UC Master Gardeners, Santa Clara County, CA
University of California
UC Master Gardeners, Santa Clara County, CA

Water Wise Plants

Here's a full list of all our water wise plants. You can also view an image gallery, or view the plants by categories.

Agastache ‘Acapulco Salmon and Pink’

Pronunciation
ah-ga-STAHK-ee
Common Name
Hummingbird mint
Plant Type
Perennial
Mature Size
2'-2.5' high x 1.5' wide
Water Requirements
Moderate: water weekly until the root ball is wet
Sun/Shade Requirements
Full to half sun
Wildlife
  • Bees
  • Butterflies
  • Hummingbirds
Flower Color
Orange and Pink
Maintenance- Design- Planting Tips

Agastache ‘Acapulco Salmon and Pink’ is a beautiful accent plant for the late spring to early fall garden. It is more compact than most hummingbird mints and is densely covered by orange and pink flower spikes. The plant’s gray-green foliage is also a nice contrast to the brighter greens of most garden plants. Like many perennials, these plants die back during the winter. Hummingbird mints are only moderately drought tolerant. This plant does not flower well unless it is in full sun for half a day or more.

PADG notes: This specimen is planted where it gets morning sun and afternoon shade so it needs less water than recommended. During hot, summer periods, the plant is hosed weekly in addition to a once every three-week drip irrigation cycle.

Agrostis pallens

Pronunciation
ag-ROS-tis PAL-ens
Common Name
Native Bentgrass
Plant Type
Grass
Mature Size
2–6 in. mowed; 1–2 ft. unmowed
Water Requirements
Moderate: water weekly until the root ball is wet
Sun/Shade Requirements
Full to half sun, shade
Wildlife
Flower Color
Green to buff spikelets
Maintenance- Design- Planting Tips

Design use: Conventional lawn substitute for playing on when mowed, or meadow if left unmowed. Takes light foot traffic. As a meadow grass, it's good in bioswales, rain gardens, and under trees and shrubs.

Native Bentgrass is a low impact, thin-bladed evergreen grass. It is a cool season grass and can brown up without enough summer water. A California native grass, it is drought tolerant and spreads by both under- and above-ground rhizomes and stolons. If used as a lawn, it needs consistent mowing to 2–3 in., or it can be left unmowed for a meadow-like look. Deer resistant. Fertilize in February–March and in August–September.

Anemopsis californica

Pronunciation
an-uh-MOP-sis kal-i-FOR-ni-kuh
Common Name
Yerba Mansa
Plant Type
Groundcover
Mature Size
2 wide x 0.33 - 1 ft(0.1 - 0.3 m) tall
Water Requirements
Moderate: water weekly until the root ball is wet
Sun/Shade Requirements
Full to half sun
Wildlife
  • Deer resistant
Flower Color
White, Cream, Red
Where to See
  • Not currently planted
Maintenance- Design- Planting Tips

Yerba Mansa or lizard tail, is a perennial flowering plant within the family Saururaceae. It is the only species in the monotypic genus Anemopsis. It is native to southwestern North America. In early spring numerous tiny white flowers are borne on a cone which is surrounded by 4-9 large white spoon-shaped bracts that look like petals. As it matures, the visible part of the plant develops red stains, eventually turning bright red in the fall. Yerba mansa means "calming herb" in Spanish (yerba = "herb"; mansa = "calm or tranquil").   Yerba Mansa requires moist soil, so best to plant in streambeds, seeps or other damp areas. It goes dormant and basically disappears from late summer to early winter, and re-sprouts from the roots in late winter. It produces beautiful white flowers in the early spring that remain on the plant until it starts to go dormant in late summer. It will often spread out like a carpet throughout the damper soil, and choke out any other plants in the area, and in particular while it's blooming, it's quite beautiful.

Artemisia douglasiana

Pronunciation
art-ee-MIS-ee-uh dug-las-ee-AH-nuh
Common Name
Douglas' Sagewort
Plant Type
Perennial
Mature Size
4 ft (1.2 m) wide x 8 ft (2.4 m) tall
Water Requirements
Moderate: water weekly until the root ball is wet
Sun/Shade Requirements
Half sun to shade
Wildlife
  • Butterflies
  • Deer resistant
  • Other birds
Flower Color
Cream, White, Yellow
Where to See
  • Not currently planted
Maintenance- Design- Planting Tips

Artemisia douglasiana from Wikimedia by Easchiff CCA
Artemisia douglasiana is an aromatic shrub in the Asteraceae (Sunflower) family, although plants in this genus don't look like it. It is commonly called California Mugwort or Douglas' Sagewort. Found in virtually every county of California, this plant has been used as a ceremonial plant in many Native American cultures, for use in treating a minor injury or as a dream potentiator. The plant is native to the western United States and into Baja California where it is often found in moist areas such as drainages. It's often riparian in the drier parts of its range. The flowers are small and inconspicuous, often not producing viable seed. It spreads by rhizomes, especially in damp areas. This plant is not often seen in residential gardens but is sometimes grown for medicinal purposes. It is also useful in restoration projects and for erosion control.

Bolero Plus™

Pronunciation
Bo-LEHR-oh Plus
Common Name
Bolero Plus™
Plant Type
Grass
Mature Size
Mow to 2–3 in.
Water Requirements
Moderate: water weekly until the root ball is wet
Sun/Shade Requirements
Full to half sun
Wildlife
Flower Color
Maintenance- Design- Planting Tips

Design use: Conventional lawn substitute, ideal for playing on.

Bolero Plus™ is a proprietary (Delta Bluegrass Co.) blend that is 90% dwarf fescue and 10% bluegrass. It is a cool season grass with a fine bluegrass-like texture that stays dark-green year-round. Bolero Plus™ can take high impact foot traffic. It is drought tolerant and low maintenance as it is slower growing with fewer clippings. Fertilize in February–March and in July–August.

Buchloe dactyloides (UC Verde)

Pronunciation
BOOK-chlo-ee DAK-tah-loydes
Common Name
California Buffalograss
Plant Type
Grass
Mature Size
4–6 in. high, spreading
Water Requirements
Moderate: water weekly until the root ball is wet
Sun/Shade Requirements
Full to half sun
Wildlife
Flower Color
Maintenance- Design- Planting Tips

Design use: Conventional lawn substitute for pets and kids to play on if mowed; meadow if left unmowed.

California Buffalograss is a durable grass with soft green leaves. It is a warm season grass, winter dormant, has a deep root system, and spreads by above-ground stolons. A U.S. native grass, it is low maintenance, drought tolerant, and almost pollen-free. Use a slow-release fertilizer in June and August. Mow to 2–3 in. height in summer or mow once a year for a meadow landscape.

Erigeron glaucus ‘Wayne Roderick’

Pronunciation
er-IJ-er-on GLAW-kus
Common Name
Seaside Daisy ‘Wayne Roderick’
Plant Type
Perennial
Mature Size
1 ft. high and spreading up to 2 ft. wide
Water Requirements
Moderate: water weekly until the root ball is wet
Sun/Shade Requirements
Full to half sun
Wildlife
  • Bees
  • Butterflies
Flower Color
Pink to Lavender to Violet
Where to See
Maintenance- Design- Planting Tips

Erigeron glaucus ‘Wayne Roderick’ has a long bloom period if deadheaded regularly, with blooming starting in the spring and continuing into the fall. To keep this plant looking its best, prune back leggy growth to 1 or 2 inches in the late fall. The cultivar ‘Wayne Roderick’ is supposed to be longer lived, have larger blooms, and be more durable and heat tolerant than the species.

PADG notes: Our experience with Erigeron 'Wayne Roderick' has been very good, although we have noticed that the foliage burns in the summer unless given more frequent water.

Festuca glauca

Pronunciation
fes-TOO-ka GLAW-ka
Common Name
Blue Fescue
Plant Type
Grass
Mature Size
1 ft high and 10 in. wide
Water Requirements
Moderate: water weekly until the root ball is wet
Sun/Shade Requirements
Full to half sun
Wildlife
Flower Color
Pale green turning to buff
Maintenance- Design- Planting Tips

Design use: Meadow

Blue fescue is a drought tolerant, evergreen bunchgrass with narrow blue-green leaves that form a mound. Flowers appear in summer on thin 1 ft. high spikes with seeds that easily self-sow.

This grass needs occasional water and good drainage. It tends to brown out in the middle and can be raked out in winter or divided and replanted. In a low water garden, these grasses seem to hold their blue green color better in the shade. Native to southern France, deer resistant, no fertilizer needed although compost can be used. Cool season plant.

Heuchera ‘Rosada’

Pronunciation
HEW-ker-ah
Common Name
Coral Bells ‘Rosada’
Plant Type
Perennial
Mature Size
3 ft. to 4 ft. wide with 1 ft. flower stalks
Water Requirements
Moderate: water weekly until the root ball is wet
Sun/Shade Requirements
Half sun to shade
Wildlife
  • Hummingbirds
Flower Color
Pink
Where to See
Maintenance- Design- Planting Tips

There are many kinds of Heuchera, but Heuchera ‘Rosada’ is a favorite. Introduced to the nursery trade by the UC Davis Arboretum, it is a cross between two different western U.S. native species.

Heuchera ‘Rosada’ prefers light shade and occasional to moderate water. With beautiful rosettes of low growing foliage and stalks of pink blooms, it is a favorite of woodland gardens. Removing the flower stalks when the plant finishes blooming is all the maintenance needed. Although these plants will grow in full sun, they will need more water to look their best. Plants grown in the shade can tolerate less water.

UC Davis Arboretum selected Heuchera ‘Rosada’ for its Arboretum All-Stars designation, which identifies plants that are easy to grow, reliable, do not need a lot of water, and have few pest or disease problems.

Ipheion uniflorum

Pronunciation
IF-ee-on yoo-nee-FLOR-um
Common Name
Starflower
Plant Type
Bulb
Mature Size
0.5' high x Spreads
Water Requirements
Moderate: water weekly until the root ball is wet
Sun/Shade Requirements
Full to half sun
Wildlife
  • Deer resistant
Flower Color
Maintenance- Design- Planting Tips

Ipheion uniflorum has low-growing green leaves and is covered with white star-shaped flowers in early spring. It dies down to the bulb after bloom and resprouts when fall and winter rains begin. It is a dainty and beautiful addition to garden edge. It reliably complements the early blooming narcissus and other spring flowers and requires little maintenance other than extra water if it does not rain during bloom.

Latitude 36™

Pronunciation
Common Name
Latitude 36™
Plant Type
Grass
Mature Size
Mow to 2 in.
Water Requirements
Moderate: water weekly until the root ball is wet
Sun/Shade Requirements
Full to half sun
Wildlife
Flower Color
No seedhead production
Maintenance- Design- Planting Tips

Design use: Conventional lawn substitute, ideal for playing on.

Latitude 36™ is a proprietary (Delta Bluegrass Co.) hybrid Bermuda grass with a soft feel and fine texture. It is a warm season grass that is winter dormant with an early spring green up. Latitude 36™ can take high impact foot traffic. It has outstanding drought tolerance, quick divot recovery, and little to no seedheads so does not spread. Use a slow-release fertilizer in June and August. Mow to 2 in.

Leucadendron salignum ‘Golden Tip’

Pronunciation
lew-kuh-DEN-dron sal-LIG-num
Common Name
Conebush
Plant Type
Shrub
Mature Size
4'-6' high x 4'-8' wide
Water Requirements
Moderate: water weekly until the root ball is wet
Sun/Shade Requirements
Full sun
Wildlife
Flower Color
Yellow
Maintenance- Design- Planting Tips

Leucadendron salignum ‘Golden Tip’ is a structurally striking, upright shrub, with branches tipped with bright yellow bracts from winter into spring. Leaves are green but pick up a yellow hue during bloom time. Although considered drought tolerant, Leucadendrons require more water than most water wise plants. Even well-established plants can die during hot summers without enough water.

PADG notes: This plant is watered every three weeks, but this is at the edge of their tolerance in the garden. They require little extra maintenance.

Leucadendron salignum ‘Red Wing’

Pronunciation
lew-kuh-DEN-dron sal-LIG-num
Common Name
Conebush
Plant Type
Shrub
Mature Size
3'-4' high x 4'-6' wide
Water Requirements
Moderate: water weekly until the root ball is wet
Sun/Shade Requirements
Full sun
Wildlife
Flower Color
Red
Maintenance- Design- Planting Tips

Leucadendron salignum ‘Red Wing’ is smaller than most leucadendrons and has deep red bracts from winter into spring. The green leaves pick up a red hue during bloom proving beautiful contrast in the mixed garden bed. Although considered drought tolerant, Leucadendrons require more water than most water wise plants. Even well-established plants can die during hot summers without enough water.

PADG notes: The plants are watered every three weeks at the Demonstration Garden, but this is right at the edge of their tolerance in the garden. They require little extra maintenance.

 

Lippia nodiflora

Pronunciation
LIP-ee-yah noh-dih-FLOOR-ah
Common Name
Kurapia®
Plant Type
Groundcover
Mature Size
2–3 in. high, creeping, non-invasive
Water Requirements
Moderate: water weekly until the root ball is wet
Sun/Shade Requirements
Full to half sun
Wildlife
  • Bees
  • Butterflies
Flower Color
Maintenance- Design- Planting Tips

Design use: Groundcover. Good for large areas, slopes and hillsides with its deep roots. Takes light foot traffic, mowing not required, can be used as a lawn substitute with a once/month mow.

Kurapia is a creeping evergreen succulent with small white flowers which bloom May through October. The flowers attract bees, but mowing can reduce bee activity. There is a similar California native, but Kurapia was engineered in Japan, is sterile and non-invasive. It is low maintenance, can fertilize in spring and fall, likes loose soil, mow to renew. Tolerates deer, drought, and fire.

Polygala fruticosa 'Petite Butterfly'

Pronunciation
pol-ee-GAH-luh froo-tih-KOH-suh
Common Name
Petite Butterfly Sweet-Pea Shrub
Plant Type
Shrub
Mature Size
2 ft. to 3 ft. wide and tall
Water Requirements
Moderate: water weekly until the root ball is wet
Sun/Shade Requirements
Full to half sun
Wildlife
Flower Color
Purplish pink
Where to See
Maintenance- Design- Planting Tips

It's always nice to find a neat, round evergreen shrub that blooms a lot and doesn't get too big. Polygala fruticosa plays nicely in the perennial garden. Its flowers look a bit like sweet peas hence the common name 'Sweet-Pea Shrub'.

Cut back Polygala to about 10 inches above the ground in late winter to maintain its compact shape.

Sunset’s Western Garden Book recommends providing regular water for Polygala. Several Master Gardeners have not found Polygala fruticosa to be long-lived in their home gardens.

Ranunculus californicus

Pronunciation
ruh-NUNK-ew-loos kal-i-FOR-ni-koos
Common Name
California Buttercup
Plant Type
Perennial
Mature Size
6 in (15cm) wide x 0.6 - 2.3 ft (0.18 - 0.7 m) tall
Water Requirements
Moderate: water weekly until the root ball is wet
Sun/Shade Requirements
Full to half sun
Wildlife
  • Bees
Flower Color
Yellow
Where to See
Maintenance- Design- Planting Tips

Wikimedia by Calibas for attribution under GNU
The California buttercup (Ranunculus californicus), a perennial herb of the Ranunculaceae family, brightens much of California (except the deserts) with 3/4 inch, remarkably glossy, deep yellow flowers, each with 9 to 17 petals. For the garden, plant this buttercup in front of the border and in meadows with native annuals and bulbs, blue-eyed grass, shooting stars, woolly blue-curls, and other natives that require little, if any, supplemental summer irrigation. Buttercups are not only worthy cut flowers but also a good source of nutrition. Toast briefly in a frying pan to accompany porridge or grind and add to baked goods. Easy to grow and appealing native.

Rubus parviflorus

Pronunciation
ROO-bus par-VEE-floh-roos
Common Name
Thimbleberry
Plant Type
Shrub
Mature Size
4 - 8.2 ft. (1.2 - 2.5 m) tall
Water Requirements
Moderate: water weekly until the root ball is wet
Sun/Shade Requirements
Half sun to shade
Wildlife
  • Other birds
Flower Color
White, Yellow
Where to See
Maintenance- Design- Planting Tips

Rubus parviflorus by Terry Glase unrestricted from Wildflower.org (34464)
Rubus parviflorus (Thimbleberry) is a species in the Rosaceae (Rose) family native to western and northern North America, from Alaska east to Ontario and Michigan and south to northern Mexico and widespread in California. It grows from sea level in the north, up to 2,500 meter altitude in the south of the range. It is a dense shrub up to 2.5 meter tall with canes 3-15 millimeter diameter, often growing in large clumps which spread through the plant's underground rhizome. Rubus is the genus of raspberries and blackberries, but unlike most other members of the genus, this has no thorns. The soft, fuzzy, palmate leaves measure 5-20 cm across, with five lobes. The flowers are 2-6 cm in diameter, with five white petals and numerous pale yellow stamens. It produces a tart edible composite fruit 10-15 millimeter diameter, which ripen to a bright red in mid to late summer. Like other raspberries it is not a true berry, but instead an aggregate fruit of numerous drupelets around a central core; the drupelets may be carefully removed separately from the core when picked, leaving a hollow fruit which bears a resemblance to a thimble, perhaps giving the plant its name.

Tanacetum densum amani

Pronunciation
TAN-uh-SEE-tum DEN-sum AHM-an-eye
Common Name
Partridge Feather
Plant Type
Groundcover
Mature Size
6 - 8 in. high, spreading slowly to make a mat about 1 1/2 ft. wide
Water Requirements
Moderate: water weekly until the root ball is wet
Sun/Shade Requirements
Full to half sun
Wildlife
  • Bees
  • Beneficials
Flower Color
Yellow
Where to See
Maintenance- Design- Planting Tips

Tanacetum densum amani is a ground cover that is native to Turkey. Its leaves are silver and have a feathery texture.

PADG Notes: This plant is used as an edger in one of our beds. One drawback to the plant is the small yellow flowers that appear in late spring. Some people like them, but we cut them off.

This plant has survived, but not thrived at in the Palo Alto Demonstration Garden. One reason might be that it likes more water than it receives. It is watered deeply every three weeks. We suspect this plant would look lusher in the summer with deep weekly watering.

This plant is not easy to find in nurseries and gardens, but if you like the texture, Tanacetum densum amani is worth seeking out.

Thalictrum fendleri var. polycarpum

Pronunciation
thuh-LIK-troom fend-LAH-ree
Common Name
Meadow Rue
Plant Type
Perennial
Mature Size
2 ft (0.6 m) wide x 2 - 4 ft (0.6 - 1.2 m) tall
Water Requirements
Moderate: water weekly until the root ball is wet
Sun/Shade Requirements
Half sun
Wildlife
  • Deer resistant
Flower Color
Cream, Green, Yellow
Where to See
  • Not currently planted
Maintenance- Design- Planting Tips

Meadow Rue is used in woodland and shade gardens as a perennial background plant. It has beautiful lacy blue-green foliage that unfurls from purplish shoots. The tiny unisexual flowers are produced atop 2 - 4 ft. tall stalks on separate plants. The male flowers are showier with dangling cream-yellow colored stamens; the female flowers are clusters of greenish pistils. It goes dormant in late summer when it is allowed to go dry. This Meadow Rue is easy to grow, in part sun to shade. It grows with occasional to regular irrigation, and can be drought-tolerant once established.

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