This document provides a drought tolerant plant guide for the Mammoth Lakes area of California. It lists many California native perennial flowers and some non-native options that thrive with little water once established. The guide emphasizes that all newly planted plants need regular water at first and recommends watering no more than twice per week for most plants. It also provides tips on mulching and considering irrigation needs when planning landscaping.

1. Drought Tolerant Plant Guide
for Mammoth Lakes, California
Due to its high elevation and variable mountainous climate,
the Mammoth Lakes area poses a challenging environment
for plants. The following list provides information about
hardy, water efficient plants and flowers that when arranged
effectively and maintained properly, create an aesthetically
pleasing, colorful yard. Many of the plants listed in this guide
are native to the area, while some are exotic.
It is important to remember that when newly planted, all
plants require a good amount of water. However, these plants
thrive on a twice-a-week or less watering schedule once
established. After planting, deep soaking less frequently at
longer intervals encourages root development deep in the soil
where there is still moisture, even after the top few inches have
dried out. Using a two to six inch layer of mulch will help
retain moisture and soil temperature, while helping to conserve
water.
Make sure to take into consideration your irrigation system
when planning your landscape, as different plants will have
different watering needs. There are plenty of gardening guides
and websites that can provide more details on the plants with
which you choose to landscape. Local nurseries can also
provide more information and answer questions about
landscaping in the area.

2. California Native Perennial Flowers
Achillea millefolium Astragalus
Yarrow Milkvetch, numerous
Prefers full sun, little water, is Prefer full sun and litlle water. Flowers
deer resistant. Flowers are white are white, pink and purple with pods,
or yellow, blooming spring through blooming in late spring through
fall. Grows one to four feet. summer. Grow to one foot. This plant
can be poisonous.
Anemone California Drummonds Anemone
Prefers full sun, little water and is deer resistant. White, Baileya multiradata
lavender and blue flower bloom in early summer. Grows to Desert Marigold
one foot. Prefers full sun and very little water.
Yellow flowers bloom in spring through
Antennaria dioica Pussy Toes, numerous early summer. Grows to two feet.
Prefer full sun and very little water. Flowers are white and pink
and bloom in spring. Grow to six inches.
Baptista australis
Aquilegia Wild Indigo or Blue False Indigo
Columbine, Prefers full sun and little water. Flowers are blue and violet,
Western Red and others blooming in spring through early summer. Grows to five feet.
Prefer sun to partial shade, little
water, and is deer resistant. Calochortus bruneaunis, C. leichtlinaii
Flowers can be many colors,
blooming from spring to early
Mariposa Lily
summer. Grow to three feet. Prefers sun to partial shade and very little water. Flowers are
white, sometimes yellow or purple, blooming in summer. Grows
to one foot.
Argemone munita Castilleja, miniata linariifolia
Prickly Poppy Indian or Desert Paintbrush,
Prefers full sun, very little water, and is deer
resistant. White flowers bloom in spring
numerous
through summer. Grows to five feet. Prefer full sun and very little water.
Flowers can be yellow, orange-red and
bright pink, blooming spring through fall.
Grow from one t o three feet. This plant
Armeria Thrift, Sea Pink is semi parasitic.
Prefers full sun, little water and is
deer resistant. Pink flowers
bloom in spring through Clematis texensis, C. lasiantha
summer. Grows to one foot. Scarlet Clematis
Prefers sun and partial shade and little water. Pink and red
flowers bloom in early summer. This vine can reach nine feet.
Asclepias speciosa, A. fascicularis Coreopsis Coreopsis, numerous
Showy and Narrowleaf Milkweed Prefer full sun, little water and is deer resistant. Silver foliage
with yellow flowers, blooming in summer. Grow to four feet.
Prefer full sun and little water. Flowers can be orange, pink, and
violet, blooming in all summer. Grow to four feet.
Delphinium gracilentum
Asclepias tuberose Butterfly Weed Meadow Larkspur
Prefers full sun, little water and is deer
Prefers full sun, very little water and is deer resistant. Orange
resistant. Blue flowers bloom in mid
flowers will bloom summer through early fall. Grows to two feet.
summer. Grows to seven feet.
Low maintenance landscaping is only one benefit of incorporating native plants
that are already adapted to the local environment.

3. California Native Perennial Flowers
Dicentra formosa Western Bleeding Heart Eriophyllum confertiflorum Golden Yarrow
Prefers shade, little water, and is deer resistant. Pink and Prefers sun to partial shade, and very little water. Yellow
purple flower bloom in spring and early summer. Grows to three flowers bloom in spring. Grows to three feet.
feet.
Eriophyllum lanatum Wooly Sunflower
Diplacus longiflorus, Prefers full sun and little water. Yellow flowers bloom in the
D. aurantiacus (Mimulus) summer. Grows to eighteen inches.
Southern Bush and Sierra
Monkeyflower Eschscholzia californica
Prefers partial shade, little water and is California Poppy
deer resistant. Flowers can be white, Prefers full sun, very little water and is deer
yellow or orange and bloom in spring resistant. Yellow-orange flowers bloom
through summer. Grows to three feet. from spring through summer. Grows to one
foot. This is the state flower of California.
Dodecatheon Jeffery’s Shooting Star
Prefers full sun, little water. Red, pink or purple flowers bloom in Gaillardia aristata
summer. Grows to two feet. Blanketflower
Prefers full sun, little water and is deer
Echinacea Purple Coneflower resistant. Flowers are multi colored: yellow
Prefers sun to partial shade, little water and orange and red, blooming from spring
is deer resistant. Flowers can be purple to through fall. Grows to two feet.
red, blooming from summer through fall.
Grows to three feet. Gilia, Ipomosis aggregata
Star, Skyrocket, and Scarlet Gilia
Prefers full sun and little water. Flowers are red or pink,
blooming from summer to fall. Grows to six feet.
Epilobium angustifolium Fireweed
Prefers full sun and little water. Pink and purple flowers bloom
from mid to late summer. Grows to eight feet. Heuchera sanguinea
Coral Bells or Alumroot
Prefers partial shade, little water and
Erigeron eatonaii Eaton's Daisy is deer resistant. Red and pink
Prefers sun to partial shade and little water. White flowers flowers bloom from summer to fall.
bloom in the summer. Grows to one foot. Grows to three feet.
Eriogonum
Wild Buckwheat, Numerous Hymenoxys acaulis Daisy, Sundancer
Prefers full sun, little water and is Prefers full sun, little water and is deer resistant. Yellow flowers
deer resistant. Flowers can be bloom from spring to fall. Grows to three feet.
white or pink, blooming in spring
through fall. Grows from one to three
feet.
Iris douglasiana,
I. gemanica, I. versicolor
Douglas Western, Bearded
Eriogonum umbrellatum and Western Blue Flag Iris
Sulfur Flower Buckwheat Prefers sun and partial shade, and
little water. Blue or purple flowers
Prefers sun to partial shade and very little
bloom in late spring. Grows from
water. White or yellow flowers bloom in
one to three feet.
summer. Grows from one to three feet.
One good rule of thumb when watering is to wait until soil is slightly dry to the touch…
By doing this, you will mimic the amount of water
that the plant would receive in its natural environment.

4. California Native Perennial Flowers
Liatris Gayfeather Polemonium californicum
Prefers sun, partial shade and shade with little water. Purple California Jacob's Ladder
and fuchsia flowers bloom from mid summer to early fall. Grows Prefers partial shade, very little water and is deer resistant.
to four feet. Blue flowers bloom in early summer. Grows to one foot.
Linum perenne lewisii Salvia Sage, numerous
Blue Flax Prefer full sun, very little water and is deer
Prefers sun and partial shade, very resistant. Blue, purple or pink flowers
little water and is deer resistant. Violet bloom in spring and summer. Grow to
flowers bloom from late spring through three feet.
summer. Grows to three feet.
Sedum obtusatum Stonecrop, Sierra
Lupinus argentius, L. albifrons Prefers sun, partial shade or shade, and very little water. Flow-
Silver Bush Lupine and others ers can be yellow or pink, blooming in spring through summer.
Prefers sun, partial shade and shade, very little water and is Grows to one foot.
deer resistant. Flowers can be yellow, purple and blue, bloom-
ing from spring to mid summer. Grows to five feet. Sisyrinchium bellum
Blue Eyed Grass
Monarda Prefers fun sun and little water. Blue,
Bee Balm or Horsemint purple, or white flowers bloom from spring
Prefers sun to partial shade, little through late summer. Grows to one foot.
water, and is deer resistant.
Flowers can be red, white, pink Sphaeralcea angustifolia, S. ambigua
or purple, blooming in mid summer.
Grows to three feet.
Apricot Globe Mallow
Prefers full sun and very little water. Flower s are orange or
pink, blooming from spring to fall. Grows to six feet.
Monardella odoratissima
Mountain Pennyroyal or Coyotemint Sphenosciatum capitellatum Rangers Buttons
Prefers full sun and little water. Lavender flowers bloom in mid Prefers full sun and little water. White flowers bloom in the sum-
summer. Grows to one foot. mer. Grows to four feet.
Oenothera Evening Primrose Thaliactrum Meadow Rue
Prefers full sun and very little water. Prefers sun to partial shade and little
Yellow flowers bloom in summer. water. Lavender and pink flowers bloom
Grows to six feet. in spring. Grows from three to four feet.
Oenothera belandieri, O. caespitosa
Mexican and White Evening Primrose Wyethia mollis Wooly Mule’s Ears
Prefer full sun and little water. Flowers are white, sometimes Prefers full sun and little water. Flowers are yellow and bloom in
pink , blooming in summer. Grow one to two feet. Mexican spring. Grows from one to two feet.
Evening Primrose is considered invasive.
Zauschneria, epilobium
Paeonia Herbaceous Peony California Fuchsia or
Prefers sun to partial shade, little water and is deer resistant.
Flowers can be white, pink, deep red and lavender, blooming in Hummingbird's Trumpet
spring. Grows to four feet. Prefers sun, little water and is deer
resistant. Red or pink flowers bloom
in early fall. Can grow one to five feet.
Penstemon Beard Tounge, numerous
Prefer sun to partial shade and little water. Flowers can be vari-
ous colors, blooming in early summer. Grow to four feet.
Extremely drought tolerant plants will need water about once every two weeks.

5. Non—
Non—Native Perennial Flowers
Allium senescens Dianthus Pinks
Corkscrew Ornamental Onion Prefers sun to partial shade and little water.
Prefers sun to partial shade, little water White, pink and red flowers bloom from
and is deer resistant. Violet colored spring to fall. Grows from six to eighteen
flowers bloom in summer. Grows to one inches.
foot.
Dianthus barbatus Sweet William
Anagallis Pimpernel Prefers partial shade, little water and is deer resistant. Flowers
Prefers full sun and little water. Orange, red or blue flowers can be white, pink or red, blooming in mid summer. Grows to
bloom from late spring through fall. Grows to eighteen inches. eighteen inches.
Artemesia stelleriana Dusty Miller Digitalis Foxglove, some
Prefers sun to partial shade and very little water. Silver foliage Prefers shade, little water and is
with yellow flowers, blooming from spring to fall. Grows six deer resistant. Flowers can be
inches to one foot. This plant can be poisonous. yellow, white, pink, purple or
lavender, blooming in early
summer. Grows from three to six
Aurina Allysum feet. This plant is considered
Prefers sun to partial shade, little water and is deer resistant. poisonous.
Pink or white flowers bloom spring to fall. Grows to ten inches.
Callirhoe ivolucrata Erysimum hieraciifolium,
Winecups E. alpinum
Prefers sun to partial shade and
little water. Magenta flowers bloom Siberian Wallflower
from spring to fall. Grows to one foot. Prefers sun to partial shade and little
water. Orange flowers bloom in spring
to early summer. Grows to two feet.
Campanula alpina Alpine Bellflower
Prefers shade and little water. Blue-violet flowers bloom in mid
summer. Grows to six inches. Euphorbia palmeri Woodland Spurge
Prefers full sun and little water. Flowers are green with yellow or
pink detail, blooming in early summer. Grows to eighteen
Catananche caerulea Cupid's Dart inches. This plant is considered poisonous.
Prefers full sun and little water. Violet flowers bloom from mid
summer through fall. Grows to three feet.
Gaura lindheimeri
Appleblossom Grass
Centranthus ruber Prefers full sun and very little
Red Valerian water. Pink and white flowers
Prefers sun to partial shade and very bloom from spring to fall . Grows
little water. Flowers can be red or to three feet.
fuchsia, blooming in summer. Grows to
three feet.
Helleborus foetidus Bearpaw Helleborus
Chamomelum nobile Chamomile Prefers shade and very little water. Flowers can be yellow–
Prefers full sun and little water. White flowers bloom from sum- green or blue with red detail, blooming in spring. Grows to two
mer to fall. Grows to two feet. feet. This plant is considered poisonous.
Chrysantemum maximum Hemerocallis Daylily
Shasta Daisy Prefers sun to partial shade and little water. Flowers appear in
Prefers full sun and little water. White all colors but blue, blooming in summer. Grows to four feet.
flowers bloom from summer to fall. Grows
to three feet.
Mildly drought tolerant plants will require watering no more than twice weekly.

6. Non—
Non—Native Perennial Flowers
Hunnemannia fumariifolia Papaver orientale Oriental Poppy
Mexican Tulip Poppy or Goldencup Prefers full sun, little water and is deer resistant. Flowers are
Prefers full sun and very little water. Yellow flowers bloom in typically deep orange though they can sometimes be white or
Mid summer to fall. Grows from two to three feet. pink, blooming in spring. Grows to three feet.
Hymenoxys scaposa Ratibida columnifera
Perky Sue or Four Nerve Daisy Prairie Coneflower
Prefers full sun, very little water and is deer resistant. Yellow Prefers full sun and little water.
flowers bloom from late spring to fall. Grows to three feet. Yellow, orange and deep red
flowers bloom in summer.
Hyssop officinalis Hyssop Grows to three feet.
Prefers sun and partial shade, little to very little water, and is
deer resistant. Flowers are pink and blue, blooming from late Santolina chamaecyparissus Lavender Cotton
spring to fall. Grows to three feet. Prefers sun, very little water and is deer resistant. Silver foliage
with yellow flowers, blooming in spring. Grows to eighteen
Kniphofia uvaria inches. Pollen allergies associated with this plant.
Red Hot Poker
Prefers full sun, little water and is deer Scabiosa Pincushion Flower
resistant . Red-orange flowers appear Prefers full sun, little water and is deer resistant. White, pink,
from mid summer through fall. Grows violet or blue flowers bloom spring to fall. Grows to three feet.
three to five feet.
Sedum spectabile
Autumn Joy Sedum or
Lavendula angustifolia Lavender Stonecrop
Prefers full sun and very little water.
Prefers sun, little water and is deer resistant. Purple and blue
Flowers can be red, pink or cream
flowers bloom from late spring to summer. Grows to two feet.
colored, blooming from spring through
late summer. Grows to eighteen inches.
Limonium Sea Lavendar or Statice
Prefers full sun, very little water, and is deer resistant. Purple
flowers bloom from spring to summer. Grows to three feet.
Stachys byzantia Lambsear
Nepeta Catmint Prefers sun to partial shade, little water
Prefers sun, very little water and is and is deer resistant. The foliage on this
deer resistant. Blue-violet flowers plant is grey. It will grow one to three feet.
bloom in late spring. Grows to five
feet.
Tropaeolum Garden Nasturtium
Prefers sun to partial shade and little water. Flowers can be
many shades of yellow and orange on one plant, blooming in the
Papaver alpinum, summer. Grows to eighteen inches. Though not a perennial,
P. nudicaule this plant reseeds annually.
Alpine and Iceland Poppy
Prefer full sun, little water and are Veronica Speedwell
deer resistant. Both have multi- Prefers full sun and little water.
colored flowers. White, orange, Blue and purple flowers bloom
yellow and pink flowers, bloom in spring. Grows to one foot.
from early to mid summer. P. Choose hardier groundcovers
alpinium grows to one foot, while like V. oltensis or V. pectinata.
P. nudicaule grows to two feet.
Keep in mind that even though much of the hardiness of plants with very low water needs is diminished
by excessive watering, supplemental water is typically needed for any newly planted vegetation.

7. Shrubs
Acer ginnala Amur Maple Cercocarpus ledifolius,
Prefers sun to partial shade and very little water. Turns a fiery C. montanus
orange in fall. Grows from fifteen to twenty feet. Mountain Mahogany
Prefers sun and very little water.
Amelanchier alnifolia, A. canadensis This plant has silver to deep green
Shadbrush or Western Serviceberry foliage, grows six to twelve feet
Prefer full sun and little water. Green foliage with white flowers, and is native to California.
blooming in late spring. Grow to ten feet and is native to
California. Berries on this shrub are edible. Chamaebatiaria millifolium Fernbush
Prefers full sun, little water and is deer resistant. White flowers
bloom in summer. Grows six to eight feet. Native to California.
Arctostphlos uva ursi
Manzanita,
Kinnikinnick, and Cotoneaster divaricatus, C. multiflorus
Bearberry 'Point Reyes' Cotoneaster
Prefer full sun, very little water and are deer resistant. Bears red
Prefer full sun, little water and is deer
berries and inconspicuous white or pink flowers, blooming in
resistant. White-pink flowers bloom
spring. Grows four to fifteen feet.
in late spring. Grow to ten feet. Native to California.
Artemesia absinthium, A. cana, Fallugia paradoxa
A. schmidliana Apache Plume
Wormwood, Southernwood, Prefers full sun and very little water.
White flowers with pink and purple
California and Silver Sagebrush plumes bloom in late spring. Grows
Prefer sun to partial shade, little to very little water and are deer six feet and is native to California.
resistant. Green to blue-grey foliage with yellow-pink flowers,
blooming from summer to fall. Grow to four feet and are native to
California. ‘Palace Castle’ is an especially hardy hybrid. Forestiera neomexicana Desert Olive
Prefers full sun, little water and is deer resistant. Grows to eight
feet and is native to California.
Buddleia davidii Butterfly Bush
Prefers sun to partial shade, little water and is deer resistant.
Purple flowers bloom from spring to summer. Grows to ten feet. Forsythia Golden Bells
Prefers full sun, little water and is deer resistant. Yellow flowers
bloom in spring. This wide plant grows to ten feet. Hardy
Caragana arborescens hybrids grow best in our climate.
Siberian Peashrub
Prefers full sun, little water and is
Holodiscus discolor, H. dumosus
deer resistant. Yellow flowers bloom
from spring to early summer. Grows Mountain Spray, Rock Spirea Cream Bush
six to ten feet. Prefer partial shade, very little water and deer resistant. Cream
colored flowers bloom early to mid summer. Grow to seven feet
and are native to California.
Caryopteris clandonensis
Blue Mist Bluebeard Ipomea leptophylla
Prefers sun to partial shade, little water and is deer resistant. Bush Morning Glory
Blue-purple flowers bloom in summer. Grows to five feet. Prefers full sun and very little water.
White, pink, purple and blue flowers
Ceanothus Wild Lilac bloom from late spring to summer.
Prefers sun to partial shade and very Grows to five feet.
little water. Flowers are purple or
white, blooming in late spring. Grows
to eight feet and is native to California.
Arrange your plants according to their individual moisture and sunlight needs…

8. Shrubs
Juniperus Juniper, Polygonum aubrerti Silver Lace Vine
most, not conferta Prefers full sun and little water. White flowers bloom from spring
Prefer sun to partial shade, very through fall. This vine can grow upwards of twenty feet.
little water and are deer resistant.
Foliage is green-grey. Grows
to fifteen feet. Choose species
Potentilla
native to California. Cinquefoil, numerous
Prefer full sun very little water, and
are deer resistant. White, yellow or
Kolkwitzia amabilis Beauty Bush pink flowers bloom all summer. Grow
Prefers sun to partial shade, little water and is deer resistant. to four feet and is native to California.
Pink and red flowers bloom from late spring to early summer.
Grows to ten feet.
Prunus andersonii
Desert Peach
Mahonia aquifolium, M. repens Prefers sun and very little water.
Oregon Grape , Creeping Barberry Flowers are pink or white,
Prefer partial shade, very little water and are deer resistant. Blooming in spring. Grows to six
Yellow flowers bloom from late spring to early summer. Grow to feet and is native to California.
three feet and are native to California.
Pervoskia atriplicifolia Russian Sage Prunus besseyi Western Sand Cherry
Prefer full sun, very little water and are deer resistant. Foliage is Prefers full sun and little to very little water. Inconspicuous white
silver with blue-violet flowers, blooming from spring to fall. Grows flowers bloom in spring. Grows to six feet.
to four feet.
Prunus virginiana Western Chokecherry
Philadelphus lewisii, Prefers partial shade, little water and is deer resistant. White
P. microphyllus flowers bloom in spring. Grows to fifteen feet and is native to
Wild Mock Orange and California.
other natives
Prefers sun to partial shade, little to very Rhamnus californica
little and is deer resistant. White flowers Coffeeberry
bloom in early summer. Grows to six Prefers sun to partial shade,
feet. Native to California. very little water, and is deer
resistant. Grows to eight feet
Physocarpus opulifolius, and is native to California. This
is an evergreen shrub.
P. monogynus
Common and Mountain
Ninebark Rhamnus cathartica, R. frangula
Prefer sun, partial shade and shade Alder and Tallhedge Buckthorn
and little water. Flowers can be Prefer full sun and little water. Flowers are very inconspicuous.
white, pink, orange or red and Grow to fifteen feet. Rhamnus is invasive in some areas.
bloom in early summer. Grows to
five feet tall and from six to ten feet Rhus aromatic , R. typhina
wide. Native to California. Fragrant, Staghorn and
Smooth Sumac
Pinus mugo mughus Mugho Pine Prefer full sun, little water and are deer
Prefers sun to partial shade, very little water and is deer resistant. Yellow and red flowers
resistant. Dark green foliage grows to three feet tall and six feet bloom in late spring. Grows to five
wide. feet.
Vegetation with very low water needs should be planted near other less-thirsty species.
Planting in groups makes them more likely to thrive
than vegetation that has been planted randomly around a landscape.

9. Shrubs Groundcovers
Ribes alpinium, R. aureum, Anacyclus depressus Mount Atlas Daisy
R. nevadense R. odoratum Prefers full sun and little water. White flowers bloom from late
Alpine, Golden, and Pink Sierra spring through summer. Grows to one foot.
Currant or Gooseberry
Prefer partial shade, little water and are Androsace sarmentosa Rock Jasmine
deer resistant. Yellow and pink flowers Prefers sun to partial shade and little water. Flowers are pink or
bloom in spring. Grows to six feet and is native to California. violet, blooming in late summer. Grows to six inches.
This plant can be prone to disease.
Campanula poscharskyana
Rosa woodsii Serbian Bellflower
Wild or Wood’s Rose Prefers partial shade and little water. Blue flowers bloom in
Prefers sun, partial shade and shade and early summer. Grows to one foot.
little water. Pink flowers bloom in summer.
Grows to six feet. Native to California.
Cerastium tormentosum Snow ’n’ Summer
Prefers full sun, very little water. Deer resistant. Silver foliage
Salix exigua Narrowleaf or Coyote Willow with white flowers, blooming in late spring. Grows to six inches.
Prefers partial shade and little water. Foliage is green-grey with
yellow flowers blooming in spring. Grows to six feet and is
native to California. Corethrogyne filaginifolia
'Silver Carpet'
Sambucus racemosa California Aster
Mountain Red Elderberry Prefers partial shade, very little water
and is deer resistant. Violet or pink
Prefers sun to partial shade and very little water. Pale yellow or
flowers bloom in summer. Grows
white flowers bloom in spring. Grows to twenty five feet and is
from six inches to three feet. Native to California.
native to California.
Shepherdia argentea Silver Buffalo Berry Iberis Candytuft
Prefers full sun, little water and is deer resistant. White, pink or
Prefers full sun and very little water. Has bright red berries with
lavender flowers bloom in summer. Grows to one foot.
yellow flowers blooming in summer. Grows to fifteen feet and is
native to California.
Phlox stolonifera, P. subulata
Symphoricarpos Phlox, numerous
Prefers full sun, little water and is deer resistant. White, pink,
Mountain Snowberry
red, blue or lavender flowers blooms from spring to summer.
or Coralberry Grows to one foot.
Prefers sun, partial shade and
shade, very little water and is deer
resistant. Pink flowers bloom in Sedum spurium Stonecrop
summer. Grows to four feet and Prefers full sun and very little water. Pink and red flowers
is native to California. bloom in summer. Grows to six inches.
Sempervivum tectorum
Hens and Chicks
Prefers partial shade, little water
and is deer resistant. White and
Groundcovers pink flowers bloom in summer.
Grows to six inches.
Achillea tormentosa Wooly Yarrow Thymus Thyme, numerous
Prefers full sun, little water and is deer resistant. Yellow flowers Prefers full sun, little water and is deer resistant. White and pink
bloom in summer. Grows to one foot. flowers bloom in spring. Grows to six inches.
Moist, low-lying , and north or east facing areas of a property are better suited to support thirstier species.

10. Grasses
Andropogon saccharoides Helictotrichon sempervirens
Silver Beard Grass Blue Avena Oat Grass
Prefers sun to partial shade and little water. Prefers full sun, little water and is deer resistant. Silver and
Wheat colored grass grows to five feet wheat colored grass grows to five feet.
Blepharneuron tricholepis Hesperostipa comata
Mountain Mist Grass Needle and Thread Grass
Prefers sun to partial shade and little water. Green to pink Prefers full sun and very little water. Yellow grass grows to four
colored grass grows to two feet. feet. This grass is native to California.
Bouteloua grecilis Blue Grama Leymus triticoides Creeping Wild Rye
Prefers full sun and very little water. Green-grey colored grass Prefers sun to partial shade and little water. Green-blue grass
grows to eighteen inches. This turf grass is native to California. grows to two feet.
Calamagrostis cutiflora Oryzopsis hymenoides
Feather Reed Grass Indian Rice Grass
Prefers sun to partial shade, little water Prefers full sun and very little
and is deer resistant. Wheat colored water. Yellow grass grows to
grass grows from four to five feet tall. three feet. This grass is native to
California.
Elymus cinereus Great Basin Wild Rye
Prefers full sun and very little water. Green-blue colored grass Pancium virgatum
grows to five feet. Switch Grass, numerous
Prefers sun to partial shade, very little
Elytrigia elongate Tall Wheatgrass water and is deer resistant. Grass
Prefers full sun and little water. Wheat colored grass grows to colors can range from wheat to green or
five feet. red, growing to five feet.
Erainthus ravennae Plume Grass Poa scabrella Needlegrass
Prefers sun and little water. Green-grey colored grass grows Prefers sun to partial shade and little water. Green colored
six to twelve feet tall and is considered invasive in some areas. grass grows to two feet. Native to California.
Festuca glauca Schizachyrium scoparium
Blue Fescue Little Bluestem
Prefers full sun, little water and is deer Prefers sun to partial shade, very little
resistant. Blue to silver colored grass water and is deer resistant. Blue to
Grows to one foot. silver colored grass grows to three feet.
Festuca ovina Blue or Sheep Fescue
Prefers sun to partial shade, little water and is deer resistant.
Blue-green grass grows to six inches. Sorghastrum nutans
Indian Grass
Festuca Rubra Creeping Red Fescue Prefers full sun, little water and is deer
resistant. Green and yellow colored grass
Prefers partial shade and very little water. Reddish and green
grows to five feet.
colored turf grass grows from six inches to three feet.
There are two simple signs to look out for when your lawn need irrigating. Your lawn will appear lighter
green and when you walk across your lawn, the grass stalks don’t spring back, leaving footprints.

11. Trees
Abies numerous native Fir, especially White Juniperus Juniper, most
Prefer sun to partial shade, little water and are deer resistant. Prefer sun to partial shade, very
Foliage is silvery blue-green. Grow from seventy five to one little water and are deer resistant.
hundred and eighty feet tall. Choose California native firs. Foliage is green-grey. Grows from
fifteen to fifty feet tall. Choose
California native junipers.
Acer grandidentatum
Bigtooth or Rocky
Mountain Sugar Maple Larix occidentalis Western Larch
Prefer sun to partial shade and Prefers sun and little water. Pale green foliage turns gold. Grows
little water. Foliage is green until from one hundred to one hundred eighty feet. This tree is very
autumn, when fall colors appear. fire resistant.
Grow ten to twenty feet.
Picea pungens
Acer nigrum Black Maple Colorado Spruce
Prefer sun to partial shade and little water. Foliage is green until Prefer sun to partial shade,
autumn, when fall colors appear. Grow seventy five to one hun- very little water and is deer
dred twenty feet tall. resistant. Foliage is silvery-
blue. Grows to sixty feet.
Calocedrus (Libocedrus)
decurrens
Incense Cedar Pinus many native Pine, especially Jeffrey
Prefers sun to partial shade and very Prefer full sun, very little water and are deer resistant. Foliage
little water. Foliage is green. Grows on pines is dark green. Lodgepole pine grow upwards of eighty
One hundred twenty to one hundred feet while sugar and ponderosa pines can reach a height of two
eighty feet tall. This tree is native to hundred feet or more. Choose California native pines.
California.
Prunus maackii Amur Chokecherry
Celtis reticulate Hackberry Prefers sun and little to very little water. Foliage can be white or
Prefers full sun and very little water as it ages. Foliage is silvery cream colored. Grows to thirty feet.
green. Grows to thirty feet and is native to California.
Quercus coccinea, Q. borealis,
Crataegus ambigua Russian Hawthorne Q. macrocarpa, Q. palustris
Prefers full sun, little water and is deer resistant. Bears red Scarlet, Northern Red, Bur and Pin Oak
berries and white or pink flowers. Grows fifteen to forty feet. Prefer sun and little to very little water. Foliage is green until
autumn, when fall colors appear. Grow to eighty feet.
Gleditsia triacanthos Honey Locust
Prefers full sun, little water and is deer resistant. Foliage is Quercus gambelii
green to yellow. Grows from thirty to seventy feet tall. This tree Rocky Mountain White Oak
needs plenty of root space. Prefers sun and little water. Foliage
is green until autumn, when fall colors
Gymnocladus dioica appear. Grows from twenty to thirty
Kentucky Coffee Tree feet tall.
Prefers full sun and very little
water. Female trees have purple
flowers. Grows from sixty to Syringa vulgaris Lilac
seventy five feet tall. Prefers full sun, little water and is deer resistant. Flowers are
white to violet. Grows to fifteen feet and is native to California.
Using organic mulch, such as bark, wood chips or evergreen needles, around trees and in shrub beds
reduces soil temperature and will eventually break down, adding nutrients to the soil.

12. Sources of Information Special Thank You
• Sunset Western Garden Book • Wayne Hinkel of Bishop Nursery,
Bishop, California
• Eastern Sierra Regional Fire Safe Council
• Elizabeth Tenney
• “Plants That Thrive in Eastern Sierra Gardens”
Compiled by: • Gail Mueller of Evergreen Landscape,
Karen Ferrell-Ingram, native plant Mammoth Lakes, California
propagator
Sherryl Taylor, Garden Club of America / • Jenny Bouwman of Mammoth Lakes Nursery,
Partners for Plants Mammoth Lakes, California
Elizabeth Tenney, Master Gardener,
University of Nevada-Reno • Paula Y. Padilla, former Conservation Officer,
Mammoth Community Water District
• California Native Plant Society online at
http://www.cnps.org/ • Kathleen Nelson, Forest Bonist, Inyo National
Forest
• Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center online at
http://www.wildflower.org/
• http://plants.usda.gov/ Xeriscape Gardens
• http://calflora.org/ An even greater reduction in outdoor water
use can be achieved by replacing conventional
landscaping techniques with those used to support
Image Credits a xeriscape garden. Many of the plants listed in
this brochure are considered xeric, based on their
especially low water needs. Questions regarding
• Michael Charters of http://calflora.net/ the seven principles of xeriscaping can be directed
to the Mammoth Communtity Water District
• http://www.highcountrygardens.com/ website, on the Demonstation Garden Photo
Journal page.
• http://www.laspilitas.com
Brochure compiled in 2008 by Sara Pfeifer,
• http://www.wildflower.org/ Conservation Officer,
Mammoth Community Water District
• http://www.bluestem.ca/ spfeifer@mcwd.dst.ca.us
MAMMOTH COMMUNITY WATER DISTRICT
PO Box 597/ Mammoth Lakes, CA 93546
(760) 934-2596
http://www.mcwd.dst.ca.us/