We have a small area in our backyard that we'd like to grow something. We are debating between using groundcover and being done with out or going a little more involved - say vegetable plants or something. We are in Southern California (in the hottest part) and it gets pretty dry here. We don't want to waste a lot of water - the stats has a water shortage and we don't want to contribute to the problem. Any good ideas??

You could create some shade for yourself while perking up one area with climbing plants on a pergola. There are many climbers such as trumpet vines, producing a lovely orange flower, or bouganvillea, Japanese wisteria is another one while having to wait a couple of years for it bear flowers. All of these climbers thrive in a climate such as yours. Area can also be dressed up with some lovely slate tiles, coloured river rock to accent the area. After creating a shady haven, you could use potted flowers in the semi shade to brighten the area up event more.

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