About 40% of the water Californians use at home is used to water outdoors. Here are our Top 10 plant recommendations that allow you to cut back on watering in the yard without sacrificing color or beauty! These water-wise wonders are nearly perfect substitutions, beautiful year-round, and a great resource for birds, bees, butterflies, and other pollinators!
Using California native plants and water-wise flowers in your garden allows you to upgrade your landscaping from a thirsty lawn to a beautiful, low-maintenance yard.
Swap Hydrangeas with Salvia
Although Hydrangeas (Hydrangea macrophylla) are a beautiful choice for the garden, the water-wise Salvia (Lamiaceae) plant will bring a sweet scent and sight to any space…and there are hundreds to choose from! You can find the right Salvia plant that fits your needs for size, color, and sun tolerance. If you are in a warmer region, this plant may be right for you as it will want about 6-8 hours of sun exposure daily. The Salvia plants attract butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds, so make sure you are ready for a few visitors!
Swap Visions with Red Hot Pokers
Leave the Visions (Astilbe chinensis) behind and bring vibrant colors to your garden with Red Hot Pokers (Kniphofia). The Red Hot Poker is a hardy and bold selection that will thrive in full sun and well-drained soil. This unique plant does well in humidity and is an excellent addition to gardens near the ocean.
Swap Impatiens with Coyote Mint
Use Coyote mint (Monardella Villosa) in place of Impatiens (Impatiens walleriana). Its flowers are notable for their pleasant mint aroma and appear in a variety of pink and purple hues. Coyote Mint grows well in sandy, rocky, or sandy-loam soils that are well-drained, infertile, and receive plenty of sunlight…perfect for California’s hotter, drier climate!
Swap Gerbera with Coneflower
The Gerberas (Transvaal Daisy) can be easily replaced with the water-wise Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea). Be sure to have a sunny spot to plant these beautiful Coneflowers, as they love to sunbathe. They also do well in a garden or a container. These are perfect for mixing and matching as there are many color choices, including yellow, white, orange, pink, and purple.
Swap Bee Balm with Lavender
The purple-hued Bee Balm (Monarda) flourishes in wet soil, but Lavender (Lavandula) will really thrive in drier conditions. Lavender is one of the sturdier selections for your garden and can withstand heat, wind, and drought. If you live in areas that get snow, this is a plant you’ll want to pass on as it really enjoys warm weather and lots of sun! For those living in colder climates, a great yard addition would be the Purple Sage (Salvia leucophylla). It boasts the same purple shades and has sturdy leaves that help protect against chillier weather.
Swap Japanese Iris with California Poppy
The Japanese Iris (Iris ensata) soaks up water, but the California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica) is easy to grow, drought-tolerant, and our state flower! The Poppy’s petals close in cold and cloudy regions, so include these colorful blooms in areas with warmer climates. For the cooler climates, the Western Columbine (Aquilegia formosa) is ideal as it is cold tolerant up to 0° F.
Swap Baby's Tears with Kiwi Aeonium
Ditch the thirsty Baby’s Tears (Soleirolia soleirolii) that prefer a tropical environment and select the popular succulent, Kiwi Aeonium (Aeonium haworthii) instead. The Kiwi Aeonium succulent prefers a nice balance of shade and sun. It is a great choice to include in an indoor or outdoor potted display or in the garden.
Swap Seep Monkey Flower with
Black-eyed Susan
Don’t waste water on Seep Monkey Flower (Erythranthe guttata) that enjoys growing in damp regions. A better, water-wise alternative is the Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta). Black-eyed Susans are ideal for butterfly gardens, large plantings, and containers. They prefer full sun and reseed easily, so be ready to commit to these golden beauties.
Keep in mind that these are a select few water-wise selections for your garden, but the options are endless. If you’re looking for additional options, consider these to add to your landscape:
Mock Orange
The Mock Orange (Philadelphus lewisii), a member of the Hydrangea family, produces clusters at the ends of long stems, with white petals. These blooms have a sweet aroma reminiscent of orange blossoms with a hint of pineapple, filling your space with a sweet aroma!
Royal Penstemon
Royal Penstemons (Penstemon speciosus) are a great option if you want to add a rich pop of color. They come in many shades of light to deep blue, lavender, and purple, and usually have inner segments of white.
Silver Wormwood
Silver Wormwood (Artemisia ludoviciana) is a very popular silver-grey color plant that will quickly become a new favorite in your garden. It has a unique and distinctive fragrance and a silky, soft coating The Silver Wormwood is a great choice for planting borders or adding texture to your garden.