Low-water Landscape

Drought Resources

Drought Resources 

This page contains links to multiple resources that can help with your effort to save water, create your own low-water landscape and more!

Sustainable Gardening Toolkit

The UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden is committed to practicing, promoting and teaching about sustainable horticulture. Learn about more environmentally friendly alternatives that reduce the use of water, energy, and chemical inputs and support native pollinators, birds, and beneficial insects.

Life After Lawn Advice: Learn by Doing

Mona and Frank Demasi

Many succulents are well adapted to low-water landscapes because their thickened leaves store water, providing them the ability to survive dry, hot climates. Softer leaved succulents like Echeveria prefer shade in our region while the larger, cold-hardy Agave and Aloe species do well in full sun.

Life after lawn advice: Shop the Arboretum plant sales

Ria takes the commitment to water savings seriously; first renovating her backyard two years ago, and last fall tackling her front yard. Birch trees and high-water turf were removed. Now this east-facing front yard features subtly sloped areas behind two curved walls. This additional hardscape creates a structure for spreading mats of white lantana and red verbena whose long-lasting blooms add color and attract a variety of butterflies.