| Low-water use tolerance and quality performance of five species of landscape plants were evaluated at the University of California, Davis campus. Four of the five plants were selected from the University of California Arboretum All-Stars list. The species evaluated were: Heuchera maxima, Woodwardia fimbriata, Osmanthus heterophyllus 'Purpureus', Helleborus "Lady Series", and Ribes viburnifolium. The species were planted under 50% shade and irrigated at four different treatment levels. The treatments included deficit irrigation at 80%, 60%, 40%, and 20% of reference evapotranspiration. These same species were evaluated for Sunset Zone climate performance at eleven UC Master Gardener demonstration gardens throughout California. All of the plants performed well under deficit irrigation, with the exception of Woodwardia fimbriata. Woodwardia fimbriata growth was severely limited under deficit irrigation during the summer months. |
