A must-have for every gardener in California looking for a new way to garden in a changing climate In recent years California has been facing extreme drought, and in 2015 they passed state-wide water restrictions that affect home owners. Unfortunately the drought is only going to get worse, and gardeners who aren’t willing to abandon their beloved pastime entirely are going to have to learn how to garden with the absolute minimum of water.  The Drought-Defying California Garden highlights the best 230 plants to grow, shares advice on how to get them established, and offers tips on how to maintain them with the minimum amount of water. All of the plants are native to California—making them uniquely adept at managing the harsh climate—and include perennials, annuals, shrubs, trees, and succulents. “A must-have for any California gardener who wants a little color and interest in the landscape.” — Garden Design Online “Detailed plant descriptions are paired with honed advice for planting and care in garden settings.” — San Diego Home and Garden “There are a lot of practical and ecological reasons to turn your landscape into a way station and home for bees. In fact, the list of advantages is so compelling it may dramatically change how you see and use the space around your home.” — The Press Democrat “Lucy Warren, co-author of The Drought-Defying California Garden , believes that emulating nature by using drought-tolerant plants is the productive way to grow, especially in Mediterranean climates.” — The Associated Press “This well-written, well-illustrated, well-designed book is an excellent introduction to creating attractive, sustainable landscapes with native plants that greatly reduce water use.” — Choice Magazine “An indispensable guide to growing native plants culled from years of hands-on experience” — San Diego Home and Garden “A wealth of information based on the authors’ many years of experience in the field. . . . The practical information shared by Rubin and Warren is what makes this book so useful for anybody who is considering installing a California native garden. . . . simply follow their recommendations.” — Succulents and More Grow a stunning garden with less water!   Home landscapes that require copious amounts of water simply aren’t an option anymore. But that doesn’t mean you have to settle for barren expanses of rock mulch or artificial turf. California native plants can create a lush, wildlife-friendly landscape that requires minimal irrigation once it’s established. Learn which plants will work best in your yard, how to get them established, and how to keep them looking great all year long. Greg Rubin is the president and founder of California’s Own Native Landscape Design, Inc. working as a licensed landscape contractor after leaving a career in aerospace engineering. Rubin designs residential, commercial, and institutional landscapes and has been featured in many outlets including the Wall Street Journal , San Diego Union Tribune , Los Angeles Times , Sunset , San Diego Home and Garden , California Garden , Kiplinger’s , MSNBC, and NPR. Learn more at calown.com. Lucy Warren is a longtime regional gardening professional in southern California. She has written for many local and national publications, including a regular gardening column in the San Diego Union-Tribune . She has also been editor for California Garden magazine. She is a life-member of the San Diego Horticulture Society, a UCCE Master Gardener, and a horticulture chair on the board of Friends of Balboa Park. She is a sought-after speaker and expert on native plants and sustainable landscaping. Introduction California is in a state of crisis. Persistent drought has drawn down water supplies and the reliability of future precipitation is uncertain. Water, the precious source of life, can no longer be taken for granted and must be utilized wisely—nowhere more so than in the landscape. But Californians have always been pioneers, embracing change and exploring innovative new directions and solutions, and this wake-up call to the limits of our natural resources is an opportunity to create beautiful, lush, native landscapes in tune with nature. Californians can shed their old habits of neighborhoods lined with turf lawns and create interesting, beautiful landscapes based on a more realistic, healthful, and sustainable protocol. Reducing our water usage in the landscape does not have to mean bare earth, paved front yards, or sand and cacti. When we take the time to learn from nature, we open up a wealth of amazing possibilities already available and waiting to be utilized—thousands of plants unique to our area. Our exceptional environment is a rare and beautiful gift; it is time to open and enjoy it in all its wonders. The common, seemingly mandatory, lawn for every home, park, and corporate campus is the least sustainable horticultural practice in our region. Mown grass, in fact, is a relativel