A beautiful collection of low water plant combinations that include Stachy's "Big Ears", Purple Tapien Verbena, Verbena rigida, Bulbine Frutescens 'Hallmark' Orange Form and a purple Penstemon.

Naturalistic kid play space.
Inspiration for a mid-sized mediterranean drought-tolerant and full sun backyard gravel outdoor playset in San Diego.

Photo of a mid-sized modern drought-tolerant and partial sun backyard retaining wall landscape in Orange County.

You can read more about the project through this Houzz Feature link: https://www.houzz.com/magazine/hillside-yard-offers-scenic-views-and-space-for-contemplation-stsetivw-vs~131483772

This drought tolerant front yard was a great addition to this property. There are decomposed granite paths, CA native / CA friendly plans, a dry creek bed and a bridge that leads to the secret garden.

When I came to this property not only was the landscape a scrappy mess the property also had some very real grading and drainage issues that were jeopardizing the safety of this house. As recent transplants from New Jerseys to Southern California these clients were in awe of all the plants they were seeing in their neighborhood. Living on the water at the Ventura harbor they wanted to be able to take full advantage or the outdoor lifestyle and cool ocean breeze. Being environmentally conscious citizens, these clients were very concerned that their garden was designed with sustainability as a leading factor. As they said in our initial consultation, “Would want or garden be part of the solution not part of the problem.” This property is the last house on the bottom of a gently sloping street. All the water from the neighbor’s houses drain onto this property. When I came into this project the back yard sloped into the house. When it would rain the water would pool up against the house causing water damage. To address the drainage we employed several tactics. Firstly, we had to invert the slope in the back yard so that water would not pool against the house. We created a very minor slope going away from the house so that water drains away but so the patio area feels flat. The back of the back yard had an existing retaining wall made out of shabby looking slump stone. In front of that retaining wall we created a beautiful natural stone retaining wall. This retain wall severs many purposes. One it works as a place to put some of the soil removed from the grading giving this project a smaller carbon foot print (moving soil of a site burns a lot of fossil fuel). The retaining wall also helps obscure the shabby existing retaining wall and allows for planting space above the footing from the existing retaining wall. The soil behind the ne retaining wall is slightly lower than the top of the wall so that when the run on water on from the neighbor’s property flows it is slowed down and absorbed before it has a chance to get near the house. Finally, the wall is at a height designed to serve as overflow seating as these clients intend to have occasional large parties and gatherings. Other efforts made to help keep the house safe and dry are that we used permeable paving. With the hardscape being comprised of flag stone with gravel in-between water has a chance to soak into the ground so it does not flow into spots where it will pool up. The final element to help keep the house dry is the addition of infiltration swales. Infiltration swales are depressions in the landscape that capture rain water. The down spouts on the sides of the houses are connected to pipe that goes under the ground and conveys the water to the swales. In this project it helps move rain water away from the house. In general, these Infiltration swales are a powerful element in creating sustainable landscapes. These swales capture pollutants that accumulate on the roof and in the landscape. Biology in the soil in the swales can break down these pollutants. When run of watered is not captured by soil on a property the dirty water flows into water ways and then the ocean were the biology that breaks down the pollutants is not as prolific. This is particularly important in this project as it drains directly into the harbor. The water that is absorbed in to the swales can replenish aquafers as well as increasing the water available to the plants planted in that area recusing the amount of water that is needed from irrigation. When it came to the planting we went with a California friendly tropical theme. Using lots of succulents and plants with colorful foliage we created vibrant lush landscape that will have year around color. We planted densely (the images in the picture were taken only a month after installation). Taller drought tolerant plants to help regulate the temperature and loss of water from the plants below them. The dense plantings will help keep the garden, the house and even the neighborhood cooler on hot days, will provide spaces for birds to enjoy and will create an illusion of depth in a somewhat narrow space. Today this garden is a space these homeowners can fully enjoy while having the peace of mind that their house is protected from flooding and they are helping the environment.

Innis Casey Photography
Photo of a mid-sized modern drought-tolerant backyard gravel landscaping in Los Angeles.

Design ideas for a southwestern drought-tolerant and partial sun backyard retaining wall landscape in San Diego.

Inspiration for a contemporary drought-tolerant front yard concrete paver garden path in San Diego.

Stunning modern entry that complements the architecture.
Design ideas for a large contemporary drought-tolerant and partial sun front yard wood fence landscaping in Orange County for summer.

Established California native greenery fills the back garden. Native, edible White Sage, Manzanita, and Catalina Cherry wrap a more traditional edible garden. The charming wooden shed offers convenient storage for outdoor furniture cushions and tools . The ability to store these items lessens the dry fuel available near the home. Placing this wooden structure at a distance from the home is also protective. Photo: Lesly Hall Photography

ForeverLawn synthetic grass between marble tile pavers creates a contemporary pool deck.
This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary drought-tolerant and full sun backyard stone landscaping in Raleigh with a fireplace.

These are some of our design and build landscapes with sustainable, eco-friendly design practices in mind. Many of these were Cash for Grass rebate customers or Waterwise Conversion programs where money was awarded through local water districts and agencies.

The stones steps are local stone placed in such a way to make the climb and descent comfortable to traverse. Often natural stone steps have varying sized risers and treads that make their use difficult. We strive to make it not only beautiful but functional.

Design ideas for a mid-century modern drought-tolerant front yard river rock retaining wall landscape in San Francisco.

Beach side patio with meandering river rock path lined with flowering thyme, sedum, ornamental grasses. Located on the shores of Puget Sound in Washington State.

Decomposed Granite path between Giant Sequoias leads to repurposed, reshaped and stained rear concrete slab. Micro-climate appropriate plants complete the picture. Photo by Ketti Kupper.

This full-property transformation in Phoenix’s Arcadia neighborhood blends timeless structure with refined modernism across both the front and rear yards. In front, a bold axial walkway, sculptural plantings, and breeze block walls introduce rhythm and identity while honoring the home’s mid-century roots. Out back, clean geometry and a restrained palette organize the space into distinct outdoor rooms—framed by pergolas, a custom firepit lounge, and a sleek linear pool. Plantings, paving, and vertical elements repeat with the intention to create a unified, elegant feel. Balancing contrast and control, this design delivers a sense of quiet luxury, where architecture, landscape, and everyday living flow seamlessly together

Boulders and contoured ground with and a riot of California native and climate appropriate drought tolerant plants mimic nature.
This is an example of a small eclectic drought-tolerant, rock and full sun front yard stone and stone fence landscaping in Los Angeles for spring.