Question
As you enter our house to the left is an area that has a couple of birds of paradise. There has been whit rock ther for 20 years. I recently had all the rock taken out and want to put plants. I was thinking about making it like a rain forest type (all green low maintenence). It get direct sun in the morning. It is kinda kidney shape. I was thinking about a hedge along the walk way and some mood lights. I like elephant ears.
Any Ideas? I live ins Southern California

Thanks
Alice

Answer
Hi Alice,
Thanx for your question.  One of the things everyone in Southern California should consider is the conservation of water.  Rain forest plants require a lot of water.  There are numerous varieties of native California trees, shrubs, grass, ground covers and flowers that will complement your Southern California garden nicely.  Here's a great site I think you will find fun and interesting.

http://www.bewaterwise.com/Gardensoft/browser01.aspx

I know you're looking for all green and low maintenance and the link above will provide that information to you.  Agaves, yuccas, aloes and iceplants have low water requirements, look great and come in all kinds of forms.  There are foliage plants from Australia and New Zealand that are now propagated in California for Southern California gardens and they too have low water requirements.  Sages, artemesia and lantana have low requirements but lantana does bloom in many different colors.  Cyperus can be very stunning in the background with pothos or philodendron.  Elephant ears are going to require water but there are indeed a lot of different kinds.  

Here's another list of foliage plants:
Cast iron plant, ferns, bamboos, small palms, papyrus, cycads, cordyline, cardoon, artichoke, daisylirion, eryngium, euphorbia, liriope, nolina, cacti (opuntias are great, prickly pear), rosemary.

Check out this link for ideas.
http://www.plantdelights.com/Catalog/Current/welcome.php

I hope this helps.
Tom