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Water Efficient Plants for the Sierra Foothills, Zone 7 - Nevada County, California
- 1. Resources Publications Placer County Water Agency http://www.pcwa.com Water Wise Gardens of California Drip Irrigation in the Home Landscape UCANR Publication # 21579 Water-Efficient Landscaping: Prevent- Water-wise Landscaping 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 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-WISE LANDSCAPING is a collaborative project of the University of California Water Efficient Cooperative Extension, UCCE Master Gardeners of Placer and Nevada Counties, Placer County Water Agency, and the US Bureau of Reclamation. Plants for the Sierra Compiled and Edited by Kevin Marini , UCCE Program Representative UC Master Gardener Contributors: Foothills Ronnie Ingraham, Nancy Goumas, Sue Zulauf, Christy Haeuptle, Connie Frank, JoAnn Moore, Liz Day, Judy Carroll, and Cooki Vonasek. Layout and Design by Frank Garrels, UCCE Placer County Zone 7 (See page 3) University of California Cooperative Extension Placer and Nevada Counties 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 the US Bureau of Reclamation 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 = Deer Resistant 2. Sun: F = full sun, PS = partial shade Personnel Services Director, University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources, 1111 Franklin, 6th Floor, Oakland, 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 Extension - Placer & Nevada Counties 1
- 2. GROUND COVER -CALIFORNIA NATIVES About This Brochure Botanical Name Common Name Mature Size DR1 Sun2 Remarks WATER-WISE LANDSCAPING is a collaborative project of the University Arctostaphylos F to of California Cooperative Extension, UCCE Master Gardeners of uva-ursi Bearberry Ht to 15 ft. Y PS Many varieties 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 W varies Y F Try ‘Julia Phelps’ appropriate information for creating responsible water efficient landscapes. Included in the brochure are: Plant lists for Zone 7, tips on using water efficiently, and additional resources for other ©J.S. Peterson ©St. Mary’s College of California questions regarding watering wisely. Evening primrose Why should you use Water Efficient Plants ©St. Mary’s College in your landscape and garden? of California Water is a precious resource to be used wisely. In our gardens and Dwarf coyote bush landscapes, water is often applied in excess of what is actually 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 • Trees………………………………………….... 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 • Shrubs……………………………….………… 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
- 3. GROUND COVER Botanical Name Common Name Mature Size DR1 Sun2 Remarks Irrigating the Home Landscape Baccharis pilularis Dwarf Coyote Bush Ht 8-24 in. Y F Low maintenance Some Dos and Don’ts W 6+ ft. ground cover • Check your system regularly and carefully and repair broken Ht 1 ft. F to Spreads by rhizomes; irrigation lines, sprinklers, or drip emitters. Calyophus hartwegii Sierra Sundrop N W 2+ ft. PS yellow flowers Ht 1 ft. • Avoid overspray from sprinklers onto sidewalks, patios, or Shear or mow annually; Ceratostigma F to other areas that don’t need to be irrigated Dwarf Plumbago W spreads N may be invasive; some plumbaginoides PS water in hottest areas rapidly • If you use an automatic irrigation timer, reset it 3 or 4 times Cistus spp. Rockrose Ht varies Y F Pretty foliage and flowers; 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 begins to run off into the gutter or away from the landscape. Ground Morning Glory Y F sabaticus W spreads versatile • Know your plant materials and their water needs: some Ht varies F to Juniperus spp. Juniper W varies Y PS Easy to grow plants need to be irrigated frequently, while others may not need any irrigation water. Ht 1 ft. F to Spreads by Mahonia repens Creeping Mahonia Y • Use separate irrigation valves and programs for turf areas. W 3 ft. PS underground stems Typically, turf requires much more water than woody plants. Evening Primrose; Ht varies F to Oenothera spp. Y Can be invasive • Irrigating shortly before sunrise is best for most plants. Avoid Sundrops W spreads PS Ht 6 in. Spreads quickly; needs irrigating during windy periods. 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 spread; likes some water Cooperative Extension, Half Moon Bay, CA 94019 W 3+ ft. Ht varies F to S. spathulifolium is Sedum spp. Stonecrop Y The following Water-Efficient Plants are only a portion of the many W varies PS California native Ht 8 in. plants that have low water requirements. Teucrium cossonii Germander Y F Stands poor soil The Sunset Western Garden Book is a great resource for more plants W 1-2 ft. Ht varies F to that fit into a water-wise landscape. Verbena spp. Verbena Y Many species Zone 7 - Typical winter lows 23o to 9oF. Record lows 15o to –1oF. W varies PS 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
- 4. PERENNIALS - CALIFORNIANATIVES SHRUBS - CALIFORNIA NATIVES Botanical Name Common Name Mature Size DR1 Sun2 Remarks Botanical Name Common Name Mature Size DR1 Sun2 Remarks Eschscholzia Grown as summer Adenostoma Ht 5-12 ft. Very low water; highly California Poppy Ht 8-24 in. Y F 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 Low growing; can Mimulus aurantiacus Y Ht 3 ft. Flower W same PS perennial Baccharis pilularis Coyote Bush Y F withstand wind, heat and W 4-5 ft. poor soil Late spring and 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 Common Toyon Y arbutifolia W 12-25 ft. PS November to January ©St. Mary’s College Yarrow ©St. Mary’s College of California Ht 3 ft. F to of California Mahonia repens Creeping Mahonia Y Good for winter color W 3 ft. PS ©George F. Russell Ht 10-25 ft. F to Red or blue edible fruit California Prunus ilicifolia Hollyleaf Cherry N W 10-25 ft. PS in June is messy Poppy Ht 3-15 ft. F to Berries, if not eaten by Rhamnus californica Coffeeberry Y birds, ripen green to red W 8 ft. PS PERENNIALS Ribes viburnifolium Evergreen Currant Ht 3-6 ft. Y PS Fragrant evergreen W 12 ft. shrub 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
- 5. PERENNIALS ©J.S. Peterson Creeping ©St. Mary’s College of California mahonia Botanical Name Common Name Mature Size DR1 Sun2 Remarks Ht to 4 ft. F or May need afternoon silktassel Agapanthus spp. Lily of the Nile Y W 3 ft. PS shade in hottest areas Ht 2½ ft. F or Fragrant leaves, Agastache rupestris Licorice Mint N W 1½ ft. PS orange flower spikes SHRUBS Wormwood, Angel’s Ht 2-3 ft. Many species; silvery Artemisia spp. Y F Hair, etc. W varies foliage; fragrant Botanical Name Common Name Mature Size DR1 Sun2 Remarks Ht 1 ft. Soft, gray foliage; 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 Needs good drainage; Ht Varies *PS in hottest areas Rhus spp. Sumac Y F fall color (deciduous) or Ht varies 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 ©J.S. Peterson Bush W 3 ft. aromatic ©St. Mary’s College of California ©St. Mary’s College of California Anemone Ht varies Succulent, many Sedum spp. Stone crop Y Varies W varies shapes & sizes ©St. Mary’s College Hollyleaf cherry Ht varies Tough plants that can of California Teucrium spp. Germander Y F W varies stand poor soils 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
- 6. TREES Botanical Name Common Name Mature Size DR1 Sun2 Remarks ©J.S. Peterson ©J.S. Peterson Ht 8-35 ft. F or Good in a wide range Arbutus unedo Strawberry Tree Y W same PS of climates/soils Ht. 20-25 ft. F or Deciduous, nice fall acacia Acer buergeranum Trident Maple N W same PS color Ht 50 ft., F or Resistant to oak root Celtis occidentalis Common Hackberry 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 Cupressus arizonica Arizona Cypress Ht. 40 ft. W 20 ft. Y F Mass for windbreak or 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 Laurus nobilis Sweet Bay Y Evergreen or W same PS for cooking Ht varies F to deciduous; some Berberis spp. Barberry Y varieties more drought Diverse heights/ W varies PS Many choices for low tolerant than others Pinus spp. Various Pine species widths with Y F pruning water May die to ground in Ht 4-10 ft. F to 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 Attractive to Ht 6-8 ft. 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. flower clusters W same flowers; shrub or tree 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 Leaf 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
- 7. 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 sun, More tolerant of Ht 10-20 ft. 6-10 ft fast 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 Q. doudlasii Woodbine 10-20 ft. N periclymenum PS region; fragrant flowers Umbellularia Ht 25+ ft. Mass for windbreak or 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
- 8. 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 Many uses in the Ht 2-3 ft. Origanum spp. Oregano; Marjoram N F kitchen; may need Ht 2 ft. Tough, heat and W 2-3 ft. some afternoon shade Bouteloua spp. Bouteloua Y F W 2 ft. drought tolerant Ht varies Not all are low water Rattlesnake Grass; Salvia spp. Sage N F Briza media Ht 1-2 in. Y F Clusters of nodding W varies plants or used as herbs 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 Choose hardiest types; Ht varies 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 annual type for edible W to 6 ft. PS turns bronze in fall W 2 ft. leaf bases Dark green mounded Muhlenbergia Ht 3 ft. F to Pink Muhly N form with feathery capillaris W 6 ft. PS reddish flowers Dense clumps of foliage Ht 4 ft. F to 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 in their new homes. The terms “drought tolerant,” Stipa gigantea Giant Feather Grass Y F 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