Go native!

By now, it should be obvious to each and every Californian that water conservation is imperative to sustaining our way of life. There are many creative ways of cutting down on use, and one of them, as we approach springtime, is to cut down on the type of plants that require large volumes of water. So, this year, instead of picking up the same annuals to plant, consider purchasing drought-tolerant native species. Your best bet is to visit a local nursery. But here are a few options to get you started:

California poppy (pictured)

Ceanothus

Common woolly poppy

Deer grass

Lavender

Sage

Western yarrow