Best Drought-Tolerant Plants for Commercial Landscapes in San Diego County
Commercial Landscaping with Drought-Tolerant Plants
If you’re trying to find ways to cut costs in your commercial property, replacing water-hogging plants in your landscape is a smart move. After all, water rates aren't going down; they’re continuously rising. In fact, local experts are claiming that water rates may more than double over a decade. When it comes to commercial landscaping, property managers have options to keep current tenants happy and attract new ones to maintain full occupancy.
Fortunately, here in San Diego County, we’ve got plenty of drought-tolerant plant options to beautify a property, all while reducing water use. So, your commercial property doesn’t have to consist of unattractive, barren concrete slabs.
From cacti to succulents, groundcovers, shrubs, and trees — you can replace water-hogging plants with visually appealing varieties that have environmental, as well as economic benefits. Colorful native plants will also entice native birds and butterflies to your community. All this beauty can also attract prospective clients, tenants, and customers to your commercial or retail shopping center in San Diego County.
Selecting Drought-Tolerant Plants for Your Commercial Property in San Diego County
When it comes to selecting the proper California-friendly plants for your property, you’ve got a wide variety of planting options. From fire-resistant plants to drought-tolerant lawn alternatives, we break down some of the best options for your property below.
Dymondia: Also known as Silver Carpet, Dymondia is often planted to stabilize slopes, fill gaps between pavers, and serve as a low-maintenance lawn substitute. Has fire-resistant characteristics. You can plant Dymondia around other plants to retain moisture and suppress weeds. It’s also a good option for adding contrast in succulent gardens as its silvery texture works well with Aloes and Agaves.
Lavender: Lavender thrives on slopes and is ideal if you’re looking for a plant that can be used for erosion control. Lavender can also attract butterflies, birds, and pollinators. French lavender is a species that lands on fire-resistant lists in Southern California.
Rosemary: If you’re looking to create a hedge or barrier, look for upright varieties, such as ‘Tuscan Blue’ or ‘Miss Jessopp’s Upright,' which landscape maintenance crews can maintain at 2-6 feet. They’re a good option to define pathways, privacy screens, and as formal or informal hedges. You can plant them near your entrance or window where they produce a fragrant buffer.
Manzanita: These evergreen shrubs are an excellent choice for commercial properties in San Diego County. They’re very drought-tolerant once established and offer year-round evergreen foliage and striking red bark, sure to attract all the right attention. ‘Howard McMiin’ is a popular choice for use as a privacy hedge.
Bougainvillea: If you’re looking for a low-maintenance, drought-tolerant plant that can add vibrant color to your commercial property, look no further than Bougainvillea. Keep in mind that these plants have thorns, so it’s wise not to plant them within 4 feet of walkways. Regular pruning maintains their shape, controls growth, and promotes flowering.
Cleveland Sage: Once established, it requires little to no irrigation, making it an ideal option for commercial properties that lean toward xeriscaping. Cultivars such as ‘Allen Chickering’ and ‘Winnifred Gilman’ can grow up to 3-5 feet tall and 5-8 feet wide, making them excellent for use as hedges and screens. Plus, they have fragrant leaves and attractive purple/blue flowers. This California native attracts butterflies and birds, too.
Succulents for Commercial Properties in San Diego County
Succulents are an ideal option for retail and industrial centers. They’re aesthetically pleasing, low-maintenance, and drought-tolerant, which are all excellent advantages for any commercial property in San Diego County. You can use them in planter beds, flowerpots, and vertical containers. When mixed with a variety of flowering plants and perennials, they’re sure to put on a colorful show in your property.
Agave americana: Also known as the century plant, these drought-tolerant plants feature large, blue gray, leaves that are sort of sword-shaped, so they’re an excellent option for adding another layer of security. They can act as a natural deterrent to keep pedestrian traffic away from areas where you want to keep people off.
Aeonium ( ‘Zwartkop’, ‘Kiwi’): Aeonium
looks spectacular in any commercial setting. They’re very low-maintenance and are virtually disease and pest free. While they’re drought-tolerant, they do require a bit more regular watering than other succulents due to their relatively small and shallow root system.
Euphorbia (‘Stick of Fire’): These local favorites add drama to any landscape. They can maintain year-round color, including a flaming color during the coldest months in our region. These eye-catching plants are a favorite commercial landscaping plants due to their ability to bring an “under-sea garden” look to retail and industrial spaces.
Aloe rudikoppe (‘Little Gem’): Bring year-round interest to your commercial property with ‘Little Gem’ aloes. These smaller clumping, drought-tolerant aloes grow less than 1-feet tall and can bloom yellow and orange flowers year-round.
Benefits of Drought-Tolerant Plants:
- Can withstand low-water and high-heat conditions
- Reduce water use = lower water bills
- Beautiful, colorful plants that require less maintenance
- Creating wildlife habitats
- Less prone to plant disease
- Better pest resistance
- They have deeper roots to help stabilize slopes
- Can prevent less polluted runoff from flowing into the ocean
- They can be valuable for use in areas where there is high fire danger
Experience Quality Service The Difference...Is Growing
Westturf Landscape Management Inc. has served commercial and retail properties in San Diego County since 1972. When it comes to drought-tolerant landscaping no one does it better than Westturf. We aim to help property managers save money by helping them reduce water use with sustainable landscape practices. Our commercial landscape maintenance experts will be happy to assist you in designing a waterwise landscape plan that adds beauty and retains curb appeal year-round.
For more information about our waterwise landscape maintenance services, call us at 760-650-3120 or message us online for a free quote. We look forward to partnering with you!
Let's work together
Do you have a landscaping project in mind? is it time for a new HOA landscaping company? Westturf Landscape Management is ready to help. We offer a wide range of services, from synthetic turf installation to weed and brush clearance and complete landscape transformations. When it comes to quality, efficient landscaping services, we have you covered.
We are looking forward to hearing from you.
Westturf Landscape Management
701 Mercantile Street
Vista, CA 92083
Phone: 760.650.3120