Community Post

In Zone 8b you can keep a similar evergreen look but cut way back on water. Swap the lawn and thirsty groundcovers for drought tolerant options like kinnikinnick, creeping juniper, or low native grasses. For the trees and structure, consider western red cedar alternatives like incense cedar or Alaska cedar, and use mulch or bark fines between plantings to keep it clean and low maintenance.

I’d go more PNW drought-tolerant than “desert” same low-water benefit but it still looks natural with all the evergreens around you. Great swaps: Lavender / salvia / catmint for long bloom + low water Sedum + creeping thyme as groundcover Ornamental grasses (blue fescue / feather reed grass) for movement Rock mulch + boulders to cut watering + keep it clean You’ll get the same full, landscaped look with way less irrigation https://app.neighborbrite.com/s/KGqLRPwfatL