Canyon to Coast

With more water shortages consistently plaguing Southern California, residents have been encouraged to reduce water usage in any way they can.

One of the best ways to save water is to change how you garden or landscape your property. Homeowners can implement such changes in many ways. For example, we have seen homes in Irvine, Shady Canyon, Newport Beach, and Newport Coast feature drought-tolerant plants and artificial grass.

Some of the best drought-tolerant plants are local varieties. After all, they have evolved to handle the often-dry Southern California climate. Gardening that aims to reduce or eliminate the need for extra water is often called "xeriscaping".  

Best native, drought-tolerant plants for Southern California gardens:

• Canyon Gray (Artemisia californica) - A low-growing sagebrush
• Longleaf Bush Lupine (Lupinus longifolius) - A beautiful, purple-flowering plant
• Manzanitas (Arctostaphylos sp.) - Very low maintenance with tremendous variety
• White Sage (Salvia apiana) - Fragrant, silvery shrub
• Catalina Ironwood (Lyonothamnus floribundus) - A hardy, beautiful tree with delicate leaves
• California Mountain Lilac (Ceanothus concha) - Dense groups of lilac-colored flowers cover these bushes

Planting these and other hardy plants not only helps to keep the water bills low, but also saves water for Orange County and Southern California as a whole. And, on top of that, these native varieties also provide an important balance to local ecosystems.

Going Synthetic

What uses less water than drought-resistant plants? No plants at all! Consider replacing plants with rock-formations and other non-living arrangements. Or, switch out for artificial plants. Artificial grass or turf has come a long way, no looking (and feeling) more realistic than ever.

First American Home Warranty recently posted an informative article on the pros and cons of artificial grass and whether it could be right for you. You can check out the post here: http://www.homecarebuzz.com/is-artificial-grass-right-for-you/

Here are some of the main points to consider when thinking about the artificial grass or synthetic turf:

Pros for Artificial Grass:

• Low-maintenance
• Doesn't require (much) water, weed, or pest care
• More attractive than a dry, struggling lawn

Cons for Artificial Grass:

• Doesn't do as well in direct sun (can get hot)
• Expensive
• More waste at the end of its lifecycle

For more information on Southern California's real estate market, contact the Jacqueline Thompson Group today.