Common name:Tasmanian Flax Lily
Botanical name:Dianella tasmanica

A grass-like plant with rather broad folaige to 30" tall , the Dianella tasmanica exhibits spikes of light blue flowers and dark, metallic blue berries in summer and fall. The plant should receive sun to part shade, with little or no summer watering when established. This is an excellent choice for very dry shade gardens. Its leaves can be used as an accompaniment for cut flowers.

Common name:Lily of the Nile
Botanical name:Agapanthus hybrids

This evergreen ground cover/shrub will grow about 3' tall and has large green leaves with blue flowers (there is a white variety and dwarf varieties) that bloom in spring and summer. It will grow in all soils but prefers loam soil.

Common name:Hybrid Tea Rose (selections)
Botanical name:Rosa Hybrid Tea varieties

These shrubs and vines are the most loved in the Western USA and are very resilient. They come in a wide variety of sizes and colors and are easy to maintain with proper care. They can be used in a water-conserving garden with careful attention to irrigation practices.

Common name:Big Blue Lily Turf
Botanical name:Liriope muscari

Grass-like clumps of dark green leaves 1" wide up to 18" long are found on the Liriope muscari. It can reach a height of 12"-15", and dark blue flowers spikes can be seen held above the leaves during the summer. This is an excellent border, accent or ground cover plant that requires part shade exposure.

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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