In some areas of the country, it is difficult to find a list of drought tolerant plants for the region. Can a Michael Dirr manual be used as a 3rd party reference to verify drought tolerant plants?
"If a local or regional reference is unavailable to verify drought tolerant plants, a resource that is not specific to the region (e.g., a Michael Dirr manual) may be used, on the following conditions:
• The resource takes into account regional or climatic differences;
• It is a 3rd party resource. For example, the author of the resource cannot be part of the project team.
• The Accountability Form for SS 2.4 is signed by a qualified landscape professional: someone with certification, licensure, formal training (higher education), or at least 10 years of professional experience"
Updated 10/1/13 for rating system applicability.