These plants have been selected because they are attractive, often available in nurseries, non-invasive, easy to maintain, long-term performers, scaled for residential landscapes, and of course, once established — drought tolerant.
The Nifty-50 plants thrive in California’s semiarid climate. Become environmentally aware of what makes our region distinctly beautiful! The Nifty-50 plants are labeled and on display at the Water Conservation Garden at Cuyamaca College. The five-acre public garden is an excellent place to get ideas for a new or retrofitted landscape that looks beautiful and saves water, time, and money.
The Water Conservation Garden is open every day from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (Call for summer hours.) Tours are offered each Saturday morning and by appointment. There are classes, workshops, and gardening festivals for the entire family. Go to www.thegarden.org or call 619-660-0614 x10 for further information.
N = Native Plant
Click on the tabs below to see each category.
Shrubs
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Shrubs
Botanical Name is listed first then the Common Name.
1. Arctostaphylos species and hybrids - Manzanita (N)
2. Ceanothus species and hybrids - California Lilac (N)
3. Cercis occidentalis - Western Redbud (N)
4. Chamelaucium uncinatum - Geraldton Waxflower
5. Cistus species - Rockrose
6. Grevillea species and hybrids - Grevillea
7. Heteromeles arbutifolia - Toyon (N)
8. Leucophyllum species - Texas Ranger
9. Mahonia aquifolium - Oregon Grape (N)
10. Myrtus communis - Common Myrtle
11. Rosmarinus officinalis - Rosemary
12. Westringia fruticosa - Coastal Rosemary
Continued on next page with Groundcovers, Ornamental Grasses and Grass-Like Plants, Perennials and Trees.
Groundcovers
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Groundcover
22. Ceanothus griseus horizontalis species and hybrids - Carmel Creeper (N)
23. Dymondia margaretae - Silver Carpet
24. Lampranthus species - Ice Plant
25. Lantana montevidensis - Trailing Lantana
26. Rosmarinus officinalis ‘Huntington Carpet’ - Huntington Carpet Rosemary
• Rosmarinus officinalis ‘Lockwood de Forest’ - Lockwood de Forest Rosemary
• Rosmarinus officinalis ‘Prostrata’ - Prostrate Rosemary
• Rosmarinus officinalis ‘Santa Barbara’ - Santa Barbara Rosemary
27. Sedum species and hybrids - Stonecrop
28. Thymus pseudolanuginosus - Woolly Thyme
Continued on next page with Ornamental Grasses and Grass-Like Plants, Perennials and Trees.
Ornamental Grasses & Perennials
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Ornamental Grasses and Grass-like Plants
29. Cordyline australis - New Zealand Cabbage Tree
30. Muhlenbergia capillaris - Pink Muhly Grass
31. Pennisetum setaceum ’Rubrum’ - Red Fountain Grass
32. Phormium tenax and some species and hybrids - New Zealand Flax
Perennials
33. Anigozanthos species and hybrids - Kangaroo Paws
34. Encelia californica - California Sunflower
35. Lavandula species and hybrids - Lavender
36. Mimulus, Native species and hybrids - Monkey flower (N)
37. Penstemon, Native species - Penstemon (N)
• Penstemon heterophyllus - Foothill Penstemon (N)
• Penstemon parryi - Parry’s Beardtongue (N)
• Penstemon spectabilis - Showy Penstemon (N)Continued on next page with Trees.
Trees
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Trees
41. Arbutus ‘Marina’ - Strawberry Tree
42. Butia capitata - Pindo Palm
photo courtesy Phil Bergman of Jungle Music Nursery
43. Chitalpa tashkentensis - Chitalpa (N)
44. Geijera parviflora - Australian Willow
45. Lagerstroemia indica - Crape Myrtle
46. Laurus nobilis - Sweet Bay
47. Olea europaea ‘Swan Hill’ - Fruitless Olive
48. Parkinsonia x ’Desert Museum’ - Desert Museum Palo Verde
49. Pistacia chinensis - Chinese Pistache
50. Quercus agrifolia - Coast Live Oak (N)
The Water Conservation Garden is open every day from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (Call for summer hours.) Tours are offered each Saturday morning and by appointment. There are classes, workshops, and gardening festivals for the entire family. Go to www.thegarden.org or call 619-660-0614 x10 for further information.
California Wild Grape
