Low Water Gardens California . It grows 1 foot to 2 feet tall and 3 to 4 feet wide. 2 feather reed grass ( calamagrostis × acutiflora 'karl foerster'): California native garden, California native plants, Xeriscape front yard from www.pinterest.com Wait and see what dies. Smart use of rocks can transform your plain garden into a beautiful oasis. Japanese maples and dogwoods provide softness, shade, and color.