Trees and shrubs do the heavy lifting, but perennials, grasses, ground covers, and bulbs are where the magic happens. They add color, texture, and constant change through the seasons.
Chapter 18 focuses on the smaller players. Owen Dell emphasizes choosing plants that are low‑water, pest‑resistant, and beneficial to pollinators.
Perennials come back year after year. Sustainable choices include: lavender, salvia, echinacea (coneflower), rudbeckia (black‑eyed Susan), penstemon, and yarrow. All thrive with minimal water once established. Dell suggests planting in drifts (groups of 3‑5 of the same species) rather than single specimens – this mimics nature and creates visual impact.
Ornamental grasses add movement and texture. Native grasses like little bluestem, sideoats grama, and blue grama are extremely drought‑tolerant. They also provide winter interest if left standing. Avoid invasive grasses like pampas grass or fountain grass (banned in some states).
Ground covers replace turf in areas you don’t walk on. Good options: creeping thyme (fragrant, walkable), wild strawberry (edible fruit), kinnikinnick (evergreen), and native sedges. Plant ground covers 6‑12 inches apart; they’ll fill in within two years.
Bulbs are nature’s surprise packages. Choose species that naturalize (multiply over time) like crocus, daffodil, and species tulips. Avoid hybrid tulips that fade after one year. Plant bulbs in fall; they’ll emerge at different times, extending the bloom season.
Dell also covers edible perennials – asparagus, rhubarb, artichoke, and perennial kale – that produce food for years with minimal input. And self‑sowing annuals like California poppy and cosmos that reseed themselves, giving you free plants every spring.
The key lesson: diversity. A landscape with dozens of small plant species is more resilient to pests, drought, and disease than a monoculture. Embrace the mix.
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