How to Have a Beautiful Low Water Landscape

Orange County Drought Tolerant Landscaping

Trying to save water during the California Drought? Here’s one family’s story of how they drought proofed their landscape.  It started with calling a licensed landscape contractor. TRU Landscape Services understands the particulars of Orange County drought tolerant landscaping.  As an Orange County landscaper for over 25 years, we’ve seen the effects of the drought and know what plants will survive well.  Keep reading for more ideas!

Drought Tolerant Landscape Orange County

Save Water Using a Mulch landscape and Drought Tolerant Plants

Landscaping in Orange County California is different than landscaping in other less dry states.  Our landscaping company is constantly aware of potential loss from sprinkler systems.  Drainage and landscape grades also contribute to water loss.  In rainier states, you don’t need to be as cautious of every drop of water.

Don’t worry!  There are so many ways to reduce water loss and create a drought tolerant landscape, even in Orange County.  Our story begins in a small front yard with dry grass and an ugly wall.

Orange County Drought Tolerant Landscaping Before

The dry front yard before drought tolerant landscaping installation

 

Drought Tolerant Landscaping

One of the major ways to drought proof your landscape is by removing your lawn.    If you’re lawn is dry and patchy, there are two solutions.  The first, is to receive a sprinkler system tune up with a water smart ET Satellite Timer!  We use trusted Rain Bird sprinkler timers.  The other option is to remove your grass and opt for a xeriscape like this family did.

Many water districts in Orange County will actually give a drought tolerant landscape rebate for grass removal!  The water savings will be very noticeable. Instead of a sprinkler head spraying a wide area of grass, drip irrigation can apply just the right amount of water to each individual plant.  Mulch or wood chips retain water and keep the soil around the plants from drying out.

Drought Resistant Plant Installation

Spanish Lavender is a drought resistant plant

Orange County Landscape

There’s something special about an Orange County Landscape.  It’s different than a New England Landscape, or even a San Francisco Landscape.  Here in the OC we have a climate that’s warm year round, with palm trees and bright flowers.  Near the beaches unique plants grow naturally.  We also have the unique desert landscape around us.

Installing a drought tolerant landscape allows your yard to work in harmony with the climate of our region.  Grass does not grow naturally in most areas of the OC, but other beautiful plant varieties do.  There are many options for zone 9 landscaping.

Low Water Sideyard Orange County

Xeriscaping in Orange County

What is a “xeriscape”?  Xeriscaping is landscaping that reduces or eliminates additional water consumption from irrigation.  Even native plants need a little water, so we always install drip irrigation into our low water landscapes.  Still, xeriscaping can be achieved as long as water use from irrigation is reduced.

Drought Tolerant Plants

Over the years, TRU Landscape Services has had success with many varieties of hardy, drought resistant plants.  We are able to recommend just the right plants for your existing style of landscape.  If you have a tropical style landscape, there are low water plants that will still look great in your yard.  Flowers and plants of many different colors can grow happily even during the drought.

Water Saving Landscape

Beyond grass removal and drought tolerant plant installation, there are other ways to save water.  Your lawn may be too big!  Your plants may be too abundant!  There are ways to maintain the beauty of your softscape and reduce its size.  This family decided to install a paver walkway to fill out their side yard.  The interlocking pavers are beautiful and reduce the size of the lawn and planter beds.  Pavers are a perfect footpath.  This area is given an old world, Mediterranean feel.

Before Interlocking Pavers steps

Before the interlocking pavers steps were installed

Before the pavers installation

Before the pavers installation

Other hardscape installations can also help to reduce water use.  Extending your driveway to fit other vehicles or RVs is one option.  It can reduce your lawn size and still look great!  Tiered planter beds break up your landscape visually and allow for more focused areas of planting.  A fire pit or other fire feature can become a focal point in your backyard without taking up anymore water.

Custom Pavers Steps Orange County

Custom pavers steps!

Side Yard Sandstone Pavers Walkway

Pavers replace yellow grass

 Synthetic Turf Installation

Do you love the color green?  Are you unwilling to give up any more of your lawn?  Do you need a safe, clean place for your children and animals to play?  Then Synthetic turf installation may be the low water solution for you!

This family didn’t install any synthetic turf, but it’s a great option for drought tolerant landscaping.  You’ll be surprised how natural American Made synthetic turf looks and feels in your back yard.  Our expert synthetic turf installation comes with an 8 year warranty.  For the person who wants a green lawn without the water usage, a modern synthetic grass installation just makes sense.

TRU Landscape Services – Orange County Landscape Contractor

There are many ways to have a beautiful low water yard.  If you’re considering Orange County Drought Tolerant Landscaping, call our office for more information at 1-866-487-1359

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