Our Landscape Design Services
We provide complete landscape design and installation services — from the initial concept through final planting and irrigation setup. Our designs prioritize beauty, water efficiency, and long-term ease of maintenance. Here's what we offer:
Custom plant palettes selected for San Diego's specific microclimate zones, soil types, and water requirements.
Complete xeriscape transformations including soil amendment, mulch, efficient irrigation, and water-wise plant installation.
Gardens designed exclusively with California native species — supporting local wildlife, pollinators, and requiring almost no supplemental water once established.
Premium synthetic turf installed with proper aggregate base, drainage, and infill for a natural look and feel that lasts 15–20 years.
Professionally designed and installed drip irrigation with smart controllers — delivering water precisely where plants need it, when they need it.
Erosion-control planting for hillside lots — combining deep-rooted natives with groundcovers that stabilize soil and reduce fire hazard.
DG pathways and patio surfaces — a permeable, natural-looking alternative to concrete that complements drought-tolerant gardens beautifully.
Shredded wood mulch, gorilla hair mulch, and rock mulch installation — suppresses weeds, retains soil moisture, and insulates plant roots.
Decorative and structural boulder placement that anchors slopes, creates visual interest, and defines garden zones.
Why Drought-Tolerant Landscaping Makes Sense in San Diego
San Diego is no longer just "water-conscious" — we're in a region of genuine water scarcity. Here's why the shift to drought-tolerant landscaping isn't just a trend, it's a smart long-term investment:
💸 San Diego Has Some of the Highest Water Rates in the US
San Diego residential water rates consistently rank among the highest in the country. A traditional grass lawn can consume 50–60 gallons of water per square foot per year. On a typical 1,500 sq ft lawn, that's 75,000–90,000 gallons annually — costing $400–$600+ per year in water alone. Drought-tolerant landscaping can cut outdoor water use by 50–75%, saving hundreds of dollars each year.
📋 Mandatory Water Restrictions
San Diego and surrounding water agencies impose mandatory watering restrictions during drought conditions, limiting outdoor irrigation to certain days and times. Drought-tolerant landscapes are designed to thrive on these restricted schedules — or with no supplemental irrigation at all once established (for true California natives).
💰 Turf Removal Rebates Offset Your Cost
The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWDSD) offers a $2 per square foot rebate for removing traditional grass and replacing it with water-efficient landscaping. On a 500 sq ft lawn, that's a $1,000 rebate. Some local water agencies (San Diego Water, Padre Dam, Helix Water) offer additional rebates on top. We help you apply.
🌡️ Our Climate Supports Incredible Plant Diversity
San Diego's Mediterranean climate — similar to the coastal regions of South Africa, Australia, Chile, and the Mediterranean basin — supports an extraordinary range of beautiful, drought-adapted plants. Our landscapes are far from sparse desert scenes. They're lush, colorful, and full of year-round interest, just without the water bills.
Drought-Tolerant Plants for San Diego Backyards
These are among our most-used and most-loved plants for San Diego drought-tolerant landscapes. Each is proven in our climate, visually striking, and easy to maintain once established.
Agave
Structural, architectural succulents that make a bold statement. Agaves are extraordinarily drought-tolerant once established and available in dozens of species from compact tabletop sizes to 6-foot giants. No watering needed after the first year.
Lavender
One of the most beloved Mediterranean plants — fragrant, bee-attracting, and beautiful. Spanish and French lavender varieties perform especially well in San Diego's climate, blooming spring through fall. Excellent along pathways and borders.
California Poppies
San Diego's state flower. These cheerful orange poppies self-seed prolifically and naturalize beautifully in garden beds. They go dormant in summer heat and re-emerge in fall with winter rains. Zero supplemental water needed.
Bougainvillea
San Diego's quintessential flowering vine/shrub — those brilliant magenta, orange, red, or white papery bracts are iconic in our region. Highly drought-tolerant once established. Excellent for fences, walls, trellises, and as a striking accent.
Salvia (Sage)
The Salvia genus offers hundreds of species perfect for San Diego, from native Black Sage to showy Mexican Bush Sage. They're extraordinary pollinator plants, attracting hummingbirds and bees. Most are drought-tolerant once established and bloom for months.
Rosemary
A dual-purpose plant — beautiful in the landscape and useful in the kitchen. Rosemary thrives in San Diego's heat and drought conditions, making it one of the most practical drought-tolerant shrubs available. Works great as a low hedge or cascading over walls.
Aloe
Aloe varieties — especially Aloe vera and Aloe arborescens — are among the most forgiving succulents for San Diego gardens. They produce striking orange or red flower spikes in winter when little else is blooming, providing critical nectar for hummingbirds. Very low maintenance.
Lantana
A tough, flowering perennial shrub that blooms nearly year-round in San Diego. Lantana produces clusters of tiny flowers in yellow, orange, red, pink, white, or purple — often mixed on the same plant. Extremely heat and drought tolerant. Loved by butterflies.
Penstemon
Native penstemons are outstanding San Diego plants with tubular flowers loved by hummingbirds. Cleveland Penstemon and Foothill Penstemon both naturalize well in San Diego County soils and are excellent candidates for native plant gardens and slope stabilization.
Bird of Paradise
Strelitzia reginae — the classic bird of paradise with its orange and blue flowers — is a San Diego staple. It's drought-tolerant, deer-resistant, and provides a tropical look year-round. Plant in a sunny spot with well-draining soil and enjoy blooms from fall through spring.
Manzanita
One of California's most iconic native shrubs, manzanita offers year-round interest — smooth reddish bark in winter, white or pink bell-shaped flowers in late winter, and attractive foliage year-round. Various species range from low groundcovers to tall shrubs, all extremely drought-tolerant.
Deer Grass
Muhlenbergia rigens — deer grass is San Diego's premier native ornamental grass. It forms graceful arching clumps with tall silvery seed stalks in fall. Extremely drought-tolerant, deer-resistant, and low maintenance. Perfect for naturalistic gardens, slope stabilization, and roadway buffers.
Artificial Turf Installation in San Diego
Artificial turf has come a long way from the coarse, plastic-looking carpets of the past. Today's premium synthetic turf products are soft, realistic, and durable — and they're becoming one of the most popular landscape solutions in water-conscious San Diego.
Benefits of Artificial Turf in San Diego
- Zero watering required: Eliminate lawn irrigation entirely, potentially saving thousands of dollars in water costs over the life of the turf.
- Always green, always perfect: No brown patches, no dormancy during dry spells, no yellowing from drought restrictions. Your lawn looks great year-round.
- Pet-friendly: High-quality turf with antimicrobial infill handles pet use well. We use drainage-efficient backings that allow liquids to pass through.
- HOA-approved in many communities: Many San Diego HOAs have updated their rules to allow artificial turf given the water situation. We can advise on HOA compliance.
- Low maintenance: Occasional rinsing and brushing to keep fibers upright is all that's needed. No mowing, no fertilizing, no reseeding.
- 15–20 year lifespan: Quality turf installed with proper base preparation will last 15–20 years before needing replacement.
Our Artificial Turf Installation Process
- Existing Grass & Weed Removal: We remove existing turf, roots, and vegetation completely and haul it away.
- Grade & Excavation: We excavate 3–4 inches to create proper depth for the base system and ensure surface drainage away from structures.
- Base Compaction: We install crushed aggregate base (Class II road base) and compact it to create a firm, level foundation — critical for long-term performance.
- Weed Barrier: A commercial-grade weed barrier fabric is installed over the compacted base to prevent future weed penetration.
- Turf Installation: Synthetic turf rolls are cut, seamed, and secured with nails and adhesive at edges and seams.
- Infill Application: Crumb rubber, sand, or zeolite infill is applied to weight the turf, support the fibers, and in the case of zeolite, control pet odors.
- Final Grooming: The turf is power-brushed to lift fibers into a natural upright position.
MWDSD Turf Removal Rebate — Save $2 Per Square Foot
Get Paid to Remove Your Lawn
The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD) offers a $2 per square foot rebate for removing traditional grass lawns and replacing them with approved water-efficient landscaping (including drought-tolerant plants and artificial turf).
On a typical 500 sq ft lawn: that's a $1,000 rebate check in your mailbox. Some local San Diego-area water agencies (Helix Water District, Padre Dam, Rincon del Diablo) offer additional rebates on top of MWD's program, potentially reaching $3–$4 per square foot.
We help every applicable customer navigate the rebate application process — from pre-approval photography to final documentation. Don't leave money on the table.
Landscape Design Cost in San Diego
Here's a realistic cost guide for the landscape services we provide in San Diego. All prices include design, materials, labor, and site cleanup.
| Service | Per Sq Ft | Example Project Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Drought-Tolerant Planting (installed) | $8–$20 | $4,000–$10,000 (500 sqft) |
| Artificial Turf (installed) | $15–$25 | $7,500–$12,500 (500 sqft) |
| Drip Irrigation System | $3–$8 | $1,500–$4,000 (500 sqft yard) |
| Decomposed Granite Pathways | $4–$10 | $600–$1,500 (150 sqft path) |
| Mulch Installation (3-inch depth) | $1.50–$3 | $750–$1,500 (500 sqft) |
| Full Backyard Transformation | $10,000–$35,000+ (design, demo, irrigation, plants, turf, hardscape) | |
Projects involving slope stabilization, large boulder placement, or grading will affect pricing. Turf removal rebates (up to $2/sqft) can substantially offset your investment. Request a free estimate for your specific project.
Our Landscape Design & Installation Process
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Free On-Site Consultation
We walk your property with you, assess sun exposure, soil conditions, existing drainage, and any slope concerns. We discuss your aesthetic preferences, budget, and water goals.
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Landscape Design Plan
We prepare a layout drawing showing plant placement, irrigation zones, hardscape elements, and material selections. We walk you through the plan and refine it based on your feedback.
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Detailed Written Proposal
You receive a line-item quote covering all elements — demolition, soil preparation, irrigation, plants, turf, and mulch — with no hidden costs.
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Rebate Pre-Approval (if applicable)
For turf removal projects, we help you complete the MWD rebate pre-approval application before we begin work. This documents the existing turf for rebate eligibility.
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Installation (3–7 Days)
Our crew handles all demo, grading, irrigation installation, planting, turf installation, and mulching. Your property is left clean and beautiful.
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Irrigation Programming & Plant Care Walkthrough
We program your smart irrigation controller, walk you through a watering schedule, and provide care instructions for your new plants. We're available for questions after installation.
Frequently Asked Questions — Landscape Design in San Diego
What is xeriscape landscaping?
Xeriscape is a landscaping philosophy that minimizes water use through plant selection, efficient irrigation, and soil improvement. The term comes from the Greek word "xeros" (dry) combined with landscape. In San Diego, a well-designed xeriscape can reduce outdoor water use by 50–75% compared to traditional grass lawns, while still creating a beautiful, lush-looking garden full of color and year-round interest. A xeriscape is not a cactus-and-gravel moonscape — it's a thoughtful, designed garden built around water efficiency.
How much does drought-tolerant landscaping cost in San Diego?
Drought-tolerant landscaping typically costs $8–$20 per square foot installed, depending on plant selection, soil preparation, and irrigation. A 500 sq ft backyard garden typically runs $4,000–$10,000. This is often offset significantly by MWD turf removal rebates ($2/sqft) and by long-term water savings — many customers recover the project cost within 5–7 years through reduced water bills alone.
Is artificial turf a good idea in San Diego?
Yes — artificial turf is an excellent option for many San Diego yards. It's particularly well-suited for kids' play areas, side yards, dog runs, and slopes that are difficult to maintain. Modern artificial turf looks very natural — especially high-quality products with multi-toned fibers and realistic textures. It lasts 15–20 years and eliminates lawn watering entirely. We install turf with proper base compaction and drainage backing to ensure performance over its full lifespan.
How long does landscape installation take?
A typical backyard landscape installation takes 3–7 business days. Smaller planting and mulch projects may be done in 1–2 days. Projects that include grading, irrigation system installation, large boulder placement, or extensive turf removal take longer. We provide a project-specific timeline in your written estimate so you know exactly what to expect.
What rebates are available for turf removal in San Diego?
The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD) currently offers a $2 per square foot rebate for removing existing grass and replacing it with approved water-efficient landscaping. Some local water agencies in San Diego County offer additional rebates on top of MWD's program. Rebate availability and amounts change periodically — we check current rates at the time of your project and help you complete the pre-approval and post-installation documentation to claim every dollar you're entitled to.
Do California native plants need supplemental watering?
During the establishment period (typically the first 1–2 years), California native plants benefit from supplemental irrigation — especially through the dry summer months. Once established, most true California natives can survive on rainfall alone in San Diego's climate, though a minimal drip irrigation system during prolonged dry spells improves performance and reduces plant loss. We design our native plant gardens with establishment irrigation in mind, and we'll walk you through how to reduce watering over time.