​​Drought Tolerant Gardening is a Redding-Area Must. Here’s Why.

Redding is in one of the world’s five mediterranean climate zones. Because of our dry summers, which all mediterranean climates have in common, drought tolerant plants thrive here. Many, many drought tolerant plants are also evergreen and need less maintenance, as well as less water.

With the water restrictions California is currently facing, becoming a low water-use gardener is happening in real time.

Turtle Bay’s McConnell Arboretum and Botanical Gardens has practiced low-water gardening since it opened in 2005. The Turtle Bay nursery sells California Native and drought tolerant plants, ready to help your garden withstand the heat.

Lisa Endicott walks along rows of drought tolerant plants at the nursery, stopping and sharing facts about them effortlessly. After 20 years at Turtle Bay she is still excited about what drought tolerant gardening can do for Redding.

She remembers in 2013 when the governor announced water restrictions, and ever since then, Turtle Bay’s horticulture department has worked to get the word out about drought tolerant gardening, Endicott says.

“We’re getting it out there, that drought tolerant is the way to go. When I tell people that we grow mostly drought tolerant plants in our nursery, their eyes light up,” she says. “And if you go around neighborhoods, you’ll see that people have been taking out their lawns and replacing them with drought tolerant plants. It is often very artfully done.”

Drought tolerant plants are not dreary and drab but have wonderful textures and color. Many drought tolerant plants are pollinator-friendly and can be a great way to begin gardening for newer green thumbs because of their low maintenance and their durability, Endicott shared.

Ready to get started? Our Nursery focuses on growing California native plants as well as water-wise, and climate-acclimated plants from around the world, this way they are prime to grow strong and healthy right in your own backyard. Visit between Wednesday and Saturday from 9 am-1 pm, or visit turtlebay.org/nursery.