Common name:Western Redbud
Botanical name:Cercis occidentalis

This deciduous shrub ranges from 6-20 ft. tall and 10-15 ft. wide. It is desirable for its magenta spring flowers, yellow to red fall color, and dangling winter seed pods. It is tolerant of many soil types, drought and oak root fungus. It attracts hummingbirds and butterflies. The Western Redbud can be found statewide in California in the foothills below 4500 ft. elevations in chaparral and woodland communities - Cornflower Farms

Common name:California Poppy, Golden Poppy
Botanical name:Eschscholzia californica

This small annual (sometimes acts as a perennial) plant will grow to less than 1' tall and has light, small blue/green leaves with gold and orange flowers that bloom in spring and summer.

Common name:Chinese Elm
Botanical name:Ulmus parvifolia 'Drake'

The 'Drake' is a tall, semi-evergreen tree with a graceful, weping habit of growth. Its leaves are small with a dark green color. With proper care, this can mature into a beautiful tree.

Common name:Lily of the Nile
Botanical name:Agapanthus hybrids

This evergreen groundcover/shrub will grow about 3' tall and has large green leaves with blue flowers ( there is a white variety and dwarf varieties) that bloom in spring and summer. It will grow in all soils but prefers loam soil.

Common name:Catmint
Botanical name:Nepeta X faassenii

Nepeta faassenii makes soft, gray-green, undulating mounds o 1.5 ft. high in bloom. The small leaves are attractive to cats. This perennial has lavender blue flowers in late spring, and early summer.

Common name:Hummingbird Sage, Pitcher Sage
Botanical name:Salvia spathacea

The extravagant leaves of this small clumping sage emit a perfectly sweet fragrance, which attracts hummingbirds. In the spring, the red/pink flowering spikes become a deep fuchsia. It is a great plant for dry shade.

Common name:Southern Magnolia, Bull Bay
Botanical name:Magnolia grandiflora

It's large, simple leathery appearance makes the pyramidal Magnolia grandiflora perfect for either a street or lawn tree. Its leaves are 4-8" long, and its powerfully fragrant blooms are carried throughout the summer and fall. If these plants are grafted, they are more predictable (may take 15 years to bloom). Ungrafted trees will take only 2-3 years. Restricted root areas or heavy soils will slow the growth process. In zones 4 and 5, the tree needs a warm wall or a pocket

Common name:Iceberg Floribunda Rose
Botanical name:Rosa 'Iceberg'

'Iceberg' Rose is a brilliant clear white variety of shrub rose.

Common name:Canyon Gray Sagebrush
Botanical name:Artemisia californica 'Canyon Gray'

This prostrate sage grows 3-6ft wide and 1ft. high with finely cut green/gray foliage. - Cornflower Farms

Dealing With Drought

More than half of the water used at your home is for outside purposes. Studies show that on average, half of the water used outdoors is wasted. The leading cause of waste is incorrectly set and poorly managed irrigation controllers. The second biggest cause of wastage is broken irrigation equipment that goes undetected. There are a few basic things you can do to make a big difference in your water use.

Click in the green box for more information