UC Landscape Plant Irrigation Trials™

HAPPY MEDIUMS

Great Plants for Moderate Water

This award highlight plants that have performed well on the WUCOLS Medium levels of irrigation. They maintained high health and aesthetic quality ratings over the deficit season on 40%, 50% or 60% of ETo. Based on our evaluations, these plants should perform well on medium irrigation levels in Central Valley landscapes. 

  • Plants are listed alphabetically by scientific name
  • Plant material was evaluated in full sun or under 50% shade cloth
  • All plants were evaluated in Davis CA (WUCOLS Region 2)
  • The average Overall Appearance rating on Moderate water during the deficit treatment season is listed as Mean O/A Score (based on a 1-5 scale, where 5 is highest)
  • printer friendly pdf verson: UCLPIT Happy Mediums

Before 2017, plants were evaluated at 40% and 60% of ETo. Since 2018,  those treatments have been merged into the 50% of ETo treatment. Where plants performed differently at 40% or 60% of ETo, the recommended ETo percentage is listed with the associated mean OA score.

Scientific NameCommon NameLocationExposure

Mean O/A Score          (ETo %)

Trial Year
Aster 'Purple Dome'New England asterDavissun4.2 (40%)2011
Berberis aquifolium 'Compacta'Compact Oregon grapeDavis50% Shade4 (60%)2013
Buddleia 'Podaras #8'Flutterby Petite® Blue Heaven butterfly bushDavisSun4 (60%)2011
Dianella caerulea 'DBB03'Cassa Blue flax lilyDavisSun4 (40%)2015
Dianella caerulea 'John316'King Alfred flax lilyDavis50% Shade4 (60%)2015
Leucophyllum langmaniae 'Lynn's Legacy'Lynn's Legacy Texas rangerDavisSun4.8 (40%)2009
Lomandra confertifolia ssp. palllida 'Pom Pom' Shorty LomandraSouth CoastSun4.12021
Lomandra longifolia 'LM300'Breeze™ lomandraDavis50% Shade4.2 (50%)2018
Miscanthus sinensus 'Little Zebra'EulaliaDavisSun4.2 (40%)2014
Osmanthus heterophyllus 'Purpureus'Fragrant oliveDavis50% Shade4.4 (40%)2011
Rhus ovataSugar bushDavisSun4.2 (40%)2015
Rosa 'Korbin'Iceberg roseDavisSun4.2 (60%)2011
Salvia microphylla 'Hot Lips'Hot Lips sageDavisSun4 (40%)2013
Teucrium chamaedrys 'Prostrata'Dwarf germanderDavisSun4.2 (60%)2013