CAFriendly

‍Plant California Native. Be California Friendly®.

What are California Friendly Plants?

Design a yard with long-term water savings when you add California Friendly® and native plants. These non-invasive, easy to maintain plants use 75% less water than traditional turf lawns. The plants create an ideal environment to attract pollinators, beautify your space, and add biodiversity. 

Benefits of California Native Plants 

Plant with a purpose when you select California native plants and gain these value-added perks:

  • Water Savings: Outdoor water is the highest portion of the average household water bill. California native plants are sustainable and require little water to flourish. Add a berm or create a round shape with mulch around plants to capture rainwater and rehydrate the soil.
  • Beautify & Increase Curb Appeal: Build an environment with colorful plants that elevate your landscape with less maintenance year-round.
  • Boost the Ecosystem: Native plants provide a healthy habitat for bees and birds to pollinate, and a beautiful space for people to reconnect with nature.

Watch the video below to explore more about plants that flourish in the warm California climate. Explore the full list of native plants that work best for your region on BeWaterWise.com. 

Ready, Set, Grow!

In Southern California, plant growth peaks during March, April, and May. Revive your landscape by clearing out debris from old plants, or areas that may have been impacted by dramatic weather.

Plant with a Purpose

Start building your sustainable garden and look for some of the plants below at your local nursery to start your joruney to build a garden with California native plants. Add color to your landscape when you create a sustainable landscape with drought-tolerant plants, shrubs and trees. Keep plants growing all year long with a diverse collection of California native plants that attract pollinators like birds, bees, and butterflies. Enhance your landscape with these drought-tolerant plants that maximize water efficiency and find the plant that best fits your yard on the Be Water Wise website.

Vibrant pink flowers in the foreground, with a cloudy sky and distant mountains in the background.
Bougainvillea

Below is a summary of plants that will thrive in North San Diego County's mediterranean climate:

Medium Plants: Baja Fairy Duster, Bush Germander, California Lilac, Cleveland Sage, Lion's Tail, Mexican Bush Sage, Rosemary, and White Sage.

Large Plants: Arabian Lilac, Conebush, Grevillea, Manzanita, and Toyon.

Fresh rosemary plant in a garden with sunlight highlighting its leaves.
Rosemary
A lush green succulent with rosette patterned leaves.
Aeonium

Vines: Lilac Vine, Roger's Red Grapes, and  Bougainvillea.

Ground Cover: Creeping Rosemary, Kurapia, Silver Carpet, Seaside Daisy, South African Daisy, Trailing Latana, and Yarrow.

Succulents: Aloe, Aeonium, Hens-and-Chicks, Live Forever, Red Yucca, and Rose Purslane

Don't Forget the Mulch

Installing mulch around plants, trees, and flowers can save hundreds of gallons annually by reducing evaporation and decreasing weed growth. The best application for trees is to place mulch in a donut shape several inches away from the trunk to avoid excess watering. Look for mulch that doubles as a fertilizer and without large chunks of bark to allow better absorption from plants and fire proof your yard.

  • Inorganic mulches such as decomposed granite, gravel and rock work best for areas within zero to five feet of the residence. 
  • Use a variety of mulch types such as small compostable mulch sized at no more than 1.5" wide and maintain a cover of 3 to 4 inches thick.
  • Avoid combustible mulch such as shredded redwood or cedar bark. 

Explore more about firescaping your landscape with defensible space on Cal Fire's website.

 

Contact 811 Before You Dig

Planning to install a fence or dig a hole for a large tree? Prevent serious injury, property damage, or loss of utility service by scheduling a visit from 811 Dig Alert.

  • Mark out the excavation area with spray paint or use string and sticks.
  • Schedule an appointment at California811.org or call 811 at least two days prior to the start of your dig project.
  • Wait to dig until your ticket is approved. 
  • Locate your ticket and verify approval by checking the utility responses through the online portal at DigAlert.org

Help Pollinators in Your Garden

Did you know bats, bees, butterflies, and beetles are all pollinators? Support the ecosystem and help pollinators when you plant native plants. Explore the many varieties of native plants, pollinators and more available in San Diego County by visiting the websites below:

New! California Native Plant Rebate

The Waterscape Rebate Program now offers an additional $1 per square foot on top of existing $3 per square foot turf replacement rebates when you choose California native plants. Native plants help save water, support pollinators (bats, bees & butterflies), and enhance the beauty and functionality of your outdoor space while reducing maintenance needs.

Stack Landscape Rebates

$4/Sq Ft Residential Turf Rebate: Transform your lawn with turf removal, irrigation upgrades, and rainwater retention.

Start planning your new yard! Contact the County of San Diego for program information.

Email: info@waterscaperebates.com 

 

Landscape Workshops & Training

Get inspired to revamp your landscape with free virtual workshops from Metropolitan Water
District and Green Media Creations.
Workshop Topics:

  • California Friendly & Native Plant
  • Landscape Training 
  • Design Your Sustainable Garden
  • Drip Irrigation Maintenance
  • Irrigation & Controller Basics  
  • Transforming Lawns: A Sustainable Approach

Explore workshops and reserve your spot: rainbowmwd.ca.gov/landscape-workshops

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