Water Savings without Compromise

Living in the Russian River Watershed is a gardener’s dream come true. However, with California in its fourth year of drought, it is increasingly important that community members act collectively to decrease landscape water usage. Planting low water-use plants at our homes and businesses is one way we can reduce our impacts on this vital resource.
The following list provides ten low water-use plants that can be found at local nurseries, which demonstrate that your garden can be lush, colorful and healthy, even during a drought!
Tulbaghia violacea – Society Garlic
Society Garlic is a perennial plant that can be seen blooming from spring through summer with purple, clustered flowers. The foliage is narrow and green-blue in color. Society Garlic can grow up to 2 feet tall and about 1 foot wide. When the foliage or flowers are rubbed they give off a garlicky aroma.
Achillea spp. – Yarrow
Yarrow is a colorful addition to any landscape. It grows between 2 – 4 feet tall and should be planted 1 to 2 feet apart in full sun. This perennial plant usually blooms in summer, with a wide variety of yellow, white and pink flowers.
Lavatera bicolor – Tree Mallow
Tree Mallow is a semi-evergreen that can grow up to 6 feet tall and 12 feet wide. The foliage is a grey-green color and flowers are lavender with vibrant maroon centers. Tree Mallow can be seen blooming in spring, summer, or fall and prefers to be planted in full sun.
Nepeta spp. – Catmint
Catmint, a member of the mint family, is very aromatic and attracts bees and other pollinators. After it is established, Catmint is a low water- use perennial plant with blue-purple flowers and grey foliage. It can be grown in full sun or part shade.
Sempervivum tectorum – Hens & Chicks–Hens & Chicks is a succulent that forms 2 to 4 inch rosettes with offsets that surround the mother-plant. These offsets can continue to spread for up to 2 feet. The rosettes are green with red tips and flowers have long stems that can reach 10 inches tall. This succulent can be grown in full sun or part shade. Hens & Chicks is a nice addition to a rock or container garden.
Ceanothus spp – California Lilac
California Lilac is an evergreen shrub that blooms in the spring with assemblages of white, blue, or purple flowers. There are over 60 varieties of Ceanothus ranging from 1 to 6-foot tall shrubs to 18 to 20-foot tall trees including ‘Mountain Lilac,’ ‘Wild Lilac,’ ‘Blue Jeans’, and ‘Julia Phelps.’
Festuca Californica – California Fescue
California Fescue is a California native grass that preserves its blue-green foliage throughout all the seasons. It prefers to be located under shade or part shade. California Fescue ranges in height between 1 to 4 feet with a width between 1 to 3 feet.
Stachys Byzantina – Lamb’s Ear
Lamb’s Ear is categorized as a perennial that can survive on low water. This variety ranges from 6 to 12 inches tall and 3 feet wide. The leaves possess a velvet-like texture with frosty blue-green coloring.  Ideally, Lamb’s Ear would be grown in part shade.
Fremontodendron spp. – Flannel Bush
This evergreen California native shrub is available in multiple varieties that can range from 4 to 30 feet tall. It survives on rainfall, once mature, and exhibits warm orange and yellow flowers. The Flannel Bush blooms in summer and spring.
Rosmarinus Officinalis – Rosemary
Rosemary is an evergreen shrub that grows 2 to 6 feet tall. Rosemary blooms blue flowers in the winter season and grows well in full sun. This year-round shrub can also be used as an herb for cooking.
Other factors in reducing water-use in the landscape include: the time of day that watering occurs, how much water is used, the type of irrigation system, and soil type. Russian River-Friendly Landscape Guidelines summarize sustainable practices for landscapers specifically within the Russian River watershed. For more great water-saving tips and additional Russian River-Friendly landscaping strategies, please visit: www.rrwatershed.org.
This article was authored by Katie Schumpelt and Bailee Barr of the City of Santa Rosa Water Department, on behalf of RRWA.  RRWA (www.rrwatershed.org) is an association of local public agencies in the Russian River Watershed that have come together to coordinate regional programs for clean water, fisheries restoration, and watershed enhancement.