The Vista Irrigation District board of directors recognized one of its customers for her entry in the district’s WaterSmart Landscape Contest.

The annual contest recognizes outstanding water-wise residential landscapes based on the criteria of overall attractiveness, appropriate plant selection, design, appropriate maintenance, and efficient methods of irrigation.

Deborah Brandt received the “Best in District” award.  Ms. Brandt replaced her water and maintenance intensive lawn with a WaterSmart landscape, which saved both water and money and reduced the amount of time she spent on yard maintenance; she loves the results.  By including contrasting elements, such as cactus, river rock and wood chips, against a backdrop of dramatic magenta, purple and striking orange, Ms. Brandt transformed her yard into a dazzling array of textures and colors. 

Ms. Brandt chose low maintenance plant varieties that grow easily and require little care or trimming, providing her landscape “year round colorful contrast of form, shape and color.”  Plant selection included a variety of agaves, cactus, yuccas and ornamental grasses, such as Pink Muhly and Pony Tail grass, Sea Lavender, Calandrinia Grandiflora, Bird of Paradise and Sticks on Fire (also called Firestick).  Ms. Brandt admitted she has really enjoyed receiving so many compliments on her yard transformation from friends and neighbors.

With a majority of residential water use in San Diego County attributed to watering landscapes, regional water efficiency efforts focus on outdoor water use.  By showcasing their beautiful landscape in the WaterSmart Landscape Contest, district customers provide other homeowners with ideas and incentives to reduce outdoor water use by installing attractive and efficient water-wise landscaping.