Common name:Standard Rose
Botanical name:Rosa sp.

These shrubs and vines are the most-loved in the West and are very resilient. They come in a wide variety of sizes and colors and are easy to maintain with proper care. They can be used in a water-conserving garden with careful attention to irrigation practices.

Common name:Thread Leaf Coreopsis
Botanical name:Coreopsis verticillata 'Golden Shower'

This bushy, full-branched perennial will grow 3' tall and 2' wide; it has threadlike leaves with clusters of yellow flowers that bloom in early summer and last until winter.

Common name:Chaste Tree
Botanical name:Vitex agnus-castus

The Chaste Tree is a deciduous tree or small shrub in which the sizes vary due to their location, but they tend to be multi-trunked and widespreading. It blooms in the summer with 7" blue flower spikes and the leaflets are green above and gray beneath. The Chaste Tree is a native to California and is drought tolerant. -Cornflower Farms

Common name:Sea Pink, Common Thrift
Botanical name:Armeria maritima

This clumping, grass-like perennial is native to many areas, including coastal CA. Its flowers range from deep rose pink through white. -Monterey Bay Nursery

Common name:Mexican Blue Sage
Botanical name:Salvia chamaedryoides

Low mounding perennial with long bloom spreads by underground runners. Produces a small, silvery foliage which serves as a background for bright blue flowers. Bruised leaves have spicy fragrance. Native to eastern Mexico 7-9000' in desert habitat Grows to mature size of 2' tall and wide. Heaviest bloom in spring and early fall, intermittent throughout the rest of the season. Full sun, well drained site. No fertilizer. Drought tolerant.

Common name:Australian Bluebell Creeper
Botanical name:Sollya heterophylla

The Australian Bluebell Creeper is a spreading evergreen shrub that grows 2'-3' tall, or a climbing vine that grows to 8' tall with support. It has attractive, glossy green foliage and blue, bell-shaped summer flowers. This shrub can tolerate full sun on the coast and part shade inland. It can grow under Eucalyptus trees, and needs good drainage. The Australian Bluebell Creeper is also drought tolerant. -Cornflower Farms

Common name:Catmint
Botanical name:Nepeta X faassenii

Nepeta faassenii makes soft, gray green, undulating mounds that are 1.5' high when blooming. The small leaves are attractive to cats. This perennial has lavender blue flowers in late spring and early summer.

Permeable Surfaces

If you have impermeable paving that you would like to make permeable, there are two main methods for doing so:
1. Break up hard paved surfaces to create spaces for water to seep through.
2. Remove and replace the surfaces with permeable paving.

Click in the green box for more information