With water rationing on the horizon, gardening decisions are more crucial than ever. Thai Pham, owner of Green Design Indoor + Outdoor on The Alameda in San Jose, incorporates water conservation into his landscape and garden designs. Here are some tips from him on how to have a nice garden in the midst of a drought:

Drip, drip, drip. Use a drip irrigation system so water goes directly to plants and isn't wasted. Pham likes ETwater that uses technology to automate drip irrigation based on current weather conditions and specific plant needs, taking into consideration soil type, slope and sun or shade conditions.

Carefree plants. Low-maintenance plants are also the most drought resistant, Pham says. He warns that all plants require water their first two years to get established, but then watering can be drastically reduced and sometimes eliminated.

Select succulents. They require less water but look good year-round. Pham likes agave, echeveria and euphorbia. The right plant in the right place will save you a fortune.

Rock on. Incorporate rocks into your garden. A dry riverbed in rocks with small berms to the side with plants and a drip irrigation system will look natural and good with minimal watering.

Be Zen-like.

Consider a Zen raking garden of gravel.

Go natural.

Use boulders, driftwood and other natural elements to add drama and interest to your garden in place of plants.