Drought Tolerant Plants: 8 Common Misconceptions

1. All California native plants are drought tolerant. Many natives grow well along streams without rainfall or irrigation, but could not survive if placed in the California desert or other similarly dry environment.
   
2. All drought tolerant plants are California natives. Drought tolerant plants can be native or imported from other Mediterranean climate areas including parts of Africa, Europe and Australia, among others.
   
3. Drought tolerant plants never need watering. During the first year the plants are still trying to get established and strengthen their root systems, so they must be watered regularly. After that, most will require only occasional watering.
   
4. Using drought tolerant plants in landscape designs is a trend which has taken hold only recently because of better color and texture selections. Bougainvillea, pyracantha, crape myrtle, rockrose and other types of drought tolerant shrubs and trees have been included in local landscapes for years. All of these are both beautiful and drought tolerant.
   
5. Drought tolerant landscapes consist of sand, rocks and desert cacti. While some people prefer the desert theme, other types of drought tolerant designs are quite lush looking, incorporating day lilies and other water-wise plants into them.
   
6. We will not have the same landscaping options as we have now, if we use drought tolerant plants. Water-wise ground covers, lawn substitutes, hedges, shrubs, shade trees and flowering plants are just some of the drought tolerant plant varieties that are available. Many are even fire and/or deer resistant.
   
7. Drought tolerant plants can be successfully combined with more water-dependent plants. Drought tolerant plants should be grouped together, as over watering them can cause disease and even kill them.
   
8. Selecting drought tolerant plants is a difficult task and should be left to professional landscape designers.

   Selecting water-wise plants is easy! Your North County water purveyors have developed a beautiful, color directory featuring over 150 varieties of groundcovers, perennials, vines, trees, bulbs and annuals that are drought tolerant and suitable for the North County area. Many are heat resistant as well. This helpful guide is available for viewing at the Templeton Community Services District Office, Atascadero Library, Atascadero Mutual Water Company, Orchard Supply Hardware or on-line at www.prcity.com/government, and clicking on the Department of Public Works’ “Conserve Water” icon.

   Need further help? Contact Michelle Costa, TCSD at 434-4914. (Sources: TCSD and Riverside County)

Annual Community & Creek Clean-up

TCSD Environmental Programs Presented

The winter/spring season has been a busy one for TCSD's Environmental Programs division. As part of the North County Partners in Water Conservation group, District personnel staffed a booth recently at the annual Home and Recreation Show held at the Mid-State Fair. Event attendees were able to view the group's new full-color Water Wise Plant Directory, as well as receiving important information on residential water conservation indoors and out.

In March and April, staff also conducted recycling presentations for 130 children. If your community group, scout troop or class would like a visit from our Recycling and Water Conservation Coordinator, contact Michelle Costa at 434-4914.