California Native Gardens Services
We offer a variety of services aimed at transforming under-utilized and barren outdoor spaces into functional gardens. By understanding the unique characteristics of each of our clients’ homes (including sun exposure, microclimates, irrigation, and aesthetic preferences) we are able to determine the best approach and customized design for each project. Although we will occasionally work with climate appropriate plants or any specifically sentimental plants a client may want, we focus on using California native plants wherever possible. Learn more about California native plants here or here.
During your initial one hour consultation, we will explore:
sun exposure
micro-climates
soil type
irrigation
maintenance needs
considerations for children or pets
budget + timeline
aesthetic preferences
interest in vegetable gardening or fruit trees
Frequently Asked Questions
What are California native plants and gardens?
Every species of plant originated somewhere on earth in a specific region or continent. Some of these plants feel synonymous with their origins, for example, bamboo and Asia or giant redwood trees and California. Unfortunately, California native plants have come to be identified with plants that aren’t actually native to our biologically rich and diverse state. Plants like Bougainvillea, Lavender, Ficus, and most Palm trees are plants commonly used in Southern California that are actually from other parts of the world.
Our work aims to highlight, restore and reintroduce California native plants, plants that spent millions of years specifically evolving here, back into California gardens, where they belong.
Why does it matter if you use California native plants or other plants? As long as it looks good, who cares?
Although people design gardens for their own uses and tastes, gardens play an important role in our ecosystem. This means that gardens are not just for humans. Our houses, cities and streets used to be wild space where animals lived and thrived. When we pave over natural places and replace the region’s plants with those from other parts of the world, we destroy very crucial animal habitat.
The unavailability or extinction of a plant species creates a domino effect, harming wildlife and their food webs. Luckily, we have an opportunity to restore some of that missing ecosystem by just adding certain plants to our homes and gardens.
I have a lot of birds and other critters in my backyard and I don’t have any native plants.
That’s great! Many common animal species that we see today in our gardens have been able to thrive off of non-native plants. You might tend to notice you only see the same 4 or 5 types of bird or insect over and over again. There are many more species we can’t see because they are missing in our cities due to habitat loss.
Fun fact: California native plants can actually be more nutritious in feeding birds, insects and other wildlife because they evolved in conjunction with one another.
Are there other benefits to native plants? I’m not a big animal person.
Yes of course. Native plants, when used correctly, require up to 75% less water than traditional lawns or other super thirsty plants. This helps us reduce water usage and avoid things like drought and freshwater salinization.
California native plants are also beautiful and unique species that can only be found here. Instead of importing plants from around the world, we can embrace our own unique flora.
You can learn more about California native plants here.
