gardening

LO WATER other species of Nolina, such as N. erumpens, a larger species with leaves that arch less and have less pronounced fraying at the tips. The slightly smaller N. texana looks more grass-like and lays rather flat. Both of these other species of Nolina can also be referred to as beargrass or sacahuista. As a result, it’s important to look beyond the common names and focus on the botanical name(s) to ensure you get the plant you want.

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LO WATER Western sword fern (Polystichum munitum, USDA zones 3 to 10; find your zone), shown here, grows in the forests of the West Coast, where rainfall is virtually nonexistent for six months of the year. It stays deep green nonetheless, pushing out fresh new fronds each spring after the winter rains.

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Another sign of drought tolerance in the plant kingdom is hairy leaves. Lamb’s ears (Stachys byzantina, zones 4 to 9) is a classic example. A low-growing, spreading plant, it makes a lush carpet with virtually no irrigation required. Use it as a ground cover, a filler or edging.

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LO WATER . Blue-gray foliage is one of nature’s signs of a plant with low water needs, and those plants can be employed to create a cool, soothing tone in the landscape. Powis Castle artemisia (Artemisia ‘Powis Castle’, zones 6 to 8), pictured here, is one of those plants. Its lacy leaves have the texture of silk and emit a heady aroma when you brush up against them.

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Water features. The true depth of a stone’s color shines through when the stone is wet, making cobbles, pebbles and paddle stones beautiful choices in water features. Paddle stones are perfect for lining pools and streams, as their flat surfaces create natural mosaics of neutral colors.

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