carlsbad homeowner Dean Williams and his wife didn’t like their existing landscaping.

“It wasn’t a garden, it was a yard,” recalls Williams.

In 2020, Williams found resources on the Vallecitos Water District website for saving water by redesigning your landscaping. The results won first place in the 2023 landscape makeover contest.

Dean Williams' home after completing his landscape makeover. Photo: Vallecitos Water District

Dean Williams’ home after completing his landscape makeover. Photo: Vallecitos Water District

“There are so many resources. The first step was to take some landscape classes offered through the San Diego County Water Authority, find out the process and what I needed to do,” said Williams.

After removing existing turf using the sheet mulching method to create healthy soil, he planned a colorful plant palette to replace his grass.

Dean Williams' home before his winning landscape makeover. Photo: Vallecitos Water District 2023

Dean Williams’ home before his winning landscape makeover. Photo: Vallecitos Water District

“One of the big things I wanted to change was to go from a drab landscape to having some variety by using different textures on the plants, different flowers, different colors, and complementing colors,” said Williams, who used purple and yellow as the primary landscape colors. “I tried to have an interesting landscape pleasing to the eye.”

The colorful redesign saves water and costs. Photo: Vallecitos Water District

The colorful redesign saves water and costs. Photo: Vallecitos Water District

Williams said the benefit of installing drip irrigation and a smart controller was significant water and cost savings.

“We’ve noticed over that our water use and bills have gone slowly down,” he said.

Lessons learned

Williams said the “do it yourself” project offered many lessons learned, including watering too often.

“Drought-tolerant plants don’t do well in wet soil,” said Williams.

Williams encourages other homeowners to tap into all the available resources through the Vallecitos Water District, Water Authority, City of Carlsbad, and others for advice and possible rebates to offset their investment.

“It just pays in more ways than one to change your landscape. “I want to thank Vallecitos Water District for selecting us so we can showcase our landscape transformation,” said Williams.

Dean Williams took advantage of free resources offered by the Vallecitos Water District and San Diego County Water Authority. Photo: Vallecitos Water District

Dean Williams took advantage of free resources offered by the Vallecitos Water District and San Diego County Water Authority. Photo: Vallecitos Water District

Donald De Tar: DIY project earns second place

Donald De Tar's home after completing his landscape makeover. Photo: Vallecitos Water District 2023

Donald De Tar’s home after completing his landscape makeover. Photo: Vallecitos Water District

Donald De Tar learned about the annual Landscape Makeover Contest through the Palomar Cactus and Succulent Society. “So, we decided on a lark to enter,” said De Tar.

His Woodlawn Park area home in San Marcos is dedicated to succulents, cactus, and drought-tolerant plants.

De Tar says it not only saves water but it also saves time spent mowing, fertilizing, and trimming grass. It’s also a lot of fun.

Donald De Tar's home before his landscape makeover. Photo: Vallecitos Water District 2023

Donald De Tar’s home before his landscape makeover. Photo: Vallecitos Water District

De Tar is proud of the budget-friendly approach to his landscaping.

“I did it on a very inexpensive budget,” said De Tar. “It doesn’t have to be super expensive, especially if you join an organization like the Palomar Cactus and Succulent Society. It can be almost free, especially if you’re doing the work yourself.”

De Tar learned about rebate programs through the Vallecitos Water District, and he successfully applied for rebates to offset costs. “Over time, we did the whole yard, and the backyards and side yards have been transformed.”

I’m very appreciative of the Vallecitos contest,” said De Tar. “I like the fact that Vallecitos is involved in the community and promotes these kinds of contests.”

Mily Le Wins Third Place

The results of Mily Le's landscape makeover, which won second place. Photo: Vallecitos Water District 2023

The results of Mily Le’s landscape makeover, which won second place. Photo: Vallecitos Water District

Third place went to longtime San Marcos homeowner Mily Le. She learned about the annual landscape contest through the Vallecitos Water District’s customer newsletter, “Between The Pipes.”

Le visited the lawn replacement program website and learned how to remove her regional grass safely and effectively. She got her design laid out and purchased plants from her local nursery.

Mily Le's home before her landscape makeover. Photo: Vallecitos Water District 2023

The Mily Le home before her landscape makeover. Photo: Vallecitos Water District

As a result, Le says she saves about 30% of her water consumption after replacing her lawn. She says she learned from a neighbor’s experience about researching the eventual size of plants before planting them.

“(My neighbor) did not look it up,” she said. “She had to demolish the front yard, so I took that lesson.”

Le suggests lots of advance planning with your layout. “I’m glad I did it. I think it’s a successful project,” said Le.

For rebates, classes, and water-saving tips: sdcwa.org/your-water/conservation/.

(Editor’s note: The Vallecitos Water District is one of the San Diego County Water Authority’s 24 member agencies that deliver water across the metropolitan San Diego region.)

Lush Landscape Recognized as Runner-Up in Helix Landscape Contest

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The slope of a 1920s La Mesa home went from a drab lawn to lush floral color with climate-appropriate plants, winning recognition from the Helix Water District as the runner-up in its 2023 WaterSmart Landscape Contest.

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A 1920s La Mesa landscape used lush floral color with climate-appropriate plants, winning recognition from the Helix Water District as the runner-up in its 2023 WaterSmart Landscape Contest. Photo: Helix Water District lush landscape

Lush Landscape Recognized as Runner-Up in Helix Landscape Contest

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The slope of a 1920s La Mesa home went from a drab lawn to lush floral color with climate-appropriate plants, winning recognition from the Helix Water District as the runner-up in its 2023 WaterSmart Landscape Contest.

The country garden with climate-appropriate plants is the creation of Joanna and Larry Henning. Photo: Helix Water District lush landscape

Joanna and Larry Henning created the country garden with climate-appropriate plants. Photo: Helix Water District

The contest promotes beautiful, water-efficient landscapes and rewards people for their inspiring gardens. Joanna and Larry Henning created the country garden with climate-appropriate plants.

The Hennings bought the property in La Mesa‘s historic downtown area in 2017. Its landscape was covered in weeds and poorly maintained trees. The couple wanted a new landscape that would fill in the expansive slope and be water efficient while staying true to the character of their home.

Before

The Hennings home prior to its landscape makeover. Photo: Helix Water District lush landscape

Before the landscape makeover. Photo: Helix Water District

After

The Hennings landscape after its makeover. Photo: Helix Water District lush landscape

After the landscape makeover. Photo: Helix Water District

Succulent cuttings

Planting an area this large with new plants can be expensive. But the couple were creative and resourceful, sourcing their plants for the new landscape design. Larry Henning used succulent cuttings from friends and family to plant most of their new landscape.

They supplemented the landscape with carefully chosen specimen plants, including protea, sages, and plumeria. These choices create the landscape’s variety of interesting shapes and colors. Five years after starting the project, even the slowest growing plants are fully grown and have transformed the landscape.

Irrigation efficiency

Plants receive water from inline drip irrigation with pressure-compensating drip emitters. Photo: Helix Water District lush landscape

Plants receive water from inline drip irrigation with pressure-compensating drip emitters. Photo: Helix Water District

The landscape uses water efficiently to provide enough water for the plants to flourish without waste. Watering schedules are controlled using a smart weather-based irrigation controller. It automatically adjusts for rain and weather changes. Plants receive water from inline drip irrigation with pressure-compensating drip emitters.

Pressure compensation is essential for sloped landscapes because it maintains even watering rates all along the slope and prevents overwatering areas at the bottom of the landscape, where pressure is higher. Mulch covers the drip system, which protects the soil and slows evaporation.

Colorful addition to the La Mesa neighborhood

The view from the patio at the Hennings' La Mesa home. Photo: Helix Water District

The view from the patio. Photo: Helix Water District

The landscape delivers ample curb appeal. From the street, trees frame the landscape, filled with shades of green and pops of color. Viewers can also see agave, cacti, and dozens of other succulents. Many display long cones of flowers. From the front patios, the garden provides a tranquil space for the family to enjoy.

District officials selected the landscape for special runner-up recognition due to its impressive transformation and efficient use of color and irrigation.

Helix Water District holds its landscape makeover contest annually. Entries are accepted starting every February through mid-May. For entry information, go to landscapecontest.com.

(Editor’s note: The Helix Water District is one of the San Diego County Water Authority’s 24 member agencies that deliver water across the San Diego County region.)