A thirst to learn of drought-defying gardens

THANK YOU for your thoughtful and insightful article and accompanying photos of the Sarkissian garden in Modjeska [“Beauty and the Drought,” July 10]. You’ve made me appreciate my gardening friends and their efforts.

You’ve brought the plants and irrigation and history of the garden to life.

Linda MissouriHuntington Beach

ALTHOUGH I’M glad you are championing the use of California natives, I didn’t find “Beauty and the Drought” at all inspiring. It showcases yet another garden not at all relevant to the average homeowner in the San Fernando Valley. How many Valleyites have an acre of “rural, riparian landscape”?

The article may convince some people that natives can be grown only in wild, undeveloped spaces. Why don’t you come down to earth and show us the efforts of a single Valley family to convert their typical water-unwise lawn and other plantings to California natives? Real people, real gardens.

Chuck Petithomme

Burbank

WARNING! A few years ago, a Los Angeles Times photo made me fall in love with the Matilija poppy. Nowhere in that article, nor in the one July 10, did anyone mention that like many love affairs, there are pitfalls.

The Matilija poppy spreads long distances underground. You will be digging it out of your rose beds or vegetable gardens for the rest of your life. I still love it, and it’s true it needs no watering at all, but one needs to be alert.

Alexa Maxwell

Los Angeles