Question
I have a 6' long by 2' wide area that gets all day sun in the Gold Country in CA. Can you recommend some plants that will do well in this area? Since this area is in my front yard I need plants that will still look good in winter.

Answer
Hi Diana,
Thanx for your question.  I recommend looking at High Country Gardens   http://www.highcountrygardens.com/  There are lots of ideas in their catalogue for plants that are good for the Western US and are good for xeriscaping/low water requirements.

YOu can also use flowering cacti of which there are many, many varieties that would be suitable for your climate such as echinocereus and opuntia just to get your started.  Opuntia can get out of hand if you allow it so, keep it under control by lopping off new pads after the plant has reached the desired size.  Sages are great not only for foliage but colorful flowers, lantana, aloes, ice plants, torch lily, agastache, mints (mints can get out of control.  you can control them by isolating them in a container and then sinking the container in the desired areas.).  


Check out Sonoma County Master Gardners.  They have some great information on native California plants.


http://ucanr.edu/sites/scmg/Sonoma_Gardener_Articles/Natives_Now/

Here's another link for local references you may want to review.

http://cecentralsierra.ucanr.edu/Master_Gardeners/Favorite_Gardening_Resources/

You have a great climate and you can use the large variety of plants that don't have heavy water requirements.  

Let me know if you need any other information.  I hope this helps.
Tom