EMWD has saved water and reduced landscaping maintenance costs by retrofitting its landscaping, which included the creation of a demonstration garden. As part of EMWD’s efforts to maximize water supplies – including recycled water supplies – EMWD completed the third and final phase of its Landscaping Retrofit project with the completion of its demonstration garden in 2009. The garden replaces 7 acres of traditional landscaping that included 6 acres of turf grass.
EMWD’s demonstration garden was designed to showcases WaterWise landscaping and irrigation while serving as an educational space and landscape model for the community. The WaterWise demonstration garden features California friendly plants, synthetic turf, and water-efficient irrigation systems such as drip lines and smart controllers.
EMWD’s WaterWise demonstration garden is located at its headquarters at 2270 Trumble Road in Perris, California.
The garden is open to the public during EMWD business hours, with self-guided tour materials available in the Main Office. In addition, guided tours may be scheduled by contacting EMWD’s Public and Governmental Affairs Department at 951.928.3777 ext. 3430.
Trees, Shrubs, and Hardscapes
All of the trees, plants, and hardscape materials were selected to provide year-round color and for compatibility with the existing soil type. The garden uses recycled water for all irrigation.
Shrubs
|
Image |
Name |
Details |
01 |
 |
Rockrose
Cistus Purpureus |
Size: 4’ high x 4’ wide
Flower: Purple
Bloom: Spring
Needs: Full sun, low water
Attracts: Bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds |
02 |
 |
Japanese Privet
Ligustrum Japonicum |
Size: 10’ high x 8’ wide
Flower: Creamy White
Bloom: Spring-Summer
Needs: Full sun, medium water
Attracts: Bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds |
03 |
 |
“Iceberg” Floribunda Rose
Rosa Spp |
Size: 4-6’ high x 3-5’ wide
Flower: White
Bloom: Year-round
Needs: Full sun, medium water
Attracts: N/A |
04 |
 |
“Midnight” Mexican Bush Sage
Salvia Leucantha |
Size: 3-4’ high x 2-3’ wide
Flower: Dark Purple
Bloom: Summer-Fall
Needs: Full sun, low water
Attracts: Bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds |
05 |
 |
Blue Chalk Sticks
Senecio Vitalis ‘Serpents’ |
Size: 1′ high x 1’ wide
Flower: White
Bloom: Summer
Needs: Full sun, low water
Attracts: Bees, butterflies, hummingbirds |
06 |
 |
Coral Fountain
Russelia Equisetiformis |
Size: 5’ high x 5’ wide
Flower: Red
Bloom: Spring-Summer
Needs: Full sun, medium water
Attracts: Butterflies and hummingbirds |
07 |
 |
Shrub Rose
Sevillan, Rosa |
Size: 3-4’ high x 3-4’ wide
Flower: Red
Bloom: Spring-Fall
Needs: Full sun, medium water
Attracts: N/A |
08 |
 |
Gopher Plant
Euphorbia Lathyris |
Size: 2-3’ high x 3-4’ wide
Flower: Yellow
Bloom: Spring-Summer
Needs: Full sun, low water
Attracts: N/A |
09 |
 |
Yellow Bells
Tecoma Stans |
Size: 25’ high x 10-25’ wide
Flower: Yellow
Bloom: Spring-Winter
Needs: Full sun, low water
Attracts: Bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds |
10 |
 |
India Hawthorn
Rhaphiolepis Indica |
Size: 4-5’ high x 5-6’ wide
Flower: Light Pink
Bloom: Spring-Fall
Needs: Full sun, low water
Attracts: Bees and butterflies |
11 |
 |
Little John
Dwarf Callistemon |
Size: 3’ high x 3’ wide
Flower: Red
Bloom: Spring-Fall
Needs: Full sun, low water
Attracts: Bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds |
12 |
 |
Red Yucca
Hesperaloe Parviflora |
Size: 3-4’ high x 3-4’ wide
Flower: Red
Bloom: Spring-Fall
Needs: Full sun, medium water
Attracts: Bees and butterflies |
13 |
 |
Rosemary
Westringia ‘Wynyabbie’ Gem |
Size: 3-4’ high x 4-5’ wide
Flower: lavender
Bloom: Year-round
Needs: Full sun, low water
Attracts: Bees and butterflies |
14 |
 |
Sea Lavender
Limonium Carolinianum |
Size: 3’ high x 2’ wide
Flower: Purple
Bloom: Year-round
Needs: Full sun, medium water
Attracts: Bees and butterflies |
15 |
 |
Firethorn
Pyracantha |
Size: 12’ high x 12’ wide
Flower: White
Bloom: Spring
Needs: Full sun, medium water
Attracts: Bees and butterflies |
16 |
 |
Thompson Seedless Grapes
Sultanina |
Size: height varies x 20-25’ wide
Flower: Grapes
Bloom: Ripen Aug-Sept
Needs: Full sun, low water
Attracts: N/A |
17 |
 |
Red Kangaroo Paw
Anigozanthos |
Size: 1-2’ high x 1-2’ wide
Flower: Red
Bloom: Spring-Fall
Needs: Full sun, low water
Attracts: Bees and butterflies |
18 |
 |
Texas Ranger
Leucophyllum Frutescens |
Size: 6-8’ high x 6-8’ wide
Flower: Purple
Bloom: Summer-Fall
Needs: Full sun, low water
Attracts: Bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds |
19 |
 |
Red Hot Poker
Kniphofia |
Size: 3’ high x 3’ wide
Flower: Red, Orange
Bloom: Summer
Needs: Full sun, medium water
Attracts: Bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds |
20 |
 |
Deer Grass
Muhlenbergia Rigens |
Size: 4’ high x 4’ wide
Flower: Yellow/Purple
Bloom: Spring
Needs: Full sun, low water
Attracts: Butterflies |
21 |
 |
Pink Muhly
Muhlenbergia Capillaris |
Size: 3’ high x 3’ wide
Flower: Pink
Bloom: Fall
Needs: Full sun, low water
Attracts: N/A |
22 |
 |
California Holly
Toyon |
Size: 6-10’ high x 6-10’ wide
Flower: White
Bloom: Summer
Needs: Full sun, low water
Attracts: Bees and butterflies |
Trees
|
Photo |
Name |
Details |
A |
 |
Shoestring Acacia
Acacia Stenophylla |
Size: 20-30’ high x 10-20’ wide
Flower: Yellow
Bloom: Spring
Needs: Full sun, low water
Attracts: N/A |
B |
 |
Red River Gum
Eucalyptus Camaldulensis |
Size: 98’ high x 65’ wide
Flower: White/Yellow
Bloom: Spring-Summer
Needs: Full sun, low water
Attracts: Hummingbirds |
C |
 |
Arizona Ash
Fraxinus Veluntina |
Size: 30-50’ high x 40’ wide
Flower: N/A
Bloom: Spring-Summer
Needs: Full sun, low water
Attracts: Butterflies |
D |
 |
Olive
Olea Europaea |
Size: 20-30’ high x 15-25’ wide
Flower: White
Bloom: Spring-Summer
Needs: Full sun, low water
Attracts: Bees |
E |
 |
Dwarf Tea Tree
Leptospermum Laevigatum ‘Reevesii’ |
Size: 4’ high x 4’ wide
Flower: White
Bloom: Winter
Needs: Full sun, low water
Attracts: Bees and butterflies |
F |
 |
Coast Live Oak
Quercus Agrifolia |
Size: 40-60’ high x 40-50’ wide
Flower: Yellow Bloom: Winter-Spring
Needs: Full sun, low water
Attracts: Butterflies |
G |
 |
Western Redbud
Cercis Occidentalis |
Size: 15’ high x 10’ wide
Flower: Purple
Bloom: Winter-Spring
Needs: Full sun, medium water
Attracts: Bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds |
H |
 |
Eastern Redbud
Cercis Occidentalis |
Size: 15’ high x 10’ wide
Flower: Purple
Bloom: Winter-Spring
Needs: Full sun, medium water
Attracts: Bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds |
J |
 |
Cork Oak
Quercus Suber |
Size: 70’ high x 70’ wide
Flower: Brown
Bloom: Spring
Needs: Full sun, low water
Attracts: Butterflies |
K |
 |
Purple Plum
Prunus Cerasifera |
Size: 15-25’ high x 15-25’ wide
Flower: Pink
Bloom: Spring
Needs: Full sun, low water
Attracts: Bees and butterflies |
L |
 |
Citrus
Rutaceae |
Size: 15-20’ high x 15-20’ wide
Flower: White
Bloom: Spring
Needs: Full sun, medium water
Attracts: Bees and butterflies |
M |
 |
Sycamore
Platanus Racemosa |
Size: 30-80’ high x 20-50’ wide
Flower: Brown
Bloom: Winter-Spring
Needs: Full sun, low water
Attracts: Butterflies |
Hardscape
|
Photo |
Material |
Specifications |
I |
 |
River Rock |
Granite River Cobble |
II |
 |
Crushed Rock |
Desert Spice |
III |
 |
Boulder |
Navajo Boulders |
IV |
 |
Compacted Dirt Path |
Decomposed Granite |
V |
 |
Walkway Edging |
Poured Concrete |
VI |
 |
Concrete and Paver Patio |
Stamped and Permeable |
VII |
 |
Bark Mulch |
Cedar Wood Brushed Mulch |
VIII |
 |
Artificial Turf |
Synthetic Fibers with Infill |
Self-Guided Walking Tour
Save water and reduce maintenance. EMWD’s Demo Garden showcases delightful WaterWise landscaping and irrigation.
Download EMWD’s Demo Garden Walking Tour Guide (PDF)
Landscaping Retrofit Project
Retrofitting the existing landscaping has reduced maintenance costs and has significantly lowered water use.
EMWD’s demonstration garden was partially funded with donations from Synthetic Landscape America, Toro, Rainbird, and Irrometer.
The Landscaping Retrofit project began in 2005 with a goal to reduce water consumption by 75 percent. That goal was achieved after the first two phases were completed.
In the first two phases, EMWD parking lots, materials yard, and streetscapes were retrofitted to reduce turf grass, increase water-efficient ground cover, increase hardscape, and implement water-efficient irrigation systems.
Before Retrofit

|
Removal of Turf Grass

|
Blank Canvas

|
Placing Trees and Shrubs

|
Adding Boulders, Rocks and Plants

|
Nearing Completion

|
Streetscape Before the Retrofit

|
Streetscape After the Retrofit

|