9 Beautiful Low-Water Plants

Photo by Michele Lee Willson; written by Kathleen N. Brenzel

Magical outdoor room

“Everything about this garden is magical,” says designer Vera Gates of Liz and Chris Dressel’s hillside hideaway in Woodside, California. “The light is magical. So are the plantings around the native oak.” Thoughts of yard work won’t break the spell here: These plants are all low-water and easy-care. A decomposed-granite patio means no lawn to mow. And the chairs around the portable firepit? Bewitching. “Guests just want to recline in them and enjoy the view. No one ever wants to leave.” Design: Vera Gates and Scott Yarnell, Arterra Landscape Architects, San Francisco (arterrallp.com)

Click ahead to get info on the 9 beautiful plants on display, and then plant your own magical outdoor sanctuary.

Photo by Rob D. Brodman

Santa Barbara daisy

(Erigeron karvinskianus)

The tiny white and pink flowers make a great border accent when planted in the forefront of tall grasses.

Photo by Michele Lee Willson

Mexican feather grass

(Stipa tenuissima)

These clump-forming grasses produce large, open, airy inflorescences that can add lightness and motion to the garden.

More about Mexican feather grass

Photo by Linda Lamb Peters

French lavender

(Lavandula dentata)

This aromatic variety of lavendar is lovely when used as informal hedge or edging.

More about French lavender

Photo by Marion Brenner

Beard tongue

(Penstemon)

This bushy plant is fairly short lived, but to make up for it, it produces lots of trumpet-shaped blooms over a long period. Deep purple ‘Midnight’ is a standout for its vivid hue.

More about Beard tongue (Penstemon)

Photo by Doreen L. Wynja

Butterfly bush

(Buddleja davidii)

These small, fragrant blossoms grow in spikelike clusters and attract butterflies to your garden.

More about butterfly bush

Photo by Marion Brenner

New Zealand flax

(Phormium)

This dramatic plant with fanning evergreen leaves makes a good garden focal point. It provides year-round color, which intensifies in cool weather.

More about New Zealand flax

Hedge lavender

(Lavandula x intermedia 'Grosso')

Like other varieites of lavender, this will succeed in cool coastal or mountain climates or inland valleys and deserts--essentially a great pick for a low-water garden.

More about hedge lavender

Photo by Michele Lee Willson

Carex divulsa

(Sold as Carex tumulicola)

This ornamental grass is a lovely choice to grow for foliage effect.

More about Carex dilvulsa

Photo by Thomas J. Story

Common thyme

(Thymus vulgaris)

The herb's small, pungent leaves grow on stems up to 1 foot tall, yielding white to lilac flowers, making it a good choice for low edging.

More about common thyme

9 beautiful easy-care plants