Due to its high elevation and variable mountainous climate,

the Mammoth Lakes area poses a challenging environment for plants. The following list provides information about hardy, water efficient plants and flowers that when arranged effectively and maintained properly, create an aesthetically pleasing, colorful yard. Many of the plants listed in this guide are native to the area, while some are exotic.

It is important to remember that when newly planted, all plants require a good amount of water. However, these plants thrive on a twice-a-week or less watering schedule once established. After planting, deep soaking less frequently at longer intervals encourages root development deep in the soil where there is still moisture, even after the top few inches have dried out. Using a two to six inch layer of mulch will help retain moisture and soil temperature, while helping to conserve water.

Make sure to take into consideration your irrigation system when planning your landscape, as different plants will have different watering needs. There are plenty of gardening guides and websites that can provide more details on the plants with which you choose to landscape. Local nurseries can also provide more information and answer questions about landscaping in the area.

Drought Tolerant Plant Guide Drought Tolerant Plant Guide Drought Tolerant Plant Guide Drought Tolerant Plant Guide for Mammoth Lakes, Californiafor Mammoth Lakes, Californiafor Mammoth Lakes, Californiafor Mammoth Lakes, California

California Native California Native California Native California Native Perennial FlowersPerennial FlowersPerennial FlowersPerennial Flowers

Achillea millefolium Yarrow Prefers full sun, little water, is deer resistant. Flowers are white or yellow, blooming spring through fall. Grows one to four feet.

Anemone California Drummonds Anemone Prefers full sun, little water and is deer resistant. White, lavender and blue flower bloom in early summer. Grows to one foot.

Antennaria dioica Pussy Toes, numerous Prefer full sun and very little water. Flowers are white and pink and bloom in spring. Grow to six inches.

Aquilegia Columbine, Western Red and others Prefer sun to partial shade, little water, and is deer resistant. Flowers can be many colors, blooming from spring to early summer. Grow to three feet.

Argemone munita Prickly Poppy Prefers full sun, very little water, and is deer resistant. White flowers bloom in spring through summer. Grows to five feet.

Armeria Thrift, Sea Pink Prefers full sun, little water and is deer resistant. Pink flowers bloom in spring through summer. Grows to one foot.

Asclepias speciosa, A. fascicularis Showy and Narrowleaf Milkweed Prefer full sun and little water. Flowers can be orange, pink, and violet, blooming in all summer. Grow to four feet.

Asclepias tuberose Butterfly Weed Prefers full sun, very little water and is deer resistant. Orange flowers will bloom summer through early fall. Grows to two feet.

Astragalus Milkvetch, numerous Prefer full sun and litlle water. Flowers are white, pink and purple with pods, blooming in late spring through summer. Grow to one foot. This plant can be poisonous.

Baileya multiradata Desert Marigold Prefers full sun and very little water. Yellow flowers bloom in spring through early summer. Grows to two feet.

Baptista australis Wild Indigo or Blue False Indigo Prefers full sun and little water. Flowers are blue and violet, blooming in spring through early summer. Grows to five feet.

Calochortus bruneaunis, C. leichtlinaii Mariposa Lily Prefers sun to partial shade and very little water. Flowers are white, sometimes yellow or purple, blooming in summer. Grows to one foot.

Castilleja, miniata linariifolia Indian or Desert Paintbrush, numerous Prefer full sun and very little water. Flowers can be yellow, orange-red and bright pink, blooming spring through fall. Grow from one t o three feet. This plant is semi parasitic.

Clematis texensis, C. lasiantha Scarlet Clematis Prefers sun and partial shade and little water. Pink and red flowers bloom in early summer. This vine can reach nine feet.

Coreopsis Coreopsis, numerous Prefer full sun, little water and is deer resistant. Silver foliage with yellow flowers, blooming in summer. Grow to four feet.

Delphinium gracilentum Meadow Larkspur Prefers full sun, little water and is deer resistant. Blue flowers bloom in mid summer. Grows to seven feet.

Low maintenance landscaping is only one benefit of incorporating native plants that are already adapted to the local environment.

Dicentra formosa Western Bleeding Heart Prefers shade, little water, and is deer resistant. Pink and purple flower bloom in spring and early summer. Grows to three feet.

Diplacus longiflorus, D. aurantiacus (Mimulus) Southern Bush and Sierra Monkeyflower Prefers partial shade, little water and is deer resistant. Flowers can be white, yellow or orange and bloom in spring through summer. Grows to three feet.

Dodecatheon Jeffery’s Shooting Star Prefers full sun, little water. Red, pink or purple flowers bloom in summer. Grows to two feet.

Echinacea Purple Coneflower Prefers sun to partial shade, little water and is deer resistant. Flowers can be purple to red, blooming from summer through fall. Grows to three feet.

Epilobium angustifolium Fireweed Prefers full sun and little water. Pink and purple flowers bloom from mid to late summer. Grows to eight feet.

Erigeron eatonaii Eaton's Daisy Prefers sun to partial shade and little water. White flowers bloom in the summer. Grows to one foot.

Eriogonum Wild Buckwheat, Numerous Prefers full sun, little water and is deer resistant. Flowers can be white or pink, blooming in spring through fall. Grows from one to three feet.

Eriogonum umbrellatum Sulfur Flower Buckwheat Prefers sun to partial shade and very little water. White or yellow flowers bloom in summer. Grows from one to three feet.

Eriophyllum confertiflorum Golden Yarrow Prefers sun to partial shade, and very little water. Yellow flowers bloom in spring. Grows to three feet.

Eriophyllum lanatum Wooly Sunflower Prefers full sun and little water. Yellow flowers bloom in the summer. Grows to eighteen inches.

Eschscholzia californica California Poppy Prefers full sun, very little water and is deer resistant. Yellow-orange flowers bloom from spring through summer. Grows to one foot. This is the state flower of California.

Gaillardia aristata Blanketflower Prefers full sun, little water and is deer resistant. Flowers are multi colored: yellow orange and red, blooming from spring through fall. Grows to two feet.

Gilia, Ipomosis aggregata Star, Skyrocket, and Scarlet Gilia Prefers full sun and little water. Flowers are red or pink, blooming from summer to fall. Grows to six feet.

Heuchera sanguinea Coral Bells or Alumroot Prefers partial shade, little water and is deer resistant. Red and pink flowers bloom from summer to fall. Grows to three feet.

Hymenoxys acaulis Daisy, Sundancer Prefers full sun, little water and is deer resistant. Yellow flowers bloom from spring to fall. Grows to three feet.

Iris douglasiana, I. gemanica, I. versicolor Douglas Western, Bearded and Western Blue Flag Iris Prefers sun and partial shade, and little water. Blue or purple flowers bloom in late spring. Grows from one to three feet.

One good rule of thumb when watering is to wait until soil is slightly dry to the touch… By doing this, you will mimic the amount of water

that the plant would receive in its natural environment.

California Native California Native California Native California Native Perennial FlowersPerennial FlowersPerennial FlowersPerennial Flowers

California Native Perennial FlowersCalifornia Native Perennial FlowersCalifornia Native Perennial FlowersCalifornia Native Perennial Flowers

Liatris Gayfeather Prefers sun, partial shade and shade with little water. Purple and fuchsia flowers bloom from mid summer to early fall. Grows to four feet. Linum perenne lewisii Blue Flax Prefers sun and partial shade, very little water and is deer resistant. Violet flowers bloom from late spring through summer. Grows to three feet. Lupinus argentius, L. albifrons Silver Bush Lupine and others Prefers sun, partial shade and shade, very little water and is deer resistant. Flowers can be yellow, purple and blue, bloom-ing from spring to mid summer. Grows to five feet. Monarda Bee Balm or Horsemint Prefers sun to partial shade, little water, and is deer resistant. Flowers can be red, white, pink or purple, blooming in mid summer. Grows to three feet. Monardella odoratissima Mountain Pennyroyal or Coyotemint Prefers full sun and little water. Lavender flowers bloom in mid summer. Grows to one foot. Oenothera Evening Primrose Prefers full sun and very little water. Yellow flowers bloom in summer. Grows to six feet. Oenothera belandieri, O. caespitosa Mexican and White Evening Primrose Prefer full sun and little water. Flowers are white, sometimes pink , blooming in summer. Grow one to two feet. Mexican Evening Primrose is considered invasive. Paeonia Herbaceous Peony Prefers sun to partial shade, little water and is deer resistant. Flowers can be white, pink, deep red and lavender, blooming in spring. Grows to four feet. Penstemon Beard Tounge, numerous Prefer sun to partial shade and little water. Flowers can be vari-ous colors, blooming in early summer. Grow to four feet.

Polemonium californicum California Jacob's Ladder Prefers partial shade, very little water and is deer resistant. Blue flowers bloom in early summer. Grows to one foot. Salvia Sage, numerous Prefer full sun, very little water and is deer resistant. Blue, purple or pink flowers bloom in spring and summer. Grow to three feet. Sedum obtusatum Stonecrop, Sierra Prefers sun, partial shade or shade, and very little water. Flow-ers can be yellow or pink, blooming in spring through summer. Grows to one foot. Sisyrinchium bellum Blue Eyed Grass Prefers fun sun and little water. Blue, purple, or white flowers bloom from spring through late summer. Grows to one foot. Sphaeralcea angustifolia, S. ambigua Apricot Globe Mallow Prefers full sun and very little water. Flower s are orange or pink, blooming from spring to fall. Grows to six feet. Sphenosciatum capitellatum Rangers Buttons Prefers full sun and little water. White flowers bloom in the sum-mer. Grows to four feet. Thaliactrum Meadow Rue Prefers sun to partial shade and little water. Lavender and pink flowers bloom in spring. Grows from three to four feet. Wyethia mollis Wooly Mule’s Ears Prefers full sun and little water. Flowers are yellow and bloom in spring. Grows from one to two feet. Zauschneria, epilobium California Fuchsia or Hummingbird's Trumpet Prefers sun, little water and is deer resistant. Red or pink flowers bloom in early fall. Can grow one to five feet.

Extremely drought tolerant plants will need water about once every two weeks.

NonNonNonNon————Native Perennial FlowersNative Perennial FlowersNative Perennial FlowersNative Perennial Flowers

Allium senescens Corkscrew Ornamental Onion Prefers sun to partial shade, little water and is deer resistant. Violet colored flowers bloom in summer. Grows to one foot.

Anagallis Pimpernel Prefers full sun and little water. Orange, red or blue flowers bloom from late spring through fall. Grows to eighteen inches.

Artemesia stelleriana Dusty Miller Prefers sun to partial shade and very little water. Silver foliage with yellow flowers, blooming from spring to fall. Grows six inches to one foot. This plant can be poisonous.

Aurina Allysum Prefers sun to partial shade, little water and is deer resistant. Pink or white flowers bloom spring to fall. Grows to ten inches.

Callirhoe ivolucrata Winecups Prefers sun to partial shade and little water. Magenta flowers bloom from spring to fall. Grows to one foot.

Campanula alpina Alpine Bellflower Prefers shade and little water. Blue-violet flowers bloom in mid summer. Grows to six inches.

Catananche caerulea Cupid's Dart Prefers full sun and little water. Violet flowers bloom from mid summer through fall. Grows to three feet.

Centranthus ruber Red Valerian Prefers sun to partial shade and very little water. Flowers can be red or fuchsia, blooming in summer. Grows to three feet.

Chamomelum nobile Chamomile Prefers full sun and little water. White flowers bloom from sum-mer to fall. Grows to two feet.

Chrysantemum maximum Shasta Daisy Prefers full sun and little water. White flowers bloom from summer to fall. Grows to three feet.

Dianthus Pinks Prefers sun to partial shade and little water. White, pink and red flowers bloom from spring to fall. Grows from six to eighteen inches.

Dianthus barbatus Sweet William Prefers partial shade, little water and is deer resistant. Flowers can be white, pink or red, blooming in mid summer. Grows to eighteen inches.

Digitalis Foxglove, some Prefers shade, little water and is deer resistant. Flowers can be yellow, white, pink, purple or lavender, blooming in early summer. Grows from three to six feet. This plant is considered poisonous.

Erysimum hieraciifolium, E. alpinum Siberian Wallflower Prefers sun to partial shade and little water. Orange flowers bloom in spring to early summer. Grows to two feet.

Euphorbia palmeri Woodland Spurge Prefers full sun and little water. Flowers are green with yellow or pink detail, blooming in early summer. Grows to eighteen inches. This plant is considered poisonous.

Gaura lindheimeri Appleblossom Grass Prefers full sun and very little water. Pink and white flowers bloom from spring to fall . Grows to three feet.

Helleborus foetidus Bearpaw Helleborus Prefers shade and very little water. Flowers can be yellow– green or blue with red detail, blooming in spring. Grows to two feet. This plant is considered poisonous.

Hemerocallis Daylily Prefers sun to partial shade and little water. Flowers appear in all colors but blue, blooming in summer. Grows to four feet.

Mildly drought tolerant plants will require watering no more than twice weekly.

NonNonNonNon————Native Perennial FlowersNative Perennial FlowersNative Perennial FlowersNative Perennial Flowers

Papaver orientale Oriental Poppy Prefers full sun, little water and is deer resistant. Flowers are typically deep orange though they can sometimes be white or pink, blooming in spring. Grows to three feet. Ratibida columnifera Prairie Coneflower Prefers full sun and little water. Yellow, orange and deep red flowers bloom in summer. Grows to three feet. Santolina chamaecyparissus Lavender Cotton Prefers sun, very little water and is deer resistant. Silver foliage with yellow flowers, blooming in spring. Grows to eighteen inches. Pollen allergies associated with this plant. Scabiosa Pincushion Flower Prefers full sun, little water and is deer resistant. White, pink, violet or blue flowers bloom spring to fall. Grows to three feet. Sedum spectabile Autumn Joy Sedum or Stonecrop Prefers full sun and very little water. Flowers can be red, pink or cream colored, blooming from spring through late summer. Grows to eighteen inches. Stachys byzantia Lambsear Prefers sun to partial shade, little water and is deer resistant. The foliage on this plant is grey. It will grow one to three feet. Tropaeolum Garden Nasturtium Prefers sun to partial shade and little water. Flowers can be many shades of yellow and orange on one plant, blooming in the summer. Grows to eighteen inches. Though not a perennial, this plant reseeds annually. Veronica Speedwell Prefers full sun and little water. Blue and purple flowers bloom in spring. Grows to one foot. Choose hardier groundcovers like V. oltensis or V. pectinata.

Hunnemannia fumariifolia Mexican Tulip Poppy or Goldencup Prefers full sun and very little water. Yellow flowers bloom in Mid summer to fall. Grows from two to three feet. Hymenoxys scaposa Perky Sue or Four Nerve Daisy Prefers full sun, very little water and is deer resistant. Yellow flowers bloom from late spring to fall. Grows to three feet. Hyssop officinalis Hyssop Prefers sun and partial shade, little to very little water, and is deer resistant. Flowers are pink and blue, blooming from late spring to fall. Grows to three feet. Kniphofia uvaria Red Hot Poker Prefers full sun, little water and is deer resistant . Red-orange flowers appear from mid summer through fall. Grows three to five feet. Lavendula angustifolia Lavender Prefers sun, little water and is deer resistant. Purple and blue flowers bloom from late spring to summer. Grows to two feet. Limonium Sea Lavendar or Statice Prefers full sun, very little water, and is deer resistant. Purple flowers bloom from spring to summer. Grows to three feet. Nepeta Catmint Prefers sun, very little water and is deer resistant. Blue-violet flowers bloom in late spring. Grows to five feet. Papaver alpinum, P. nudicaule Alpine and Iceland Poppy Prefer full sun, little water and are deer resistant. Both have multi- colored flowers. White, orange, yellow and pink flowers, bloom from early to mid summer. P. alpinium grows to one foot, while P. nudicaule grows to two feet.

Keep in mind that even though much of the hardiness of plants with very low water needs is diminished by excessive watering, supplemental water is typically needed for any newly planted vegetation.

Acer ginnala Amur Maple Prefers sun to partial shade and very little water. Turns a fiery orange in fall. Grows from fifteen to twenty feet. Amelanchier alnifolia, A. canadensis Shadbrush or Western Serviceberry Prefer full sun and little water. Green foliage with white flowers, blooming in late spring. Grow to ten feet and is native to California. Berries on this shrub are edible. Arctostphlos uva ursi Manzanita, Kinnikinnick, and Bearberry 'Point Reyes' Prefer full sun, little water and is deer resistant. White-pink flowers bloom in late spring. Grow to ten feet. Native to California. Artemesia absinthium, A. cana, A. schmidliana Wormwood, Southernwood, California and Silver Sagebrush Prefer sun to partial shade, little to very little water and are deer resistant. Green to blue-grey foliage with yellow-pink flowers, blooming from summer to fall. Grow to four feet and are native to California. ‘Palace Castle’ is an especially hardy hybrid. Buddleia davidii Butterfly Bush Prefers sun to partial shade, little water and is deer resistant. Purple flowers bloom from spring to summer. Grows to ten feet. Caragana arborescens Siberian Peashrub Prefers full sun, little water and is deer resistant. Yellow flowers bloom from spring to early summer. Grows six to ten feet. Caryopteris clandonensis Blue Mist Bluebeard Prefers sun to partial shade, little water and is deer resistant. Blue-purple flowers bloom in summer. Grows to five feet. Ceanothus Wild Lilac Prefers sun to partial shade and very little water. Flowers are purple or white, blooming in late spring. Grows to eight feet and is native to California.

Shrubs Shrubs Shrubs Shrubs

Cercocarpus ledifolius, C. montanus Mountain Mahogany Prefers sun and very little water. This plant has silver to deep green foliage, grows six to twelve feet and is native to California. Chamaebatiaria millifolium Fernbush Prefers full sun, little water and is deer resistant. White flowers bloom in summer. Grows six to eight feet. Native to California. Cotoneaster divaricatus, C. multiflorus Cotoneaster Prefer full sun, very little water and are deer resistant. Bears red berries and inconspicuous white or pink flowers, blooming in spring. Grows four to fifteen feet. Fallugia paradoxa Apache Plume Prefers full sun and very little water. White flowers with pink and purple plumes bloom in late spring. Grows six feet and is native to California. Forestiera neomexicana Desert Olive Prefers full sun, little water and is deer resistant. Grows to eight feet and is native to California. Forsythia Golden Bells Prefers full sun, little water and is deer resistant. Yellow flowers bloom in spring. This wide plant grows to ten feet. Hardy hybrids grow best in our climate. Holodiscus discolor, H. dumosus Mountain Spray, Rock Spirea Cream Bush Prefer partial shade, very little water and deer resistant. Cream colored flowers bloom early to mid summer. Grow to seven feet and are native to California. Ipomea leptophylla Bush Morning Glory Prefers full sun and very little water. White, pink, purple and blue flowers bloom from late spring to summer. Grows to five feet.

Arrange your plants according to their individual moisture and sunlight needs…

Juniperus Juniper, most, not conferta Prefer sun to partial shade, very little water and are deer resistant. Foliage is green-grey. Grows to fifteen feet. Choose species native to California. Kolkwitzia amabilis Beauty Bush Prefers sun to partial shade, little water and is deer resistant. Pink and red flowers bloom from late spring to early summer. Grows to ten feet. Mahonia aquifolium, M. repens Oregon Grape , Creeping Barberry Prefer partial shade, very little water and are deer resistant. Yellow flowers bloom from late spring to early summer. Grow to three feet and are native to California. Pervoskia atriplicifolia Russian Sage Prefer full sun, very little water and are deer resistant. Foliage is silver with blue-violet flowers, blooming from spring to fall. Grows to four feet. Philadelphus lewisii, P. microphyllus Wild Mock Orange and other natives Prefers sun to partial shade, little to very little and is deer resistant. White flowers bloom in early summer. Grows to six feet. Native to California. Physocarpus opulifolius, P. monogynus Common and Mountain Ninebark Prefer sun, partial shade and shade and little water. Flowers can be white, pink, orange or red and bloom in early summer. Grows to five feet tall and from six to ten feet wide. Native to California. Pinus mugo mughus Mugho Pine Prefers sun to partial shade, very little water and is deer resistant. Dark green foliage grows to three feet tall and six feet wide.

Polygonum aubrerti Silver Lace Vine Prefers full sun and little water. White flowers bloom from spring through fall. This vine can grow upwards of twenty feet. Potentilla Cinquefoil, numerous Prefer full sun very little water, and are deer resistant. White, yellow or pink flowers bloom all summer. Grow to four feet and is native to California. Prunus andersonii Desert Peach Prefers sun and very little water. Flowers are pink or white, Blooming in spring. Grows to six feet and is native to California. Prunus besseyi Western Sand Cherry Prefers full sun and little to very little water. Inconspicuous white flowers bloom in spring. Grows to six feet. Prunus virginiana Western Chokecherry Prefers partial shade, little water and is deer resistant. White flowers bloom in spring. Grows to fifteen feet and is native to California. Rhamnus californica Coffeeberry Prefers sun to partial shade, very little water, and is deer resistant. Grows to eight feet and is native to California. This is an evergreen shrub. Rhamnus cathartica, R. frangula Alder and Tallhedge Buckthorn Prefer full sun and little water. Flowers are very inconspicuous. Grow to fifteen feet. Rhamnus is invasive in some areas. Rhus aromatic , R. typhina Fragrant, Staghorn and Smooth Sumac Prefer full sun, little water and are deer resistant. Yellow and red flowers bloom in late spring. Grows to five feet.

Shrubs Shrubs Shrubs Shrubs

Vegetation with very low water needs should be planted near other less-thirsty species. Planting in groups makes them more likely to thrive

than vegetation that has been planted randomly around a landscape.

Shrubs Shrubs Shrubs Shrubs

Ribes alpinium, R. aureum, R. nevadense R. odoratum Alpine, Golden, and Pink Sierra Currant or Gooseberry Prefer partial shade, little water and are deer resistant. Yellow and pink flowers bloom in spring. Grows to six feet and is native to California. This plant can be prone to disease. Rosa woodsii Wild or Wood’s Rose Prefers sun, partial shade and shade and little water. Pink flowers bloom in summer. Grows to six feet. Native to California. Salix exigua Narrowleaf or Coyote Willow Prefers partial shade and little water. Foliage is green-grey with yellow flowers blooming in spring. Grows to six feet and is native to California. Sambucus racemosa Mountain Red Elderberry Prefers sun to partial shade and very little water. Pale yellow or white flowers bloom in spring. Grows to twenty five feet and is native to California. Shepherdia argentea Silver Buffalo Berry Prefers full sun and very little water. Has bright red berries with yellow flowers blooming in summer. Grows to fifteen feet and is native to California. Symphoricarpos Mountain Snowberry or Coralberry Prefers sun, partial shade and shade, very little water and is deer resistant. Pink flowers bloom in summer. Grows to four feet and is native to California. Achillea tormentosa Wooly Yarrow Prefers full sun, little water and is deer resistant. Yellow flowers bloom in summer. Grows to one foot.

Anacyclus depressus Mount Atlas Daisy Prefers full sun and little water. White flowers bloom from late spring through summer. Grows to one foot. Androsace sarmentosa Rock Jasmine Prefers sun to partial shade and little water. Flowers are pink or violet, blooming in late summer. Grows to six inches. Campanula poscharskyana Serbian Bellflower Prefers partial shade and little water. Blue flowers bloom in early summer. Grows to one foot. Cerastium tormentosum Snow ’n’ Summer Prefers full sun, very little water. Deer resistant. Silver foliage with white flowers, blooming in late spring. Grows to six inches. Corethrogyne filaginifolia 'Silver Carpet' California Aster Prefers partial shade, very little water and is deer resistant. Violet or pink flowers bloom in summer. Grows from six inches to three feet. Native to California. Iberis Candytuft Prefers full sun, little water and is deer resistant. White, pink or lavender flowers bloom in summer. Grows to one foot. Phlox stolonifera, P. subulata Phlox, numerous Prefers full sun, little water and is deer resistant. White, pink, red, blue or lavender flowers blooms from spring to summer. Grows to one foot. Sedum spurium Stonecrop Prefers full sun and very little water. Pink and red flowers bloom in summer. Grows to six inches. Sempervivum tectorum Hens and Chicks Prefers partial shade, little water and is deer resistant. White and pink flowers bloom in summer. Grows to six inches. Thymus Thyme, numerous Prefers full sun, little water and is deer resistant. White and pink flowers bloom in spring. Grows to six inches.

Groundcovers Groundcovers Groundcovers Groundcovers

Groundcovers Groundcovers Groundcovers Groundcovers

Moist, low-lying , and north or east facing areas of a property are better suited to support thirstier species.

GrassesGrassesGrassesGrasses

Andropogon saccharoides Silver Beard Grass Prefers sun to partial shade and little water. Wheat colored grass grows to five feet Blepharneuron tricholepis Mountain Mist Grass Prefers sun to partial shade and little water. Green to pink colored grass grows to two feet. Bouteloua grecilis Blue Grama Prefers full sun and very little water. Green-grey colored grass grows to eighteen inches. This turf grass is native to California. Calamagrostis cutiflora Feather Reed Grass Prefers sun to partial shade, little water and is deer resistant. Wheat colored grass grows from four to five feet tall. Elymus cinereus Great Basin Wild Rye Prefers full sun and very little water. Green-blue colored grass grows to five feet. Elytrigia elongate Tall Wheatgrass Prefers full sun and little water. Wheat colored grass grows to five feet. Erainthus ravennae Plume Grass Prefers sun and little water. Green-grey colored grass grows six to twelve feet tall and is considered invasive in some areas. Festuca glauca Blue Fescue Prefers full sun, little water and is deer resistant. Blue to silver colored grass Grows to one foot. Festuca ovina Blue or Sheep Fescue Prefers sun to partial shade, little water and is deer resistant. Blue-green grass grows to six inches. Festuca Rubra Creeping Red Fescue Prefers partial shade and very little water. Reddish and green colored turf grass grows from six inches to three feet.

Helictotrichon sempervirens Blue Avena Oat Grass Prefers full sun, little water and is deer resistant. Silver and wheat colored grass grows to five feet. Hesperostipa comata Needle and Thread Grass Prefers full sun and very little water. Yellow grass grows to four feet. This grass is native to California. Leymus triticoides Creeping Wild Rye Prefers sun to partial shade and little water. Green-blue grass grows to two feet. Oryzopsis hymenoides Indian Rice Grass Prefers full sun and very little water. Yellow grass grows to three feet. This grass is native to California. Pancium virgatum Switch Grass, numerous Prefers sun to partial shade, very little water and is deer resistant. Grass colors can range from wheat to green or red, growing to five feet. Poa scabrella Needlegrass Prefers sun to partial shade and little water. Green colored grass grows to two feet. Native to California. Schizachyrium scoparium Little Bluestem Prefers sun to partial shade, very little water and is deer resistant. Blue to silver colored grass grows to three feet. Sorghastrum nutans Indian Grass Prefers full sun, little water and is deer resistant. Green and yellow colored grass grows to five feet.

There are two simple signs to look out for when your lawn need irrigating. Your lawn will appear lighter green and when you walk across your lawn, the grass stalks don’t spring back, leaving footprints.

TreesTreesTreesTrees

Abies numerous native Fir, especially White Prefer sun to partial shade, little water and are deer resistant. Foliage is silvery blue-green. Grow from seventy five to one hundred and eighty feet tall. Choose California native firs. Acer grandidentatum Bigtooth or Rocky Mountain Sugar Maple Prefer sun to partial shade and little water. Foliage is green until autumn, when fall colors appear. Grow ten to twenty feet. Acer nigrum Black Maple Prefer sun to partial shade and little water. Foliage is green until autumn, when fall colors appear. Grow seventy five to one hun-dred twenty feet tall. Calocedrus (Libocedrus) decurrens Incense Cedar Prefers sun to partial shade and very little water. Foliage is green. Grows One hundred twenty to one hundred eighty feet tall. This tree is native to California. Celtis reticulate Hackberry Prefers full sun and very little water as it ages. Foliage is silvery green. Grows to thirty feet and is native to California. Crataegus ambigua Russian Hawthorne Prefers full sun, little water and is deer resistant. Bears red berries and white or pink flowers. Grows fifteen to forty feet. Gleditsia triacanthos Honey Locust Prefers full sun, little water and is deer resistant. Foliage is green to yellow. Grows from thirty to seventy feet tall. This tree needs plenty of root space. Gymnocladus dioica Kentucky Coffee Tree Prefers full sun and very little water. Female trees have purple flowers. Grows from sixty to seventy five feet tall.

Juniperus Juniper, most Prefer sun to partial shade, very little water and are deer resistant. Foliage is green-grey. Grows from fifteen to fifty feet tall. Choose California native junipers. Larix occidentalis Western Larch Prefers sun and little water. Pale green foliage turns gold. Grows from one hundred to one hundred eighty feet. This tree is very fire resistant. Picea pungens Colorado Spruce Prefer sun to partial shade, very little water and is deer resistant. Foliage is silvery- blue. Grows to sixty feet. Pinus many native Pine, especially Jeffrey Prefer full sun, very little water and are deer resistant. Foliage on pines is dark green. Lodgepole pine grow upwards of eighty feet while sugar and ponderosa pines can reach a height of two hundred feet or more. Choose California native pines. Prunus maackii Amur Chokecherry Prefers sun and little to very little water. Foliage can be white or cream colored. Grows to thirty feet. Quercus coccinea, Q. borealis, Q. macrocarpa, Q. palustris Scarlet, Northern Red, Bur and Pin Oak Prefer sun and little to very little water. Foliage is green until autumn, when fall colors appear. Grow to eighty feet. Quercus gambelii Rocky Mountain White Oak Prefers sun and little water. Foliage is green until autumn, when fall colors appear. Grows from twenty to thirty feet tall. Syringa vulgaris Lilac Prefers full sun, little water and is deer resistant. Flowers are white to violet. Grows to fifteen feet and is native to California.

Using organic mulch, such as bark, wood chips or evergreen needles, around trees and in shrub beds reduces soil temperature and will eventually break down, adding nutrients to the soil.

• Wayne Hinkel of Bishop Nursery, Bishop, California • Elizabeth Tenney • Gail Mueller of Evergreen Landscape, Mammoth Lakes, California

• Jenny Bouwman of Mammoth Lakes Nursery, Mammoth Lakes, California

• Paula Y. Padilla, former Conservation Officer, Mammoth Community Water District • Kathleen Nelson, Forest Bonist, Inyo National Forest

An even greater reduction in outdoor water

use can be achieved by replacing conventional landscaping techniques with those used to support a xeriscape garden. Many of the plants listed in this brochure are considered xeric, based on their especially low water needs. Questions regarding the seven principles of xeriscaping can be directed to the Mammoth Communtity Water District website, on the Demonstation Garden Photo Journal page.

Brochure compiled in 2008 by Sara Pfeifer, Conservation Officer, Mammoth Community Water District spfeifer@mcwd.dst.ca.us

MAMMOTH COMMUNITY WATER DISTRICT PO Box 597/ Mammoth Lakes, CA 93546

(760) 934-2596 http://www.mcwd.dst.ca.us/

• Sunset Western Garden Book • Eastern Sierra Regional Fire Safe Council • “Plants That Thrive in Eastern Sierra Gardens” Compiled by: Karen Ferrell-Ingram, native plant propagator Sherryl Taylor, Garden Club of America / Partners for Plants Elizabeth Tenney, Master Gardener, University of Nevada-Reno • California Native Plant Society online at http://www.cnps.org/ • Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center online at http://www.wildflower.org/ • http://plants.usda.gov/ • http://calflora.org/

• Michael Charters of http://calflora.net/ • http://www.highcountrygardens.com/ • http://www.laspilitas.com • http://www.wildflower.org/ • http://www.bluestem.ca/

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