South Coast Landscape

Water-Wise is a term used to describe a water- and plant-management practice, never a plant category. Definition of being water-wise means using water more efficiently by using plants that have lower supplemental water needs and groupings plants that encourage efficient water use. Water-wise doesn’t equate to drought-tolerant.

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Drought-tolerant is a term used to describe plants that can survive short-term periods of drought. Drought-tolerant plants don’t ignore drought; they tolerate it by responding in different ways because of various adaptations.

They may wilt and bounce back no worse for wear when normal moisture returns, while another plant drops all foliage. As an example, Callicarpa tolerate drought well, but may sacrifice flower or fruit production for survival. All plants can’t live without water.