As soon as I decided that I needed to replace my scruffy grass in the front, I began to think about what I would put in its place.  I wanted drought-tolerant plants that could manage with morning sun.  I prefer plants that have small pink, purple, blue, or white flowers, flowers that attract butterflies and hummingbirds.  I definitely hoped for low (or no) maintenance.  With this list in hand, I first visited El Rancho Nursery, in Vacaville near Kaiser.  The friendly folks at El Rancho introduced me to the idea of the lawn replacement rebate, available from the state of California.  I read about the rebate program, and learned that my ideas for plants matched their requirements, except that I also needed to include a tree in the design. 

A very helpful conversation with Sharon and Dave Rico about Japanese Maples coincided with the Master Gardener field trip to High Hand Nursery in Loomis.  A worker at High Hand recommended a Rhode Island Red variety of Japanese Maple, which could handle the Vacaville heat, and would not grow any larger than 10 feet in height, so that was my first purchase!  Future plant excursions included finding “Rosanne” hardy geraniums at Talini's Nursery on Folsom Blvd in Sacramento, and three varieties of Heucheras (Coral bells) at Green Acres Nursery in Sacramento.  At our local gem of a nursery, Morning Sun Herb Farm, on Pleasants Valley Road in Vacaville, I found two pink shades of Gaura, and two types of dwarf Buddleia (butterfly bush). Final plant purchases were made at our Vacaville Lowe's, where I found four beautiful ferns to go under the existing redwood tree.  Gardeners will understand that my plant shopping excursions were lots of fun!

I am happy to report that all plantings are complete.  I am delighted with the results, though I continually check to be sure the drip system is working properly, especially as our summer heat approaches.  And , happily, I heard from the state last week that my design had been approved, and I would be receiving the rebate.  My check is in the mail!