Garden Club Explores Water-Wise Beauty at SMWD Demonstration Garden

More than 40 members of the Mission Viejo Garden Club recently gathered at Santa Margarita Water District headquarters for an inspiring walking tour of SMWD's half-acre demonstration garden. The event showcased how beautiful, sustainable landscapes can thrive while using water efficiently in Orange County.

Guests explored more than 150 low-water-use plants carefully selected for local growing conditions. The garden was bursting with seasonal color, with St. Catherine's Lace and Desert Flamenco providing spectacular blooms throughout the landscape. Visitors also enjoyed experiencing the unique fragrances of the Peppermint Geranium and the aptly named Buttered Popcorn plant, highlighting how water-wise gardens can engage all the senses.

The tour featured five distinct garden styles-Mediterranean, California Native, Southwest, Home Orchard, and Meadow-demonstrating a variety of approaches homeowners can use to create attractive, climate-appropriate outdoor spaces. Amelia highlighted the important role focal trees play in each landscape, explaining how thoughtfully placed trees provide shade, reduce heat buildup, and help mitigate the urban heat island effect as temperatures rise.

Featured tree selections included the Strawberry Tree (Arbutus marina), Coast Live Oak, Thornless Mesquite, Eastern and Western Red Bud, and Hercules Aloe. Each species offers a combination of beauty, resilience, and sustainability, making them excellent choices for Southern California landscapes.

Beyond plant selection, attendees learned about practical design elements that support water efficiency and environmental stewardship. Demonstrations included permeable paving options such as Orco Cascada Block and Ekoflo decorative gravel binder, as well as sustainable landscape features such as rain gardens, rain barrels, and dry creek beds. These features help capture and manage rainfall while enhancing the overall beauty and functionality of outdoor spaces.

Throughout the tour, participants discovered how landscapes with a higher ratio of living plants and strategically spaced trees can create cooler, more comfortable outdoor environments while supporting long-term water conservation goals.

The event was a wonderful opportunity for learning, inspiration, and community connection-reflecting SMWD's ongoing commitment to helping customers create landscapes that are both beautiful and water-wise.

Interested in transforming your own landscape? Explore SMWD's free resources and tools to get started:

• Water-efficient landscaping ideas: SMWD.com/WaterWorks
• Explore landscape styles: SMWD.com/Style
• Learn about climate-appropriate trees: SMWD.com/Trees

To stay informed about upcoming workshops, garden tours, rebates, and other educational opportunities, visit SMWD.com/Events and sign up for SMWD's On Tap newsletter at SMWD.com/News. We look forward to seeing you at a future event!