Roaring in Orange--Attacting Birds, Bees and Butterflies

What a spectacular specimen of Lion's Tail.  This is a winner for a garden with low water usage (but can tolerate regular irrigation).  It also is known to attract butterflies, birds and bees. 

Voltage--African Daisy

This plant loves the winter rains and the bright sun we've had this winter.  While it has a low water requirement, it allows has abundant blooms in the winter when the rains have come.  This plant was started when a stem broke off from another plant in the garden.  I stuck it in the dirt and this is what has grown.  Here is some information about this plant.

Signs of the Drought

Artificial Turf

Leaves turning brown and dropping in August versus October

Succulents replacing turf

The drought is impacting landscaping in the area.  New artificial turf and succulents are replacing lawns.  Trees which normally don't drop leaves until October are browning and dropping in August.

Santa Barbara Daisy

Here's a spreading ground cover with a daisy-like flower.  Planted in the fall, the strategically placed clumps quietly established themselves during our very wet winter.  They are growing now with such vigor, there is no doubt they will provide flowers through out spring/summer and fall.  This ground cover is friend of beneficial insects, birds and butterflies, with a touch of drought tolerance thrown in for good measure.  After all, shouldn't we all be a bit more tolerant?