2025 Contest Winner

Homeowner	Ramona C
Location	Encinitas
Yard	Front

Project

“To reduce our water use, my husband and I wanted to transform our yard of trees and grass into a low-water-use garden.”

Ramona’s landscape design includes a dry creek bed, drip irrigation on a smart controller, blue fescue grass, and a variety of colorful plants like orange kangaroo paw, purple salvia, and red autumn sage. The garden features several plants that are both drought-tolerant and fire-resistant, such as California lilac, white rockrose, and Cleveland sage.

Her landscape offers a good example of an appealing design, climate-appropriate plant selection, and water-efficient irrigation.

“We receive many compliments, and I enjoy taking in the view as I sit in the front yard. I am proud to say that my water bill has not changed since we installed the garden. The bill is the same as it was when the yard contained only dirt, while we planned the project and found a landscaper for the design I had in mind.”

Plants Used

Kangaroo paw

California lilac

Cleveland sage

White rockrose

Red autumn sage

New Zealand inpatients

Purple salvia

Grey fescue grass and mat rushes

White rosemary

Several varieties of agave

Variegated flax, flax lilies, and New Zealand flax