Julia Lee’s transformation of her Cheviot Hills front yard from a traditional lawn to a drought-tolerant garden reflects a broader trend among Southern California residents adapting to persistent drought and wildfire conditions. The project, begun in 2022, replaced the sprawling grass lawn of her 1950 home with a vibrant mix of native and drought-resistant plants, reducing water usage and creating a dynamic landscape that fosters local biodiversity.
The decision came after years of grappling with high water bills and the diminishing relevance of a large lawn as her children grew older. Inspired by another local resident’s embrace of native plants and a naturalistic gardening style, Lee enrolled in a garden design class at the Theodore Payne Foundation for Native Plants but found the technical aspects challenging. Encouraged by her graduate school advisor and author Jamaica Kincaid to design the garden herself, Lee focused first on planting small sages to prevent erosion on her hillside yard, which slopes toward the street.
She utilized local rebate programs such as the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power’s Landscape Efficiency Assistance Program and the Metropolitan Water District’s turf replacement rebate, receiving over $5,000 to offset costs. With assistance from her friend Ben Liou, who had undertaken a similar lawn-to-native-plant conversion, Lee expanded the garden’s plant palette to include species such as California poppies, Arroyo lupine, Desert Bluebells, Palmer’s Penstemon, and California lilac, creating a colorful environment that attracts birds, bees, and butterflies.
Initial setbacks included significant plant loss in the first year due to insufficient watering, particularly because half of the garden is shaded by a large magnolia tree. To address this, Lee installed an irrigation system and constructed a bioswale—a shallow, landscaped channel designed to capture runoff rainwater—further enhancing the garden’s sustainability. While the landscape contrasts with the more conventional lawns typical of the neighborhood, Lee embraced the unique layout, which sections the front yard into diverse planting areas.
Beyond water conservation, Lee’s garden has served as a catalyst for community engagement. Interactions with neighbors impressed by the vibrant landscape have led to plant exchanges and informal social connections, reflecting how home gardening can build neighborhood ties. She recounts receiving succulents and aromatic California sagebrush from neighbors and hopes to expand her garden further with additional native plantings and a water feature for wildlife.
Lee, 49, an English professor at Loyola Marymount University, describes the evolving garden as a “work in progress” that embraces imperfection, mirroring her philosophy toward life. While some legacy plants like jasmine and white roses remain, she continues to phase out less desirable species such as lantana. Her long-term goals include establishing a free seed library to encourage native plant growth in the community and monitoring bluebirds attracted to a nesting box installed on the property.
This project exemplifies the growing movement among Californians to reimagine residential landscapes in response to environmental challenges and shifting lifestyles, balancing ecological stewardship with personal expression. Lee’s experience underscores the practical and social benefits of drought-tolerant gardening while acknowledging the learning curve and persistence required to achieve a thriving, resilient yard.