If the landscaper planted before installing the irrigation system, I would insist that the plants be replaced. Anyone who knows anything about growing plants should know that the first days after transplant are the most vulnerable to stress, especially drought. Nothing should be planted until the irrigation is available. Unless the plants were supposed to survive without any irrigation. In which case, they didn't. I would ask for truly drought tolerant plantings, such as succulents, cacti, and other desert plants.

Martha

docmom is correct. The irrigation should come prior to the plants. I doubt that they will come back. I don't find geraniums to be drought tolerant. It is very hot and sunny here and they do need water.

Thanks so much Martha and Suzi! Can you recommend any succulents that

bloom in pinks and reds? I'm in Los Angeles county.

Also, are you familiar with Coleanema, Cistus Sunset, or Sweet Allyssum?

He also planted some of those.

Thank you!

Very familiar with sweet allyssum in purple and white. This succulent never gets any water. It's in a rock garden that we are working on. I took a cutting from a friend, stuck it in ground, watered until it started growing and then backed off on the water. That was last year. This year it's just huge! I just took this photo, and it's closing it's blooms for the evening but you can see the color. It's name is Calandrinia spectabilis.

I appreciate the pic; that succulent is lovely! I'm just concerned the purple might clash

with my red brick porch and walkway. But I'll ask my landscaper if his nursery sells it.

Is sweet allyssum drought-tolerant? If it is, I don't see why I couldn't use it for my

whole yard (the landscaper said no).

I wish I could answer your sweet allyssum question, and I think we have it on our frontage slope, but it does get sprinklers every other day. Look at my photo. That succulent is up against a red brick wall. The blooms are more hot pink than purple, but the foliage is gray green which gives a nice contrast. Keep looking. You will find something!

Thanks so much, Suzi!

Thank you, Igteacher for your helpful information. I'll check out the link you provided.

Your garden is lovely!

Drought-tolerant has various meanings. Many require water once a month. Few can gt through the entire dry season without supplemental water.

Whatever the case, no plant is drought-tolerant until it is established.

And to become established, a plant requires supplemental water.

Unless, that is, you take advantage of your seasons.
In my region, you can put in small starts during Oct/Nov, then allow the winter rains to supply the required water.

Thank you, jean001a. I'm just concerned that the plants haven't been established well

in the beginning, and that will affect their long-term survival.

Sweet alyssum likes cool-weather, full sun, and moisture. It peters out and dies when the weather gets hot, with or without water. Moving it to shade can prolong its life, but it will stop blooming. In L.A. county try planting it in fall; at the end of each bloom cycle you can cut it back with scissors, feed it, and it will bloom again. But you can expect to lose it in late spring or early summer. Or, try drought-tolerant plants instead. Good luck!

The other plant you mentioned was misspelled. Coleonema is the correct sp. It used to be known as Diosma.

It loves heat and sun.

But I wonder at how the landscaper has done the landscaping. I see all too often bought in 'soil' put down - just shoved on top - and this to me is such a no-no.

Did the landscaper just shove the plants in and forget to water them? Were they already dry in the pot before he planted them? I doubt they will come back and I think I'd have a word with him.