T.O. OUT TO PROVE LOW-THIRST GARDEN CAN BE BEAUTIFUL.

Byline: Michael Coit Daily News Staff Writer

A model of water-conscious landscaping is being planned for a plot in front of the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza.

The 2,400-square-foot garden will feature ground covers, shrubs and trees that need little water to thrive in East Ventura County's mostly warm and dry climate.

Intended as a demonstration garden, the plot also will feature displays of water-conserving irrigation systems and composting materials. City public works officials figure more residents are aware of the need to conserve water after the recent six-year drought, marked by rationing and higher water prices.

"The idea is to give residents an example of the type of plants they can have at their house that use less water," said Paul Swenson, the city's conservation coordinator.

"We're going to show ground covers as alternatives to grass. A lot of the pretty flowering plants require a lot of trimming and a lot of water, whereas native plants don't," he noted.

Ground covers will include myoprum, bark and mulch. Shrubs will include California lilac and coyote bush found in the neighboring Santa Monica Mountains, and there will be several native redbud trees.

Visitors to the garden will be able to walk along a path to get a close look at plants, shrubs and trees.

Swenson said the garden also will complement the oak trees, shrubs and other plants already on the grounds of the Civic Arts Plaza.

A final plan is expected in a month and the garden should be completed by summer. Swenson said the garden is expected to cost $20,000, including the landscape design.

George Moore, the city's landscape consultant, is designing the garden.

"It will be like a small back yard or standard front yard," Moore explained. "We're going to give everybody a shot at doing just a little more for the environment and show how they can save money on the watering."

The irrigation display will include different types of drip irrigation and devices that distribute water in small, targeted sprays.

"The irrigation technology has been around in agriculture for a long time, and it's just been applied to landscaping the past several years," Moore said.

Moore said the garden will be similar to those he has designed at water district offices in both Oak View and Calabasas.

People who have walked through those gardens contact Moore to learn how they can do a similar project. He said higher water bills during the drought and more expensive water rates have done a lot to make more homeowners aware of water conservation.

"That's a big reminder. If you can cut your water rates by a third, you can go out to dinner that month," he said.