WUCOLS announces database update

The WUCOLS (Water Use Classification of Landscape Species) project was initiated and funded by the Water Use Efficiency Office of the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) to help people create a landscape plan based on plant water use within their city/region, according to the California Center for Urban Horticulture website.

Several updates were made to the WUCOLS database. “WUCOLS IV provides evaluations of the irrigation water needs for over 3,500 taxa (taxonomic plant groups) used in California landscapes,” according to the California Center for Urban Horticulture website. “It is based on the observations and extensive field experience of 36 landscape horticulturists, and it provides guidance in the selection and care of landscape plants relative to their water needs.”

The updates include:

• New search page design
• Improved search process that is faster and updates any search parameter changes instantaneously
• Interactive Google map to find city of interest
• Hi-resolution photos and cultural information for approximately 1,200 low and very low water use taxa, hi-resolution photos are downloadable for use
• Interactive database allowing people to create a “Favorite” plant list and can download, export and save to Excel
• People can create WUCOLS information (bench) cards of their “Favorite” plants, downloadable in two size formats
• QR codes can be generated and printed for people’s “Favorite” plants

“Water conservation is an essential consideration in the design and management of California landscapes,” according to the California Center for Urban Horticulture website. “Effective strategies that increase water use efficiency must be identified and implemented. One key strategy when landscaping is to group plants with similar water requirements. By supplying only the amount of water needed to maintain landscape health and appearance, unnecessary applications that exceed plant needs can be avoided. Doing so, however, requires some knowledge of plant water needs. The WUCOLS searchable database allows you to create your “favorite” plant list by water needs (very low, low, moderate and high) for your climatic region.”

Click here to visit the WUCOLS database and to read step-by-step instructions on how to use it.