The Turf Removal Program fits easily into a native meadow concept, ideal for Simi Valley's Welcome Corner landscape renovation. The concept utilizes boulders and pebbles along subtle grading, and mounding and swales, leading into a planted basin for water retention. The objective is to allow percolation into the soil, thus eliminating surface runoff into storm drains.

In addition, the irrigation system has been designed to include a new weather-based irrigation controller, high-efficiency sprinkler heads, and dripline irrigation covered with 3-inches of wood chip mulch. The plantings, once established, are low water use and California Friendly®. These sustainable design philosophies fulfill the intent and requirements of the rebate program. The concept is multifaceted since there are not only program requirements, but also location and climate constraints factoring into this landscape renovation.

Due to the location of this particular site, most people will view this landscape entirely from their vehicles. In order to achieve the design's vision, every plant in this landscape has been thoughtfully considered.

Starting along the sidewalk, in front of the Welcome Sign is a low, grass-like meadow of sedges (Carex pansa and Carex divulsa) coupled with the grey vertical leaves of Flax Lily (Dianella revoluta 'Lil Rev').

Tucked in amongst the meadow planting is a California native called Sundrops (Calylophus berlandieri), giving bright lemon-yellow accents throughout the height of the summer growing season.

Leading the eye to the Welcome Corner Sign are multicolor Gazanias (Gazania rigens) with Purple Statice (Limonium perezii), and an additional planting of yellow Sundrops. In the early spring this same area will be seeded with California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica) for an extra splash of bright orange color lasting from early spring into the summer months.

Behind the signs on the berms is a taller meadow planting of Pine Muhly grasses (Muhlenbergia dubia) and sage (Salvia 'Amistad'). Both plants provide visual interest with the bushy, chartreuse-green leaves and dark purple blooms of the sage plants interspersed with clusters of the tall, slender grasses. These grasses provide graceful, fluid movement when breezes blow through, and their blonde spiky seed heads last from summer into the winter months.