Plant Native and Climate Appropriate

Plants and grasses that are native to Southern California, or are adapted to our semi-arid climate, will flourish with less water. Using climate appropriate vegetation can save money, reduce our demand for imported water and create homes for native fauna.

These sources offer more information about selecting and purchasing climate appropriate plants in California:

• The California Native Plant Society
• The Theodore Payne Foundation
• Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden
• Las Pilitas Nursery
• Tree of Life Nursery
• Matilija Nursery
• Santa Barbara Botanic Garden
• Native Sons
• The Metropolitan Water District
• The Los Angeles and San Gabriel Rivers Watershed Council’s Plant Profiler
• The California Urban Watershed Conservation Council’s garden guide

The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) is sponsoring the Trees for a Green LA program which is open to all LADWP residential electricity customers who have adequate space to plant trees. Participants can receive up to seven free trees for planting per residential property, depending on site-specific limitations.

L.A. City residents are encouraged to tear up the turf on their property ("Cash for Grass") and transform their parkways with 20 low water-use turf substitutes and native groundcovers. Learn more.