Water Efficient Plant Guide

Thinking about changes you might make to your landscape?

Maybe you want to add native plants to your landscape. Maybe you just want to add some color or texture to an existing landscape with some new plants. Maybe you are planning an entirely new landscape. New plants require additional irrigation until they are established. Hopefully, you are considering how much water your new landscape will need once it is established.

Perhaps you aren't sure what plants take only sips of water rather than gulps. Maybe you have an idea what some of these plants are and just want to know what they will look like when they are mature. Maybe there are lots of interesting plants you don't even know about that are aesthetically pleasing, add texture to your landscape, and do not require lots of irrigation once established. If that is the case, Corvallis Public Works can help! 

As a partner with other agencies and institutions from Portland to Eugene, Corvallis Public Works developed a full-color guide to Water Efficient Plants for the Willamette Valley. You can pick up a copy of the guide at Corvallis Public Works, or you can download a PDF version of the guide from the links below. This guide recently won a regional award for excellence from the American Water Works Association's Pacific Northwest section. 

Remember, even with water-efficient plants in your landscape, it is up to you to manage your irrigation. While most plants can be harmed by too much water, many drought-tolerant plants are very effective at using lots of water if you give it to them. Reduce the irrigation you apply to meet the needs of your plants. During warm weather, you can check out how much water your lawn or landscape needs each week by calling the Water Conservation Hotline at 541-766-6733, and then dialing 1.

Download the guide by subject 

Contributing Partners
Introduction 
7 Basic Steps 
Broadleaf Trees 
Evergreen Trees
Shrubs 
Bulbs 
Perennials 
Ground Covers 
Ornamental Grasses 
Water Efficient Demonstration Gardens 
Index of Plant Names and Resource