If you’re a homeowner anywhere along the San Francisco Peninsula, you’ve probably wondered whether switching to a xeric, drought-tolerant landscape is really worth it. The short answer: yes—and the savings are significant.

Without fail, new clients are mystified by the cost of a new garden. We provide budget brackets so you can get a sense for what’s normal, but the reality is that there are so many variables involved in landscape design that it’s almost impossible to give one figure to your client.