Common name:New Zealand Flax selections
Botanical name:Phormium cultivars

New Zealand Flax is a large, bold plant with stiffly vertical, sword-like, green leaves that arise from its base. It should be grown under full sun for best color. Varieties will offer different growth habits and leaf color.

Common name:Small Cape Rush
Botanical name:Chondropetalum tectorum

Chondropetalum tectorum has 3'-4' tall stems that shoot out in all directions from the roots. Each stem has papery bracts connected to the ends that turn from tan to dark drown, then fall off. Chondropetalum can grow in marshes, in the ground with regular watering, or in drought conditions.

Common name:Gulf Stream Heavenly Bamboo
Botanical name:Nandina domestica 'Gulf Stream'

Gulf Stream Heavenly Bamboo is a small shrub that is great for accenting because of its unusual red and yellow colored foliage.

Common name:Blue Fescue
Botanical name:Festuca glauca

This ground cover/grass will grow less than 1' tall and has small, blue green leaves.

Common name:Olive
Botanical name:Olea europaea

This broad tree will grow to 40' tall and has small, gray green leaves with fleshy black fruit that appears in fall. Purchase fruitless varieties to avoid the mess.

Common name:Protea
Botanical name:Protea cultivars

This attractive flowering plant produces large tight clusters that are tubular in form and are surrounded by colored bracts. Therefore, a very colorful artichoke or thistle will bloom. As cut flowers, their color will endure for weeks, and their shape will remain long afterward.

Dealing With Drought

More than half of the water used at your home is for outside purposes. Studies show that on average, half of the water used outdoors is wasted. The leading cause of waste is incorrectly set and poorly managed irrigation controllers. The second biggest cause of wastage is broken irrigation equipment that goes undetected. There are a few basic things you can do to make a big difference in your water use.

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