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Get This Look: 5 Southern California Waterwise Lawn Replacement Ideas

Los Angeles & Southern California residents can save water and save money by replacing traditional grass lawns with low-water landscaping. High Country Gardens will help you get started with beautiful waterwise landscape design ideas. Read on for more information about California Native plants and how to apply for local turf replacement rebates and incentives, too!

By Kendall Frost, High Country Gardens Content Manager | Updated 2/13/25

California Cottage Garden

This waterwise yard is bursting with color and texture thanks to generously planted perennials. These low-growing groundcovers and mounding plants covered in blooms are are ideal for adding curb appeal while maintaining a low-maintenance and tidy appearance.

The color palette features bright pink, soft purples, and warm yellow blooms, which all complement the warm tones of the home's exterior.

Finally, the pathways and stones offer structure to the landscaping, signaling care and intention to the neighbors, and giving the homeowners paths to enjoy their garden from every angle.

Recommended plants to get this look:

Meadow Style Gardening

Take inspiration from wildflower meadows for your large-scale garden or lawn replacement. Shrubs and ornamental grasses create structure and anchor the garden, creating a feeling of shelter and privacy. Adding a flowering vine can provide additional privacy screening as well.

In this yard, low-growing and low-maintenance wildflowers and perennials add gentle pops of color across the yard. The minimal color palette helps create a calm, serene feel in this yard.

Recommended plants to get this look:

Cool & Contemporary

This front yard garden design uses low-growing and creeping groundcovers and succulents wisely. These compact pants add generous texture and color, while easily maintaining a tidy look that doesn't block the view of cars or pedestrians.

A cool color palette features Salvias with dark violet blooms, lush foliage in a range of green and silver, accented by pops of yellow, white, and pink flowers.

The gravel mulch allows plants to spill over organically while providing a clean, contemporary look.

Recommended plants to get this look:

Jeweltone Sidewalk Garden

A sidewalk garden is the perfect place to remove turf grass and plant a welcoming waterwise garden. A few taller pollinator-friendly plants pair with the low-growing succulents to enhance the display and add a bit of protection for the most compact plants. When they’re in bloom, you can enjoy an extra pop of color and attract pollinators, too.

At the edges, stones and gravel provide the sharp drainage that these waterwise plants need, while adding texture and year-round interest. This simple, low-maintenance combination will make for a relaxing outdoor space.

Learn More: Garden Design With Cacti & Succulents

Recommended plants to get this look:

Waterwise Warm Tones

The warm colors of this garden will give a bright and welcoming feel to your yard. 

California Poppies are repeated throughout the garden. These flowers like to naturalize and spread, so their soft ferny foliage will provide groundcover to knit the garden together.

Native perennials with bright blooms, including Blanket Flower, Prince's Plume, and Sulphur Buckwheat provided pops of yellow. Pale purple flowers help to complement the warm tones. 

Large stones coordinate beautifully with the color palette of the flowers, while providing a clear border at the edge of the garden. 

Recommended plants to get this look:

How To Apply For Your Turf Replacement Rebate 

Want to get paid to go from lawn to garden with a turf replacement rebate?

For gardeners in Southern California and the greater Los Angeles, California area, apply for a rebate through LADWP Turf Replacement Rebate Program, a partnership with the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD) SoCal Water $mart Rebate Program. Visit their website to apply and for helpful landscape design resources.

All applications must be submitted online through the SoCal Water$mart website.

Make sure to follow the correct process! Strict compliance with your local rebate program's process and procedures is critical to rebate eligibility. 

  1. Check your local turf replacement rebate program for requirements, processes, and deadlines for available incentives.
  2. Plan your project, create your garden design, and curate your plant list following the program's requirements. Use the garden ideas above for inspiration. 
  3. Take "before" photos following your program's requirements.
  4. Submit your garden design & before photos to the rebate program for review and approval.
  5. After receiving approval, order your plants. Remove your existing turf lawn and install your new waterwise garden.
  6. Submit the required documentation and photos to the turf replacement rebate program after the planting is completed to receive your rebate.
  7. Share your results with High Country Gardens! Use #highcountrygardens on your social media posts to share your story, or send us your photos

High Country Gardens does not provide the rebate - we are your source for expert advice and how-to guides, garden design inspiration, and premium plants shipped right to your door. Visit our Waterwise Learning Center for resources.


California Native Plants

Many homeowners who are interested in replacing a turf grass lawn with waterwise plants naturally find an interest in growing native plants. California's diverse ecoregions make this state home to an amazing array of native plant species. 

Our friends at Calscape, The California Native Plant Society, make it easy for gardeners to select, find, and grow locally native plants that support California’s unique biodiversity and wildlife. Native plants support wildlife, save water, are resilient to climate change, and help create a sense of place and embraces the natural beauty of the landscape around you.