Water-Wise Gardens to Visit Across the Western U.S.

Demonstration Gardens for Drought-Tolerant Inspiration

For local gardens, contact your utility district or water agency. Featured sites:

Alameda County Water District Drought Tolerant Demo Garden (Fremont, CA): Free. 43885 S. Grimmer Blvd.; 510/668-4200.
Boyce Thompson Arboretum (Superior, AZ): $7.50. 323 acres with 2.5-acre demo garden. 37615 U.S. 60; 520/689-2811.
Colorado Springs Utilities Xeriscape Demo Garden (Colorado Springs): Free. 600+ native species. 2855 Mesa Rd.; 719/668-4555.
Rio Grande Botanic Garden (Albuquerque): $7. 1+ acre water-wise gardens, 10,000-sq-ft conservatory. 2601 Central Ave. NW; 505/764-6200.
UC Botanical Garden (Berkeley): $7. Mediterranean plants, plant sales. 200 Centennial Dr.; 510/643-2755.
UC Davis Arboretum (Davis): Free. Terrace Garden demonstrates home-scale water-wise gardening. LaRue Rd. & California Ave.; 530/752-4880.
Water Conservation Garden at Cuyamaca College (El Cajon, CA): Free. 5 landscaped acres. 12122 Cuyamaca College Dr. W.; 619/660-0614.
Water Efficient Demo Garden at Clackamas Community College (Oregon City, OR): Free. DIY-focused. 19600 S. Molalla Ave.; 503/723-9692.
Xeriscape Demo Garden at University of Idaho Arboretum (Moscow, ID): Free. 0.5-acre site with perennials, natives, woody plants. 1200 W. Palouse River Dr.; 208/885-5978.

About Garden: Bog Gardening in USDA Zone 4: Winter Protection for Non-Native Species; Deer-Proofing a Large Vegetable Garden: Fencing and Deterrent Strategies; Edible Flowers: Beauty and Flavor from Your Garden; England's Cotswold Gardens: World-Class Horticultural Destinations in the South West; How to Plan a Garden: Complete Guide for Beginners; Organic vs. Vegetarian Gardening: Understanding the Difference; Japanese Garden Design: Principles, Planning, and the Art of Imperfection; Miniature Gardens: Tiny Complete Worlds in Any Container; Vertical Gardens: Growing Up for Maximum Yield in Minimum Space; 10 Must-Visit Public Gardens in the U.S. for Your Bucket List

Garden Articles

Plants