A water feature is a great idea. Try and put it near a window you will be around quite often (like your kitchen). I have a fountain just outside my kitchen and regular visitors are hummingbirds and goldfinches since both are attracted to running water. I have also seen Western Tanagers come to my fountain. Birdbaths are great too. I have one on the other side of my house and it is on the ground. It attracts CA. towhees, sparrows, juncos and other ground foraging birds. I would do both, if you can. Birds are so entertaining to watch!

Back to the color purple! Also check out Nepeta faassenii (catmint). It can be 1-2' wide and high. Foliage smells great and it has a long bloom cycle in the Spring. Once it is done blooming, you can even cut it down to the ground and it will bloom again. I have 7 of them in a row along my back fence and 4-5 of them scattered around in my front yard. Try and plant 3-4 of them in a group. You will see way more bees and butterflies if you do this. This plant isn't native to CA but it is a trooper and once established it doesn't need that much water. In my front yard, which is mostly CA natives, it has only been watered a few times this summer. Also, I haven't noticed it attracting many cats and there are several outdoor kitties in my neighborhood.

A nice mounding Ceanothus to look at is Valley Violet. It might get 3x3 but it will take some time. In my yard, it blooms in February and attracts bumble bees. Once established, this plant doesn't require a lot of water. I have only watered it a few times this summer. Very low maintenance too.

More of a dark pink than a red but I like Eriogonum grande rubescens. It is only 1-2 feet wide but it sends up flower stalks that can get 2-3 ' high. I don't give it a lot of water and the leaves can crisp up in the summer where I live but the flowers still look good. I keep reading this CA native likes dry spots but maybe if it got more regular water (every 7-10 days or so) the leaves would also look good in the summer. This isn't something I necessarily care about, so it doesn't get watered.

Salvia greggii (hot lips) has red/white bi-colored flowers. There is also one that is pure red but I don't know the name of it. This plant is drought tolerant but needs summer water to look good. It can get quite big, like 4x4. Attracts hummingbirds and has scented leaves.

Lastly, I like Epilobium (CA Fuchsia). Red tubular flowers in the summer. Hummingbirds love this one and it is one of the few plants in bloom in my garden during the hot summer. One word of caution...this plants spreads by rhizomes and I mean spreads. I just had to prune it back from my path a few days ago. You have to decide if you want to do the maintenance. I think it is worth it since it blooms in the summer and attracts so many hummingbirds.

My novel is officially over for now. Sorry for going on and on but I am truly passionate about CA natives and drought tolerant plants. Good luck.