Research Revealing the Best Low-water Plants

Program Overview

The trial field at UC Davis with participants at one of our 2018 Open House events.

Our data is one of the sources that may be used  to supplement The Water Use Classification of Landscape Species (WUCOLS) when creating water budgets required by California's Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO). We use a scientific trialling method and share the results so you can make informed decisions when specifying, selecting, or promoting plant material.

Plant material is submitted by growers, breeders, and brokers to ensure the results reflect current needs  and plant availability for the landscape and nursery industry. Please visit the Contact Us tab if you would like to participate by entering plants or evaluating them at one of our Open House events.

Outcomes

• WUCOLS-compatible irrigation recommendations for end-user compliance with state landscape water regulations (MWELO).
• Unbiased, scientific plant performance evaluations critical  for new introductions.
• Showcase of the best performing low and moderate water use plants in the trials.
• Promotion of water-conserving landscapes through the use of high performing low-water use plants and the practice of hydrozoning (grouping plants by water need).

Some shots from our fields:

Fields at UC Davis looking colorful in June 2021

Data collection at UC ANR South Coast REC Sept. 2021