This Burbank drought garden is anything but dull

“The parkway was designed to provide the maximum available color, planted in a fanned out style to form a “V” shape to draw your attention,” David Pixley said.

Drought tolerant ice plant grows in David Pixley’s front yard in Burbank. The succulent, a perennial ground cover, requires little to no water.

A colorful South African gazania.

David Pixley’s front yard garden and parkway in full springtime bloom. Pixley plants the driest plants the furthest from the house and plants that require more shade and water closer to the house. “This makes watering from your rain barrel or other water capture system easier,” Pixley said.

BURBANK CA. MARCH 24, 2016: David Pixley’s front yard garden and parkway at his Burbank home on March 24, 2016. He has been cultivating the drought tolerant garden for years with cuttings from the Huntington and other places. (Glenn Koenig/ Los Angeles Times)

A tropical cordyline makes a surprise appearance in the parking strip.

A tropical bromeliad plant grows in David Pixley’s front yard in Burbank.

A spiky aloe adds to the diverse landscape.

David Pixley and his macaw, Casper, in the front yard of his Burbank home.

Assorted succulents grow in a planter in David Pixley’s front yard.

African Daisies and gazanias add a burst of color to David Pixley’s front yard, which was formerly a lawn.

Cordyline can handle full sun and little water.

Pixley likes to plant contrasting plants that have bold colors and textures such as ice plant. “They are simple to plant, easy to establish,” said Pixley. “They are durable, have low maintenance and most are drought tolerant. I keep the sidewalk and street section clean by cutting back any plants that hang over.”