DRY-WEATHER PLANTS STILL COLORFUL.

Byline: Jane Gates Special to the Daily News

SANTA CLARITA - Drought-tolerant gardening is not a new concept, but it seems to be less popular than it deserves.

When I look around Santa Clarita and see oceans of homes being built in every direction, I wonder about our future water supply. I don't see water bills going down.

As the population grows, or in years of drought, I can't imagine these green lawns doing well. Years ago, we had a seven-year drought and drought-tolerant gardening became popular. Then rain starting falling.

This parched winter is a reminder that weather patterns repeat and now is the time to consider planting a drought-tolerant garden.

Unfortunately, many believe this means a sparse, hungry-looking garden in varied shades of olive and brown. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Drought-tolerant means exactly what it says. There are plants that bloom luxuriantly and only require minimal water. Cactus and succulent gardens, when thoughtfully designed with paths, boulders, rocks, even sculptures, can become a maze of fascinating texture and color, created in diverse scenes. California natives can be selected to be as ornamental as any other flowering plant.

Seeding California native annuals in fall and winter can blanket the ground with startling color by early to midspring. Perennials can be grouped to give color most of the year.

There is also a growing selection of new plants from South Africa and Australia, where the climate is similar. The hot, dry air gives them the same signal for dormancy as the cold winter does to most plants in the cooler parts of the country.

If you want color in your garden during the summer resting period, try planting an area with colorful plants that do require water. Give them a selected sprinkler valve or snake in a drip irrigation line with a timer and these areas will brighten up the garden for the few months while the natives are sleeping. You will still keep your water bills low and your maintenance minimal.

Take a wander through some of our local nurseries to find California bloomers in ceanothus, the Matilija poppy, Banksia rose, salvias or native penstemmons. Non-native drought-tolerant plants that put on a flamboyant show include the butterfly bush, rockroses, daylilies, society garlic and verbena. The list of succulents and cacti that have sculptured, colored or amazingly textured foliage or showy flowers is long. And these are only a few of the many drought-tolerant plants available.

The best time to plant California natives is in the autumn or winter so they can establish their root systems for solid growth before summer dormancy. Many other drought-tolerant plants prefer the same period, but be careful of those sensitive to frost. These will do better planting now, as will cactus and many succulents that don't like their feet wet when it is cool.

Now's the time to do a little research into drought-tolerant gardening. Don't be limited by preconceived ideas. What these plants offer is less maintenance and lower water bills, with all the beauty of their more demanding counterparts. Yet they're more than just good, practical sense. They're fun.