OUTDOOR LIVING
SPECIAL SECTION
DROUGHT-RESISTANT DESIGN
MITIGATE MAINTENANCE AND LOWER WATER BILLS
BY LANDSCAPING WITH NATIVE PLANTS .
By TANYA A . YACINA
Spanish lavender , foxtail fern ( back ) and trailing iceplant ( front with magenta daisylike flowers ) grow well in dry conditions , making them excellent choices for low-water gardens , like this landscape design by Ruben Flores of Visionscape and Laguna Nursery .
While recent rainy Southern California weather patterns have put the worry of a drought out of many people ’ s minds , the truth is that another drought season is just around the corner . Laguna Beach is lucky in that it sits next to the ocean waves , but that doesn ’ t save plants , vegetation and landscapes from the usual lack of fresh water , which is where a drought-resistant landscape plan comes into play .
“ People should conserve water because water is an important part of everyone ’ s life . Droughts in California are not a new phenomenon ,” says Jose Gallardo , a water use efficiency specialist at Laguna Beach County Water District . “ In fact , droughts are increasing in intensity and length . By conserving water now , we are better suited to get through the current and future droughts .” Gallardo notes that recent rains have
LEFT : RUBEN FLORES ; RIGHT : CHRISTOPHER REGAN
54 LAGUNABEACHMAGAZINE . COM