When it comes to saving water outdoors, landscape design is huge! Large sections of turf or grass consume a tremendous amount of water, especially during hot summer months. While you can reduce your water use by using water saving sprinkler heads and weather-based irrigation controllers, the best way to reduce your water use is to plant regional and drought-tolerant plants.

Here are 12 different water saving plants that not only require small amounts of water, but also look amazing!

Western Redbud: A small shrub bush found natively in the southwest USA. Native Californians used the twigs of the western redbud to weave baskets, and use the bark as a faint reddish dye for the finished basketry.

california-redbud

Photo: BlueOakPhoto

California Coffee Berry: This evergreen shrub got its name from its berries, which contain seeds that look like coffee beans. This plant is native to many areas in California and Oregon. The plants can spread to up to 20 feet wide, but do not grow more than 5-6 feet high.

california-coffee-berry

Photo: pete@eastbaywilds.com

California Poppy: Selected as the California state flower in 1890, this drought-tolerant and easy to grow flower does best in full sun and in sandy or dry soils.

california-poppy

Photo: ms4jah

Chalk Dudleya: Native to the southwestern US and northern Mexico, this plant features flat fleshly leaves of pale green.

Chalk-dudleya

Photo: OC Hiker

Mexican Sage: This shrubby perennial native to a wide area of central Mexico does well in low-water conditions, making it an attractive and water saving plant.

mexican-sage

Photo: bluehazyjunem

Gazania ‘Golden Flame’: Native to southern Africa, the Gazania is often planted as a drought-tolerant ground cover.

gazania

Photo: dezinerfolio

Ceanothus: This shrub plant is found often in California, with some found as far south as Guatemala. Native Americans used the dried leaves of this plant as a herbal tea, and early pioneers used the plant as a substitute for black tea.

ceanothus

Photo: mikeydud

Australian Willow: An attractive evergreen that can grow up to 35 feet tall. Willow trees, once fully grown often terrific shade for other plants below.

australian-willow

Photo: expom2uk

Bowles Mauve: This low maintenance and long lasting flower does well in full sun and dry conditions.

bowles-mauve

Photo: kelpie1

Society Garlic: This perennial, native to Africa, has long and thin evergreen leave with purple flowers. And yes, it got its name from its garlicky aroma.

society-garlic

Photo: mojo621

Maguey Agave: Originally from Mexico, this plant has gain popularity worldwide as an ornamental plant.

agave

Photo: raulmacias

Roman Chamomile: This low perennial plant is often found in dry fields in Europe, North America, and Argentina. The flowering time is June and July, and its fragrance is sweet and crisp. The word chamomile comes from the Greek word (chamai) or “earth-apple”.

roman-chamomile

Photo: painted fish studio

That’s my list…What kinds of low-water or drought-tolerant plants do you like?