CSLB C-27 Landscaping ContractorPlanting and LandscapingHard
A landscape contractor is designing a low-maintenance planting bed for a client in a hot, dry inland California area (USDA Zone 10a). The client wants year-round interest with a focus on flowering shrubs that require minimal supplemental irrigation once established. Which plant combination best meets these criteria?
- AGardenia jasminoides, Acer palmatum, Rhododendron spp.
- BLavandula angustifolia, Berberis thunbergii, Pieris japonica
- CHydrangea macrophylla, Azalea indica, Camellia japonica
- DSalvia leucantha, Rhus integrifolia, Cistus purpureus
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. Salvia leucantha, Rhus integrifolia, Cistus purpureus
Salvia leucantha (Mexican Bush Sage), Rhus integrifolia (Lemonade Berry), and Cistus purpureus (Orchid Rockrose) are all excellent choices for hot, dry inland California. They are drought-tolerant once established, provide year-round interest, and offer attractive flowers or foliage, aligning with the client's low-maintenance and minimal irrigation requirements.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Gardenia, Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum), and Rhododendron all require more consistent moisture and often cooler, shadier conditions than a hot, dry inland area.
- B. While Lavender is drought-tolerant, Barberry (Berberis thunbergii) is often deciduous and Pieris japonica requires acidic soil and more moisture, making this combination less ideal.
- C. These plants (Hydrangea, Azalea, Camellia) require consistent moisture and partial shade, making them unsuitable for hot, dry inland California.
Drought-Tolerant Shrub Selection
Choosing shrubs that can thrive in arid or semi-arid conditions with minimal supplemental irrigation once established, often characterized by adaptations like small leaves, silvery foliage, or deep root systems.
- Many California native plants are naturally drought-tolerant.
- Focus on plants with low water needs and suitability for the specific climate zone.
- Combine plants that offer varied textures and bloom times for year-round interest.
Memory trick: Sage, Rockrose, Rhus: Resilient, Radiant, Right for dry.