Water-Wise is Wallet-Wise
A Water-Wise Garden is Good For the Environment and the Wallet
Many people design a water-wise garden because it's good for the environment, but with escalating water bills, it's also a great way to save money.
Water-Wise is Wallet-Wise
Living in Southern California means living with drought, which may, admittedly, be a bit of a deterrent for the gardener. For years Southern Californians have been preached to regarding the virtues of conserving water, but now, as costs for the average home gardener skyrocket, conserving water is not just good for the environment—it’s also good for your wallet.
Thankfully, water-wise gardens need not look like a desert, as many people think. There are myriad plants with minimal water needs, and all you need is a little imagination to turn your garden from a water hog into a nearly maintenance-free, beautiful addition to your home.
Even if you’re not prepared to go full blown water-wise, there are many things you can do to make any garden (regardless of geography) consume less water. For example, add organic mulch around plants, water in the mornings to save loss due to evaporation and convection, keep your sprinkler system in good shape with a smart sprinkler controller, and sweep your patio instead of hosing it down. Doing these simple things can save you on average well over 100-gallons of water a day!
Keep in mind that less water also generally means fewer weeds. While a water-wise garden is not maintenance-free, you will certainly spend less time weeding and watering and more time scheming and planting. And just think of how you could spend the money you save on your next water bill.
Four Southern Californian Water-Wise Plants to Consider
The California sages, of which are there are at least 17, make fantastic water-wise plants for the home garden. In addition to smelling great, they draw in hummingbirds, butterflies and bees. Long-lived, attractive and amongst the most drought resistant of plants, Sage makes an excellent addition to a home garden or landscaping scheme.
California lilacs are drought resistant shrubs which will add splashes of color to your garden. They are extraordinarily fragrant and evergreen, making them an ideal addition to your water-wise garden.
Various lavenders, such as the French Lavender, are not indigenous, but they are drought-resistant, fire-safe and beautiful during the spring and summer months when they flower prolifically.
California fuchsia, a woody stemmed perennial with bursts of red-orange color, is another great water-wise and fire-resistant plant. Fuchsia is a favorite with birds, fast growing and virtually indestructible.
