Carmichael Water District - Serving the community of Carmichael, CA

For the greater Sacramento area, average rainfall is only about 17 inches per year. This low rainfall is characteristic of a semi-arid desert climate, with sunny, dry weather most of the year. Periodic droughts are a normal occurrence. Carmichael Water District in conjunction with the Regional Water Authority (RWA) believes gardens can be beautiful and water-wise, in keeping with our natural conditions. Water-wise gardening also helps conserve our precious water supplies.

Snapshot of Water Efficiency
CWD boasts drought-tolerant plants and landscaping at its office at 7837 Fair Oaks Boulevard. The next time you visit the district, take a moment to enjoy the beautiful examples of water efficiency.

To view District plant and landscaping examples now, see photos below.

Before you begin your next irrigation/gardening project, pick up a brochure titled "Rules of Thumb for Water-Wise Gardening" or "Water Efficient Landscapes" at the District office. In it you will find helpful tips and resources.

Water-Saving Plants

These common plants need very little water and can be grown almost anywhere in California. This is just a sampling of plants: there are many others that will thrive in the local area.

Ground Covers
Yarrow
Manzanita
Snow in Summer
Chamomile
Indian Strawberry
Fleabane
Sulfur Flower
Coral Bells
Spreading Juniper
Evening Primrose
Lavender Cotton
Santolina
Thyme

Perennials, Annuals, Bulbs
Allium
Alyssum
Windflower
Thrift (Sea Pink)
Cosmos
Foxglove
Blanket Flower
Daylily
Iris
Lily
Daffodil
California Poppy
Rose Moss
Lamb's Ear

Shrubs
Manzanita
Strawberry Tree
Sandhill
Sage
Dusty Miller
Ceanothus
Rock Rose
Sunrose
Juniper
Mountain Mahogany
Smoke Tree
Oregon Grape
Toyon-Christmas Berry
Coffeeberry

Trees
Maidenhair Tree
Golden Rain Tree
Crape Myrtle
Holly Oak
Locust
Hackberry
Japanese Pagoda Tree
Chinese Flame Tree
Chinese Pistache
Western Redbud
Incense Cedar

Grasses
Tall Fescues
Hybrid Bermudas
Saint Augustine
Zoysia

See a sampling of the District Landscape water-saving plants below:
Click on the thumbnailed images below for a larger view