Waterwise Landscaping Planted at Spanish Landing Park

Thursday, 16 April 2009

Bermuda Grass has been replaced with water-saving succulents and sage at the entrance to the west end of Spanish Landing Park along San Diego Bay.

"The main objective is to save water while creating attractive landscaping," said Stan Baczynski, Port Construction Inspector for this project and a certified arborist.

Once the waterwise plants are established, it is estimated water use for this 6,600-square-foot area will be reduced by 80 percent.

"Turf that had to be mowed, fertilized and irrigated was replaced with drought tolerant, waterwise plants that are low maintenance in addition to needing little water," said Baczynski.

The Port's Environmental Fund paid for this $36,000 project that also includes conceptual designs for possible installation of drought tolerant plants at other Port parks. The multi-million dollar Environmental Fund pays for projects that assist the Port in its quest to restore, protect and enhance San Diego Bay and the surrounding tidelands.

The recently completed waterwise project included grass removal, design, and installation of plants and a rock dry-stream element that now flags the entrance to the park at the intersection of North Harbor Drive and Spanish Landing West.

"This is a pilot installation program to replace turf areas that are little used for picnicking or other recreational activities with waterwise landscaping that complements the existing turf and trees in Port parks," said Baczynski.

The landscape architects are Wimmer Yamada and Caughey. The installation contractor is North San Diego County-based Green Horizon Landscape. The contractor will irrigate the plants weekly for a couple of months to assist in establishing the plants. Eventually, the waterwise plants may be self-sustaining except for during the hottest summer months.

"The area demonstrates how someone could create a landscape for their own yard using low-water plants that look attractive," said Bacynski.The Santa Barbara Mexican Bush Sage, (Salvia Leucantha), a commonly used waterwise plant, has already produced purple flowers, and yellow flowers will appear on the Blue Chalk Sticks succulents (Senecio Mandraliscae) during the summer. The golden Regal Mist Muhly grass (Muhlenbergia Capillaris) adds texture to the lively mix.

"With upcoming water regulations expected in the near future, projects of this type can benefit the entire region," said Michelle White, Manager of the Green Port Program. Water conservation is a key element of the Green Port Program, which unifies the Port's environmental sustainability goals in six key areas: water, energy, air, waste management, sustainable development, and sustainable business practices. The Green Port Program both continues the Port's existing environmental efforts and expands these efforts through new programs and initiatives.

Additional waterwise plant information is available from the Water Conservation Garden at Cuyamaca College. Or, check out the San Diego County Water Authority's new Nifty 50 List, which showcases 50 watersmart plants including shrubs, succulents, vines, groundcover, grass, perennials and trees.