The Best Low-water Plants Trialed at South Coast REC
We reserve our Blue Ribbon™ for plants that maintain high standards of aesthetic quality over the growing season on our lowest irrigation treatment (20% of ETo). Based on our evaluations these plants should perform well on low water in South Coastal landscapes.
- Plants are listed alphabetically by scientific name
- Plants were evaluated in full sun or under 50% shade cloth
- All plants were evaluated in Irvine CA (WUCOLS Region 3)
- All plants were evaluated using recycled irrigation water
- The average Overall Appearance rating on Low water during the deficit treatment season is listed as Mean O/A Score (based on a 1-5 scale, where 5 is highest)
- printer friendly pdf version:
| Scientific Name | Common Name | Exposure | Mean OA Score | Trial Year |
| Elaeagnus x ebbingii ‘Viveleg’ | Olive Martini™ eleagnus | Sun | 3.7 | 2019 |
| Lavandula x allardii 'Meerlo' | Meerlo lavender | Sun | 3.6 | 2019 |
| Lomandra confertifolia ssp. pallida 'LOPOMP' syn. 'Pom Pom' | Shorty lomandra | Sun | 3.9 | 2021 |
| Pennisetum spathiolatum | Slender Veldt Grass | Sun | 4.0 | 2022 |
| Tecoma x 'Red Hot' | Red Hot Trumpetbush | Sun | 4.0 | 2022 |
| Vitex 'Bailtexone' | Flip Side® chastetree | Sun | 3.4 | 2019 |