Water Wise Landscaping for Southern California Living
By choosing the right plants, using efficient irrigation, and adopting smart gardening practices, you can create an outdoor space that thrives in our Southern California climate while conserving one of our most precious resources.
Whether you’re planning a full yard makeover, a specific area or simply looking for easy tips to reduce your water use, ETWD is here to help. Explore our resources, rebates, and programs designed to make it simple—and rewarding—to grow a landscape that’s both sustainable and stunning.
Landscape Conservation Tips
Coming soon
Finding a Landscaper
The Association of Professional Landscape Designers (APLD) is a great place to research a landscape design professional.
Finding an Irrigation Specialist
View local Qualified Water Efficient Landscapers (QWEL) here to help you with your irrigation.
Water Calculator
Visit the BeWaterWise website to use the Watering Calculator tool which estimates the correct amount of water to give your landscape or garden every week during normal weather conditions. Developed by the city of San Diego, it provides customized watering schedules by zip code based on data from the California Irrigation Management Information System weather station network.
Up to 70 percent of residential water use is for landscape. One of the most effective ways to conserve water is to irrigate efficiently.
BeWaterWise Landscape Irrigation Calculator
Calscape
The simple act of planting native plants in yards, traffic medians, business parks, and public spaces conserves water, reduces harmful pesticide use, and quite literally supports life. Calscape makes it easy for you to find the right plants and inspiration to transform the place you call home.
Tree Resources
MWDOC has compiled a variety of tree resources to help you select and care for trees in your landscape. Information on planning your tree layout, water smart trees, tree selection guide, tree care, tree planting guide and tree benefits can all be found here!
Free Landscape Designs
MWDOC has collaborated with top landscape designers to create FREE landscape designs for your use. There are multiple designs in seven categories based on landscapes that thrive in Southern California’s climate.
Sunset Magazine Plant Finder
Find the perfect plants and flowers for your garden with Sunset Magazine’s plant finder tool. Discover which plants are most ideal for your landscape’s climate zone, sun exposure and plant preference.
California Friendly Maintenance Guide
A maintenance guide for Landscapers, Gardeners and Land Managers
Overwatering is Out – OC Stormwater Program
H2OC was created by the Orange County Stormwater Program to help Orange County residents take action to keep our local waterways healthy for generations to come.
ETWD Demonstration Garden
See water-smart landscaping in action at the El Toro Water District Demonstration Garden. Designed to showcase California-friendly plants, efficient irrigation systems, and sustainable gardening practices, the garden is a living example of how beauty and conservation can work hand in hand.
Visitors can explore a variety of California Friendly and drought tolerant plants, discover creative design ideas, and learn how simple changes at home can save water, reduce costs, and create a thriving outdoor space. Whether you’re planning a full landscape transformation or just looking for inspiration, the Demonstration Garden offers practical solutions tailored to Southern California’s climate.
The ETWD Demonstration Garden is located at 24251 Los Alisos Blvd., Lake Forest, CA, 92630.
Plant List
Click here for the ETWD Garden Plant List
After Photos
Design Photos
Before Photos
