We talked to landscape architects who work their magic in southern California?s dry climes Even in our succulent-obsessed times, many people feel intimidated by and unsure about the idea of drought-resistant landscaping. For some, the notion of drought-tolerant landscape still conjures a drab vision of plain gravel with a few sparse plants. But with the growing trend in artful and verdant low-water landscaping, not to mention municipal incentives for reducing water use, drought-resilient gardening makes great aesthetic and economic sense.

We?ve interviewed some top landscape architects in southern California on the key steps to create a garden that looks beautiful?and even lush?while remaining environmentally sustainable.

Location: where is your garden" Before you get started with the process of designing a garden, it?s crucial to understand the conditions of the land where you are going to plant. First, figuring out what ?plant zone? you are in will help you find out what plants will do well in your garden.

Other important local factors include your soil?s mineral content, how much shade or slope there is, and whether the drainage is adequate. ?The first thing for any project is to take a look and understand what the specific site conditions are,? says Judy Kameon, who founded the Los Angeles-based design firm Elysian Landscapes. ?Is it sunny, is it shady, is it coastal, is it inland" Is it flat or is it hillside" Understand what the conditions are...