Resources Publications

Placer County Water Agency Drip Irrigation in the Home Landscape http://www.pcwa.com UCANR Publication # 21579 Water-wise Water Wise Gardens of California Water-Efficient Landscaping: Prevent- http://www.usbr.gov/mp/watershare/ ing Pollution/Using Resources Wisely EPA Publication # EPA-832-F-02-002 Water Education Foundation http:/www.epa.gov/owm/water-efficiency Landscaping http://www.water-ed.org More Landscape Water Use Pubs avail- Water Saver Home able at the Dept. of Water Resources: http://www.h2ouse.org http:/www.owue.water.ca.gov/landscape

For more info. call UCCE at 530-889-7385 or visit http://ceplacer.ucdavis.edu Water Efficient WATER-WISE LANDSCAPING is a collaborative project of the University of California Cooperative Extension, UCCE Master Gardeners of Placer and Nevada Counties, Placer County Water Agency, and the US Bureau of Reclamation. Compiled and Edited by Kevin Marini, UCCE Program Representative UC Master Gardener Contributors: Ronnie Ingraham, Nancy Goumas, Sue Zulauf, Christy Haeuptle, for the Sierra Connie Frank, JoAnn Moore, Liz Day, Judy Carroll, and Cooki Vonasek. Layout and Design by Frank Garrels, UCCE Placer County Zone 7 Foothills(See page 3)

University of California Cooperative Ex in cooperation with The University of California prohibits discrimination against or harassment of any person employed by or seeking employment with the University on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, physical or mental disability, medical condition (cancer-related or genetic characteristic), ancestry, marital status, age, sexual orientation, citizenship, or status as a covered veteran (covered veterans are special disabled veterans, recently separated veterans, Vietnam-era veterans or any other veterans who served on active duty during a war or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized) in any of its Placer County Water Agency and programs or activities or with respect to any of its employment policies, practices, or procedures.

University Policy is intended to be consistent with the provisions of applicable State and Federal laws. Inquiries regarding the University’s nondiscrimination policies may be directed to the Affirmative Action/Staff 1. DR = DeerPersonnel Resistant Services Director, University 2. of California,Sun: Agriculture F = and full Natural sun, Resources, PS 1111 Franklin,= partial 6th Floor, Oakland, shade CA 94607-5200; (510) 987-0096 1. DR = Deer Resistant 2. Sun: F = full sun, PS = partial shade

University of California, United States Department of Agriculture, Placer and Nevada Counties Cooperating 16 Water-wise Landscaping University of California Cooperative Extensiontension - Placer Placer& Nevada and Counties Nevada Counties1 the US Bureau of Reclamation GROUND COVER - CALIFORNIA NATIVES About This Brochure 1 2 Common Name Mature Size DR Sun Remarks WATER-WISE LANDSCAPING is a collaborative project of the University Arctostaphylos F to Bearberry Ht to 15 ft. Y Many varieties of California Cooperative Extension, UCCE Master Gardeners of uva-ursi PS Placer and Nevada Counties, Placer County Water Agency, and the H varies US Bureau of Reclamation. We hope this brochure will provide Ceanothus spp. California Lilac Y F Try ‘Julia Phelps’ W varies appropriate information for creating responsible water efficient landscapes. Included in the brochure are: lists for Zone 7, tips on using water efficiently, and additional resources for other questions regarding watering wisely. Evening Why should you use Water Efficient Plants ©J.S. Peterson primrose

©St. Mary’s College of California Water is a preciousin your resource landscape to be used andwisely. garden? In our gardens and Dwarf coyote bush landscapes, water is often applied in excess of what is actually College©St. Mary’s of California needed by the plant. In this way, we not only waste water and money, but we also contribute to poor plant health and environmental Steps to a BEAUTIFUL and WATER EFFICIENT Garden

pollution. With our population continuing to increase, a clean and 1. Improve the soil. A soil that is amended with compost and high in organic sustainable water supply may be the most important issue we face matter will absorb and hold water better than poor soils. This allows plant today. We CAN have beautiful lush gardens and landscapes and roots to penetrate deeper into the soil where they can utilize additional water use water efficiently at the same time! and nutrients. 2. Use Mulches. A 2-4 inch layer of organic mulch can provide many benefits:

erosion control, weed reduction, and moisture retention. Plant List Guide ___ Page 3. Select water-wise plants. By using plants that have low water requirements, a • Perennials……………………………………… 4-5 significant amount of water (and money) can be saved. REMEMBER, every • ………………………………………….... 6-7 plant requires some supplemental water while they are becoming established • Ornamental Grasses………………………….. 8 (one to two years). • Herbs …………… …………… …………….… 9 4. Consider reducing lawn areas or lawn alternatives. Because lawns require • Vines………………………………………….… 10 large amounts of water, fertilizer, money, and time, try and only plant as much • ……………………………….………… 11-13 as you need and make sure to plant the appropriate type of turfgrass for your • Ground Cover……………………………….... 14-15 climate. 5. Use hydrozoning. Group plants together that have the same exposure and Plant photographs in this booklet are used with permission of the water needs and then place them along the same irrigation lines. U.S. Department of Agriculture from the USDA PLANTS National Data Base. 1. DR = Deer Resistant 2. Sun: F = full sun, PS = partial shade 1. DR = Deer Resistant 2. Sun: F = full sun, PS = partial shade

2 Water-wise Landscaping University of California Cooperative Extension - Placer & Nevada Counties 15 GROUND COVER Botanical Name Common Name Mature Size DR1 Sun2 Remarks Irrigating the Home Landscape

Ht 8-24 in. Low maintenance Some Dos and Don’ts Baccharis pilularis Dwarf Coyote Bush Y F W 6+ ft. ground cover • Check your system regularly and carefully and repair broken Ht 1 ft. F to Spreads by rhizomes; Calyophus hartwegii Sierra Sundrop N irrigation lines, sprinklers, or drip emitters. W 2+ ft. PS yellow • Avoid overspray from sprinklers onto sidewalks, patios, or Ht 1 ft. Ceratostigma F to Shear or mow annually; Dwarf Plumbago W spreads N may be invasive; some other areas that don’t need to be irrigated plumbaginoides PS water in hottest areas rapidly • If you use an automatic irrigation timer, reset it 3 or 4 times Ht varies Pretty foliage and flowers; Cistus spp. Rockrose Y F during the year to adjust for the seasons. W varies good erosion control • Do not leave sprinkler or drip systems on so long that water Convolvulus Ht 1 ft. May be invasive; very Ground Morning Glory Y F begins to run off into the gutter or away from the landscape. sabaticus W spreads versatile • Know your plant materials and their water needs: some Ht varies F to Juniperus spp. Juniper Y Easy to grow plants need to be irrigated frequently, while others may not W varies PS need any irrigation water. Ht 1 ft. F to Spreads by Mahonia repens Creeping Mahonia Y W 3 ft. PS underground stems • Use separate irrigation valves and programs for turf areas. Typically, turf requires much more water than woody plants. Evening Primrose; Ht varies F to Oenothera spp. Y Can be invasive Sundrops W spreads PS • Irrigating shortly before sunrise is best for most plants. Avoid irrigating during windy periods. Ht 6 in. Spreads quickly; needs Potentilla verna Potentilla Y PS W spreads some water • Check the soil moisture often. This will give a good indication Ht 2-3 ft. Good under native when you need to water. Ribes viburnifolium Evergreen Currant Y PS W 8 ft. oaks • Monitor your plants regularly for signs of water deficit or Ht 1-2 ft. Look for cold-hardy excess. Rosmarinus spp. Rosemary Y F W 8 ft. varieties Source: Costello, L.R. and K.S. Jones.2003 Irrigating Ht 1 ft. Small pink flowers; can the Home Landscape, University of California Saponaria ocymoides Rock soapwort N F W 3+ ft. spread; likes some water Cooperative Extension, Half Moon Bay, CA 94019 Ht varies F to S. spathulifolium is Sedum spp. Stonecrop Y W varies PS California native The following Water-Efficient Plants are only a portion of the many Ht 8 in. plants that have low water requirements. Teucrium cossonii Germander Y F Stands poor soil W 1-2 ft. The Sunset Western Garden Book is a great resource for more plants Ht varies F to that fit into a water-wise landscape. Verbena spp. Verbena Y Many W varies PS Zone 7 - Typical winter lows 23o to 9oF. Record lows 15o to –1oF. Optimal growing season May through the first week of October. 1. DR = Deer Resistant 2. Sun: F = full sun, PS = partial shade 1. DR = Deer Resistant 2. Sun: F = full sun, PS = partial shade

14 Water-wise Landscaping University of California Cooperative Extension - Placer & Nevada Counties 3 PERENNIALS - CALIFORNIA NATIVES SHRUBS - CALIFORNIA NATIVES 1 2 Botanical Name Common Name Mature Size DR Sun Remarks Botanical Name Common Name Mature Size DR1 Sun2 Remarks

Eschscholzia Grown as summer Very low water; highly California Poppy Ht 8-24 in. Y F Adenostoma Ht 5-12 ft. californica annual; reseeds freely Chamise N F flammable - plant away fasciculatum W to 10 ft. from structures Ht 4-5 ft. PS to Deep taproot: little water Dicentra chrysantha Golden Eardrops N Ht 8-10 ft. F to Many selections incl. W 1-2 ft. Shade during flowering Arctostaphylos spp. Manzanita Y W 10-12 ft. PS California native Shrubby Monkey Ht to 4 ft. F to Woody-based Mimulus aurantiacus Y Ht 3 ft. Low growing; can W same PS perennial Baccharis pilularis Coyote Bush Y F withstand wind, heat and W 4-5 ft. Late spring and poor soil Ht 1-2 ft. Monardella villosa Coyote Mint N F summer bloomer; Carpenteria Ht 4-6 ft. Little water; resistant to W 1-1½ ft. Bush Anemone Y PS needs very little water californica W 4-6 ft. oak root fungus

Penstemon Ht 2 ft. F to Variable appearance; Ht varies Many selections for Foothill Penstemon Y Ceanothus spp. Wild Lilac Y F heterophyllus W 3 ft. PS free flowering W varies drought resistance *spreads indef. by Ht 6-10 ft. Evergreen or deciduous Ht 6-8 ft. rhizomes. Can be Cercocarpus spp. Mountain Mahogany N F Romneya coulteri Matilija Poppy Y F W 6-12 ft. choices; little or no water W * invasive; very large blossoms. Ht varies F to Dendromecon spp. Bush Poppy Y Little water Attractive to W varies PS Zauschneria Ht 1-2 ft. California Fuchsia Y F hummingbirds; silvery Fremontodendron Ht 20 ft. Rust-colored hairs on californica W 4+ ft. Flannel Bush Y F foliage; scarlet flowers californicum W 12 ft. plant can irritate skin Heteromeles Ht 10-25 ft. F to Bright red berries Toyon Y Common arbutifolia W 12-25 ft. PS November to January Yarrow Ht 3 ft. F to Mahonia repens Creeping Mahonia Y Good for winter color W 3 ft. PS ©St. Mary’s College©St. Mary’s of California Ht 10-25 ft. F to Red or blue edible ilicifolia Hollyleaf Cherry N California W 10-25 ft. PS in June is messy Poppy ©George F. Russell ©St. Mary’s College of California Ht 3-15 ft. F to Berries, if not eaten by Rhamnus californica Coffeeberry Y W 8 ft. PS birds, ripen green to red

Ht 3-6 ft. Fragrant evergreen PERENNIALS Ribes viburnifolium Evergreen Currant Y PS W 12 ft. Botanical Name Common Name Mature Size DR1 Sun2 Remarks Ht 3 ft. Many garden varieties Got questions? Call the UC Master Gardener HotLine Achillea millefolium Common Yarrow W spreads by Y F with different flower runners colors Placer County 530-889-7388 - Nevada County 530-273-0919

1. DR = Deer Resistant 2. Sun: F = full sun, PS = partial shade 1. DR = Deer Resistant 2. Sun: F = full sun, PS = partial shade

4 Water-wise Landscaping University of California Cooperative Extension - Placer & Nevada Counties 13 PERENNIALS Creeping 1 2 mahonia Botanical Name Common Name Mature Size DR Sun Remarks ©J.S. Peterson Ht to 4 ft. F or May need afternoon Agapanthus spp. Lily of the Nile Y silktassel W 3 ft. PS shade in hottest areas Ht 2½ ft. F or Fragrant ,

©St. Mary’s College of California Agastache rupestris Licorice Mint N W 1½ ft. PS orange flower spikes Wormwood, Angel’s Ht 2-3 ft. Many species; silvery Artemisia spp. Y F SHRUBS Hair, etc. W varies foliage; fragrant 1 2 Ht 1 ft. Soft, gray foliage; Botanical Name Common Name Mature Size DR Sun Remarks Centaurea cineraria Dusty Miller Y F W 1 ft. easy to grow Ht 10-15 ft. F to Very tolerant, fast- Dodonaea viscosa Hopseed Bush N Ht 2 ft. Other species suitable W 10-15 ft. PS growing shrub; evergreen Coreopsis lanceolata Coreopsis Y F W 1½ ft. to low water also Ht 10-15 ft. F to Can be sheared as Elaeagnus pungens Silverberry Y Ht varies Includes native W 10-15 ft. PS hedge Eriogonum spp. Wild Buckwheat Y F W varies E. fasciculatum Ht 18 ft. Great flowers; can Feijoa sellowiana Pineapple guava Y F Ht to 4 ft. Long bloomer on W 18 ft. take training or pruning Gaura lindheimeri Gaura N F W 2-3 ft. flower spikes Ht 9 ft. F to Evergreen; takes heat Garrya fermontii Silktassel Y Ht 2-4 ft. Long bloom period; W 9 ft. PS and cold Gaillardia grandiflora Blanket flower Y F W 2 ft. thrive in hot weather Ht 3-4 ft. Potentilla fruticosa Shrubby cinquefoil Y PS Very tough shrub Ht varies Water requirements W 3-4 ft. Iris spp. Iris Y Varies W varies vary. Ht Varies Orange-red berries; easy Pyracantha spp. Firethorn Y F Mexican Evening H 1 ft. F to Spreads by rhizomes; W Varies to grow Oenothera speciosa Y Primrose W 3 ft.+ PS aggressive Ht Varies Needs good drainage; Rhus spp. Sumac Y F fall color (deciduous) or Ht varies *PS in hottest areas W Varies evergreen Penstemon spp. Beard Tongue Y F* Numerous species, W varies some Calif. natives Ht Varies Try Salvia apiana, an Salvia spp. Sage Y Varies Ht 3-4 ft. Very resistant to heat W Varies evergreen Perovskia spp. Russian Sage N F W same and drought Ht 2-3 ft. Attractive foliage; Santolina spp. Lavender Cotton Y F Bush W 3 ft. aromatic Anemone Ht varies Succulent, many ©J.S. Peterson Sedum spp. Stone crop Y Varies W varies shapes & sizes Hollyleaf cherry Ht varies Tough plants that can Teucrium spp. Germander Y F W varies stand poor soils ©St. Mary’s College of California ©St. Mary’s College California of ©St. Mary’s College©St. Mary’s of California

1. DR = Deer Resistant 2. Sun: F = full sun, PS = partial shade 1. DR = Deer Resistant 2. Sun: F = full sun, PS = partial shade

12 Water-wise Landscaping University of California Cooperative Extension - Placer & Nevada Counties 5 TREES Botanical Name Common Name Mature Size DR1 Sun2 Remarks

Ht 8-35 ft. F or Good in a wide range ©J.S. Peterson

Arbutus unedo Strawberry Y ©J.S. Peterson W same PS of climates/soils

Ht. 20-25 ft. F or Deciduous, nice fall Acer buergeranum Trident Maple N acacia W same PS color

F or Resistant to oak root Celtis occidentalis Common Hackberry Ht 50 ft., Y almost as wide PS fungus Butterfly Bush Ht 20 ft. Resistant to oak root Cotinus coggygria Smoke Tree Y F W same fungus; train as tree ©J.S. Peterson ©J.S. Peterson

Ht. 40 ft. Mass for windbreak or Cupressus arizonica Arizona Cypress Y F W 20 ft. screen SHRUBS Botanical Name Common Name Mature Size DR1 Sun2 Remarks Ht. 25 ft. Excellent decorative Lagerstroemia indica Grape Myrtle Y F Spread varies tree; many varieties Ht varies Choose hardy varieties; Acacia spp. Acacia Y F W varies attractive to birds Ht. 12-40 ft. F or Traditional bay leaves Sweet Bay Y Evergreen or W same PS for cooking Ht varies F to deciduous; some Berberis spp. Barberry Y W varies PS varieties more drought Diverse heights/ Many choices for low Pinus spp. Various Pine species widths with Y F tolerant than others pruning water Ht 4-10 ft. F to May die to ground in Ht 40-60 ft. Resistant to oak root Buddleia davidii Butterfly Bush Y freeze, but will re-grow Pistacia chinensis Chinese Pistache N F W to 10 ft. PS in spring W 20-30 ft. fungus; good fall color Ht 6-8 ft. Attractive to Ht 10-30 ft. Evergreen; white Calliandra tweedii Brazilian Flame Bush Y F hummingbirds; showy Prunus lusitanica Portugal Laurel N F W 6-8 ft. W same flowers; shrub or tree flower clusters Ht 10-15 ft. Very tolerant of heat, Callistemon citrinus Lemon Bottlebrush Y F Quercus spp. Oak (see natives) —- — — —— W 10-15 ft. cold, or poor soils Ht varies Evergreen; white or Cistus spp. Rockrose Y F Ht 40 ft. Tolerates poor soil; W varies pink-tinted flowers Robina x ambigua Purple Robe N F W 20 ft. spreads by suckers Ht 12-15 ft. Cotinus coggygria Smoke Tree Y F Likes poor, rocky soil W to 6 ft. Ht 60 ft. Big tree; fairly tolerant Zelkova serrata Saw Zelkova N F W same of wind and drought Shrubs continued on page 12

1. DR = Deer Resistant 2. Sun: F = full sun, PS = partial shade 1. DR = Deer Resistant 2. Sun: F = full sun, PS = partial shade

6 Water-wise Landscaping University of California Cooperative Extension - Placer & Nevada Counties 11 VINES TREES - CALIFORNIA NATIVES 1 2 Botanical Name Common Name Mature Size DR Sun Remarks Botanical Name Common Name Mature Size DR1 Sun2 Remarks Plant in More tolerant of Ht 10-20 ft. 6-10 ft fast sun, Aesculus californica California Buckeye Y F Shrub or tree Clematis texensis Scarlet Celmatis N roots warm summers and W 20-30 ft. growing like cool low water shade Ht 75-90 ft. F or Can withstand heat Calocedrus decurrens Incense Cedar N 40 ft. can W 15 ft. PS and poor soils Fallopia Very vigorous, white Lace Vine cover large N F baldschuanica flowers All year interest; area Ht 75-90 ft. F or Cercis occidentalis Western Redbud N resistant to oak root Common White F to Very fragrant flowers; W 10-18 ft. PS Jasminum officinale To 30 ft. Y fungus Jasmine PS blooms all summer Q. kelloggii Native to Quercus spp. (many) Q. llobata Lonicera F to Mediterranean Woodbine 10-20 ft. N Q. doudlasii periclymenum PS region; fragrant Umbellularia Ht 25+ ft. Mass for windbreak or flowers California Bay N F californica W 25+ ft. screen Parthenocissus vigorous F to Nice crimson fall Virginia Creeper N quinquefolia grower PS color Passiflora spp. Passion Vine N Moderate water F to Vigorous grower and Rosa banksiae Lady Banks Rose To 20 ft. + N PS aphid resistant Native to California; F to Vitis californica California Wild Grape To 30 ft. N Nice red and yellow PS fall color Wisteria ssp. Wisteria Y F Very adaptable

COMMON WHITE Beard tongue jASMINE Scarlet Clematis Incense cedar Western Redbud

1. DR = Deer Resistant 2. Sun: F = full sun, PS = partial shade 1. DR = Deer Resistant 2. Sun: F = full sun, PS = partial shade

10 Water-wise Landscaping University of California Cooperative Extension - Placer & Nevada Counties 7 ORNAMENTAL GRASSES HERBS Botanical Name Common Name Mature Size DR1 Sun2 Remarks Botanical Name Common Name Mature Size DR1 Sun2 Remarks Not fussy as to soil and Ht 2-3 ft. F to Tolerates poor soil; Big Bluestem; Ht 3-5 ft. F to moisture; effective Borago officinalis Borage N Andropogon gerardii N W 2 ft. PS edible flowers Turkey Foot W 3 ft. PS screen; good accent plant Ht 2-3 ft. Many uses in the Origanum spp. Oregano; Marjoram N F kitchen; may need Ht 2 ft. Tough, heat and W 2-3 ft. Bouteloua spp. Bouteloua Y F some afternoon shade W 2 ft. drought tolerant Ht varies Not all are low water Salvia spp. Sage N F Rattlesnake Grass; Clusters of nodding plants or used as herbs Briza media Ht 1-2 in. Y F W varies Quaking Grass seed-bearing spikelets Ht varies T. vulgaris (common Deschampsia Ht 2 ft. Excellent in dry, Thymus spp. Thyme N PS Crinkled Hair Grass Y PS W varies thyme) a good choice flexuosa W 1 ft. woodland shade Ht varies Choose hardiest types; Ht 2-3 ft. F to Low, vigorous clumps of Rosmarinus officinalis Rosemary N F very versatile indoors Leymus arenarius Blue Lyme Grass N blue-green leaves; good W varies and out W 2 ft. PS soil binder Perennial type used for Ht to 6 ft. F to Silvery green foliage Ht 3-5 ft. seeds and leaves; Miscanthus sinensis Maiden Grass Y Foeniculum vulgare Fennel N F W to 6 ft. PS turns bronze in fall W 2 ft. annual type for edible leaf bases Muhlenbergia Ht 3 ft. F to Dark green mounded Pink Muhly N form with feathery capillaris W 6 ft. PS reddish flowers

Ht 4 ft. F to Dense clumps of foliage Muhlenbergia rigens Deer Grass N with yellow or purple W 4 ft. PS flower spikes Nodding Needle Ht 3 ft. Deep green leaves; Nassella cernua N F Grass W 2 ft. purple awns to 4½ ft. Ht 4-7 ft. F to Foliage turns yellow in Panicum virgatum Switch Grass Y W 2-4 ft. PS fall, then beige Ht 3 ft. F to “Little Bunny” dwarf Pennisetum spp. Fountain Grass Y W 3 ft. PS 1½ ft. wide and high Blue lyme grass Giant Feather grass Ht 3 ft. Tough, deep rooted; can Sporobolus airoides Alkali Sacaton N F W 3 ft. take alkaline conditions Remember: All plants need some water to help get established Ht 2-3 ft. Open, airy flowers can Stipa gigantea Giant Feather Grass Y F in their new homes. The terms “drought tolerant,” W 2-3 ft. rise to 6 ft. “low water,” and “water-wise” usually refer to the water requirements of an established plant.

1. DR = Deer Resistant 2. Sun: F = full sun, PS = partial shade 1. DR = Deer Resistant 2. Sun: F = full sun, PS = partial shade

8 Water-wise Landscaping University of California Cooperative Extension - Placer & Nevada Counties 9