Plants and Landscapes For Summer-Dry Climates

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Winner of American Horticultural Society's 2005 Book Award

EBMUD's beautifully photographed book features more than 650 native Californian and Mediterranean plants suited to the Bay Area. Over 500 garden setting photos illustrate attractive plant combinations that require low to no summer water once established. Order directly through EBMUD or buy at local and online bookstores.


Order Now 

  • $29.95 plus tax for EBMUD customers
  • $49.95 plus tax for orders outside of the service area
  • Free shipping
  • Book sellers: Email us directly at waterconservation@ebmud.com for orders.

Please note: Softcover is no longer available. 


The book integrates plant choice and plant design recommendations from local gardeners, landscape designers, horticulturists, and nursery owners.

“Simply stunning! Bravo!” Phyllis Faber, University of California “A truly fine book . . . off the charts. Highest recommendations.” Katherine Grace Endicott, San Francisco Chronicle
"A feast for the eyes, loaded with lush photographs and helpful tips.” Sean O’Hara, Mediterranean Garden Society

What is inside?

For a preview of the book click here.  

Chapters include information on:

  • Climate and natural plant communities
  • Garden design and maintenance
  • Inspiration for creating lush landscapes while conserving water
  • Limiting green waste
  • Protecting creeks and providing habitat for wildlife
  • Charts and lists to assist in selecting plants for special situations
  • Gardens that attract butterflies and birds
  • Information on each plant's needs for sun and water, frost tolerance, and soil preferences

You may also View and Search the plants from the book by plant type (i.e. shrub, tree, perennial), name, genus, or by generic garden terms, such as "flower" or "path" online.

*Please note that while the plant book includes climate appropriate plants, inclusion in the book does not guarentee eligibility for a lawn conversion rebate project. Reach out to waterconservation@ebmud.com with questions.


Bookstores carrying Plants and Landscapes

The bookstores listed below carry Plants and Landscapes for Summer-Dry Climates. Call to confirm that the book is currently in stock.

Visit the UC Botanical Garden at 200 Centennial Drive in Berkeley to see the plants fully grown and thriving and to get ideas for your own landscape!

Berkeley Horticultural Nursery 1310 McGee Ave, Berkeley 510-526-4704
Black Oak Books 2618 San Pablo Ave, Berkeley 510-486-0698
Builders Booksource 1817 Fourth Street, Berkeley 800-843-2028
East Bay Nursery 2332 San Pablo Ave, Berkeley 510-845-6490
Laurel Book Store 1423 Broadway, Oakland 510-452-9232
Mrs. Dalloway's Literary & Garden Arts 2904 College Ave, Oakland 510-704-8222
Diesel, A Book Store 5433 College Ave, Oakland 510-653-9965
Grand Lake Garden Center 4001 Grand Avenue, Oakland 510-652-9143
The Book Tree 6121 La Salle Ave., Oakland 510-339-1298
Alden Lane Nursery 981 Alden Ln, Livermore 925-447-0280
Orchard Nursery 4010 Mt. Diablo Blvd, Lafayette 925-284-4474
Orinda Books 276 Village Square, Orinda 925-254-7606
McDonnell Nursery 196 Moraga Way, Orinda 925-254-3713
The Gardens at Heather Farm 1540 Marchbanks Dr, Walnut Creek 925-947-1539
Cover to Cover Books 1307 Castro St, San Francisco 415-282-8080
Dog Eared Books 900 Valencia St, San Francisco 415-282-1901
Green Apple Books 506 Clement St, San Francisco 650-827-0239
SF Botanical Garden Bookstore 9th Ave at Lincoln Way, San Francisco 415-661-1316, Ext. 308
Seam Studio 600 Illinois St, San Francisco 415-621-9899
Book Passage 51 Tamal Vista Blvd, Corte Madera 415-927-0960
Cooperfield's Books 104 Matheson St, Healdsburg
140 Kentucky St, Petaluma
707-433-9270
707-762-0563
Green Jeans Garden Supply 690 Redwood Hwy, Mill Valley 415-389-8333
Habitat Books 803 Bridgeway, Sausalito 415-331-3344
Harmony Farm Supply & Nursery 3244 Gravenstein Hwy North, Sebastopol 707-823-9125
Point Reyes Books 11315 State Route One, Point Reyes Station 415-663-1542
Readers' Books 130 E. Napa St, Sonoma 707-939-1779
Sloat Garden Center 1580 Lincoln Ave, San Rafael 415-453-3977
Leigh's Favorite Books 121 S. Murphy Ave, Sunnyvale 408-736-2665
Norrie's Gift Shop
UC Santa Cruz Arboretum
1156 High Street, Santa Cruz 831-423-4977
San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden 3450 Dairy Creek Rd, San Luis Obispo 805-541-1400
Santa Barbara Botanical Garden 1212 Mission Canyon Rd, Santa Barbara 805-682-4726
Yamagami's Nursery 1361 S. De Anza Blvd, Cupertino 408-252-3347