When you rip out the lawn you make room for a lush, drought-tolerant paradise

Homeowner Andrew Russell worked closely together with landscape designer Shayne Naudi. She designed the space as a comfortable oasis for the homeowners and as a habitat for birds and butterflies.

Russell’s garden was started even early by his late wife, Kathy, who studied native plants before the transformation began.

White ceanothus snow flurry adds shade inside the enclosed small front yard.

Dudleya cymosa, a kind of succulent, adds inviting detail.

Verbena lilacina ‘De La Mina’ spills out of a pot -- and adds color.

Soft Santa Barbara daisies bloom in the cottage-like garden.

A drought-tolerant blue ceanothus anchors one corner of the front yard.   (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

An espaliered Ceanothus casts a shadow on a wall and gives the garden a more formal look.   (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

The parking strip is especially dramatic thanks to Santa Barbara daisies, grasses, poppies, lush silver-toned David’s Choice ground cover and a blue Palo Verde tree that gives the house a physical break from the busy street.   (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

Galvezia speciosa commonly known as showy island snapdragon, is known for attracting hummingbirds.   (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

Dendromecon harfordii, or Channel Island tree poppy, generally blooms April through July.  (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

Native creeping red fescue spills onto the walkway from the parking strip.  (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

Low water Santa Barbara daisies bloom throughout the garden and attract bees.   (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

California poppies, the official state flower of California, begin to bloom in the parking strip.   (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

Canyon Prince grasses can grow 2 to 3 feet tall or larger, if given water.  (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

Vitis californica, the California wild grape, grows on an arbor. Grapes will begin to ripen in the fall.   (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

Native plants, crushed gravel and recycled concrete in the parking strip of Russell’s garden.  (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)