RUBEN FLORES
Above : Chinese wisteria is drought tolerant . Left : The waterwise demonstration garden outside of the Laguna Beach County Water District office downtown offers examples of sustainable options that require little water .
helped reservoir levels throughout the state to rebound and the Sierra Nevada snowpack continues to break records . “ But , while storms have eased dry conditions ,” he says , “ drought is likely to return . California has a history of deluge and drought . In addition , California ’ s groundwater levels have fallen dramatically during the state ’ s droughts and have been depleted by decades of heavy pumping . The Colorado River , a main source of water for Southern California , is in a two-decades-long drought , which has caused its massive reservoirs , Lake Mead and Lake Powell , to plummet . The recent rains , while welcome , are not enough to alleviate that state ’ s water problems entirely . It will take multiple years to fully recover .”
Gallardo says the main benefit of drought-resistant plants is water savings . Once established , a native and droughtresistant landscape requires infrequent watering and less hands-on maintenance than a traditional garden . Native plants also provide habitat and food for local pollinators and wildlife .
Landscape architect Ann Christoph agrees that since the area has a climate featuring long periods without rainfall , drought-resistant plantings help to sustain landscapes continuously without great investments of water or extra maintenance . Not to mention , these landscapes look more appropriate to the region , she says .
LAGUNA BEACH MAGAZINE 55