2026 Contest Winner

Homeowner	Terri and Mark L.
Location	El Cajon
Yard	Front

Project

Helix Water District has named Mark and Terri L. as its 2026 WaterSmart Landscape Contest winners for transforming their yard with pops of yellow and purple. Coast Live Oak, Southern Live Oak and an olive tree will provide shade and habitat when mature. “We love the look and water efficiency of the yard and are enjoying all the birds, butterflies, lizards and other animals that visit,” they wrote on their application.

Inspired by the limestone fireplace in their living room, the couple carried its color and patterns outside, replacing their driveway and pouring a custom block-style sidewalk in spring 2025. They recontoured the yard, removing old grass and roots, and added a river of rock to cover drain pipes. Terri and Mark handled all the planting and design themselves. They drew inspiration from the Water Conservation Garden, Cuyamaca Community College’s Horticulture Department, and Helix Water District’s own low-water landscaping.

Planted in fall 2025, the landscape is irrigated with drip tubing on a smart controller and covered with gorilla fur mulch. “Once the weather warmed up and the spring rains arrived, everything took off,” said Mark.

Plants Used

Coast Live Oak, Southern Live Oak, ceanothus (California lilac), manzanita, Cleveland sage, olive, lavender, mat rush, grama grass, yarrow, trailing rosemary, lantana, spurge, purple fountain grass, red conebush, agapanthus, kangaroo paw, elephant’s food, stonecrop, jade, kalanchoe, foxtail agave