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Xeriscaper: Visalia resident Curtis Wilson replaces lawn with native California drought-resistant plants

Posted by: Maven on April 23, 2009 at 7:56 am

From the Tulare Advance-Register:

When some people first glance at Curtis Wilson’s lawn, they ask him why he’s growing weeds. But a closer look reveals that both his front and back lawn have a haphazard design to them that incorporates many native plants and grasses, as well as other flora that is suitable for a Mediterranean climate.

“I tried having lush gardens that were water intensive, and I had delicate plants but the heat just destroyed them,” he said. “I got tired of it.”

This type of landscape is called xeriscaping, said Nathan Garza, natural resource conservation technician for the city of Visalia. He said it is one thing the city is encouraging people to do this Earth Day — or any time of the year — in order to save water.

Wilson removed all the grass in his yard, laid down newspaper as a weed barrier and then covered it in mulch before planting hardy bushes such as dusty miller and rosemary. Bright yellow, red and orange poppies sprang up from needle grass in mid-April, making Wilson’s yard look like the Sierra foothills.

Read more from the Tulare Advance Register by clicking here.

April 23, 2009 · Filed Under Drought, Weather & Snowpack

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