Mixed Materials

Here's an excellent example of a water-wise pathway that mixes hardscape materials. Grey flagstone pavers are placed in a casually curving direction atop a bed of pebbles. When placing stepping stones or pathways, space them with a child's or adult's natural stride in mind -- whoever will be walking along the path.

This was one of 45 residential gardens that were part of the April 2009 tour conducted by the Theodore Payne Foundation. The gardens are in the Los Angeles area and each contains at least 50% native plants. Plants that are indigenous to a certain region are considered natives, rather than those that have been introduced from different territories and climates, and that require special care to get them to thrive in non-native environments.

Because California is in its third year of drought, water restrictions are being imposed in cities throughout the state. California is not alone in adapting drought-tolerant landscaping. Other areas that have experience with drought include the southwestern states and Georgia, along with arid desert regions, Australia, Israel, Singapore, South Africa, the Netherlands and Australia.