Turn to Native Plants and Forget the Fake

Southern California is drought-prone, and looking for ways one can save water is always helpful. However, in “Where the (Fake) Grass Is Greener Still” (Feb. 3), we are presented with a terrible solution to a regional problem. To build our houses and create our lawns, we have uprooted plants that have adapted to Southern California’s environment over thousands of years. These plants are known as California native plants.

Not only are most California natives drought-tolerant, but they can also provide habitat for animals that live in our neighborhoods. Planting a native plant garden reduces our consumption of water, provides beauty and color and just makes sense. Let’s get back to our roots and leave the fake California behind.

Jeff Chapman

Los Angeles

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Fifteen years’ life expectancy -- wow, and where do we take these lawns when they no longer look and feel great (almost like the real thing)? Or will pieces of them start fluttering in the wind, getting into the neighbor’s yard or, God forbid, compost bins -- or break down, similar to the Styrofoam balls all over the bays and oceans? And what about the critters that come and do a taste test, or dog and cat droppings? What do you need to use to scrub your lawn?

Please go see a California natives garden. Mine is so beautiful, with blooms throughout the year -- once to twice a month watering in summer and hardly ever for the rest of the year. Never needs any fertilizer or mowing.

Cathy Lam

Newport Beach