Drought-Tolerant Landscaping Ideas

Land Studio C
Photo of a small contemporary drought-tolerant backyard gravel retaining wall landscape in San Francisco.

The client wanted a unique outdoor entertaining area and she loved Heath tile. We bought a pizza oven and then stucco and tiled it to match. The screen is a ParaSoleil panel with a verdigris finish and we framed it with IPE.

Design ideas for a coastal drought-tolerant front yard gravel landscaping in New York.

Photo: © Jude Parkinson-Morgan
Inspiration for a mediterranean drought-tolerant and partial sun backyard concrete paver landscaping in San Francisco.

This is an example of a large contemporary drought-tolerant and full sun backyard gravel garden path in Santa Barbara for spring.

Inspiration for a large contemporary drought-tolerant and full sun front yard stone landscaping in San Francisco.

Close up view of rugged stone slab steps that are fitted gracefully into the stone veneered wall and lead down to the lowest terrace that looks out over the river gorge below. These steps are carfeully integrated with the boulders to give the effect of these being carved right out of the natural bedrock. They look rugged but they are smooth even surfaces, set at an easy, walking cadence so going from the top to the bottom of the whole terrace system is a very easy and comfortable barefoot stroll. Photos Jane Luce

Photo By: Jude Parkinson-Morgan
This is an example of a large transitional drought-tolerant front yard landscaping in San Francisco.

Design ideas for a mid-sized modern drought-tolerant backyard retaining wall landscape in Orange County.

Design Consultant Jeff Doubét is the author of Creating Spanish Style Homes: Before & After – Techniques – Designs – Insights. The 240 page “Design Consultation in a Book” is now available. Please visit SantaBarbaraHomeDesigner.com for more info. Jeff Doubét specializes in Santa Barbara style home and landscape designs. To learn more info about the variety of custom design services I offer, please visit SantaBarbaraHomeDesigner.com Jeff Doubét is the Founder of Santa Barbara Home Design - a design studio based in Santa Barbara, California USA.

Paver driveway, drought tolerant planting, black mulch. Paver color and style selected to compliment paint and roof color.
Inspiration for a mid-sized modern drought-tolerant and full sun front yard concrete paver landscaping in San Francisco.

Inspiration for a mid-sized modern full sun and drought-tolerant front yard concrete paver landscaping in Los Angeles.

Photo of a mid-sized modern drought-tolerant and partial sun front yard gravel retaining wall landscape in Los Angeles.

Design ideas for a mid-sized traditional drought-tolerant and full sun backyard gravel landscaping in Albuquerque.

Another fun Crestview project! This young couple wanted a back yard that reflected their bohemian-eclectic style and could add additional privacy from the ever climbing construction around them. A place for “hanging out and drinking coffee or beer in the backyard.” But what was most exciting, was the air stream they had just purchased and were in the process of restoring. With the end goal of using it as a guest home for family and friends, we were challenged with creating a space that was cohesive and connected this new living space with the rest of the yard. In the front we had another quark to fix. The sidewalk from their front door to the street suddenly stopped 5 feet from the curb, making a less than inviting entry for guests. So, creating a new usable entryway with additional curb appeal was a top priority. We managed the entertainment space by using modern poured concrete pad’s as a focal. A poured concrete wall serves as a bench as well as creates a visual anchor for the patio area. To soften the hard materials, small plantings of succulents and ground cover were planted in the spaces between the pads. For a backdrop, a custom Cedar Plank wall and trellis combined to soften the vertical space and add plenty of privacy. The trellis is anchored by a Coral Vine to add interest. Cafe style lighting was strung across the area create a sense of intimacy. We also completed the fence transition, and eliminated the grass areas that were not being utilized to reduce the amount of water waste in the landscape, and replaced these areas with beneficial plantings for the wildlife. Overall, this landscape was completed with a cohesive Austin-friendly design in mind for these busy young professionals! Caleb Kerr - http://www.calebkerr.com

Photo of a large farmhouse drought-tolerant and partial sun front yard concrete paver garden path in San Francisco.

Tall cedar privacy screens block views to the side yard, and create a backdrop for a blooming front yard perennial garden with Symphyotrichum novae-angliae (Aster).

Jennifer Cheung
Inspiration for a large contemporary full sun and drought-tolerant backyard gravel landscaping in Los Angeles with a fire pit.

Daniel Bosler Photography
This is an example of a large traditional drought-tolerant backyard concrete paver garden path in Los Angeles.