Frequently asked questions

Are you licensed?

While landscape architects and landscape contractors are licensed, we are landscape designers, so we are not licensed. This makes sense - landscape architects design structural features like retaining walls, pergolas and decks, while landscape contractors build these structures, so you want to make sure that they are designed and constructed correctly. As garden designers, we integrate plants and planting designs with any existing or new structures.

You don’t water plants at all?

Our goal is to use little to no water, and in fact some of our installed landscapes require zero water to maintain - absolutely none, except that which falls out of the sky during winter! However, some plants need water to establish their root systems - especially if they’re planted in summer or fall.

So, we prefer not to use the almost disposable plastic irrigation systems that most landscapers install, and instead we can visit your garden to water exactly what needs to be watered, as needed, by those specific plants. Alternatively we can provide a care sheet to you so you can do it yourself - what better way to get to know your new friends!

Occasionally, clients who are outside our usual maintenance area, or who know their own time limitations for watering just need a drip line put in to a few plants. That’s OK - we would rather see healthy, happy plants at the end of the day.

Do you install lawns?

We feel very strongly that traditional turf lawns are not sustainable in the Bay Area. The amount of water, chemicals and labor needed to keep a turf lawn looking good are not worth the cost to our clients or to the environment, so we do not install them in our designs. Similarly, plastic lawns contribute nothing to the earth except waste. We are happy to talk with you about other options that may work for your particular needs, such as those for children and pets.

What about water features?

Our opinion is that major water features are not sustainable or cost effective in the Bay Area, so we do not install them in our designs. However, a water source is extremely important for local wildlife, such as birds and native bees. If this is important to you, we can talk with you about practical ideas for wildlife-friendly water sources in your garden.

Do you maintain gardens?

We offer a maintenance contract on all of the gardens that we design and install. We are happy to maintain gardens that were designed by others, and we are happy to meet with you to determine if our maintenance style is the best one for your garden.

Do you design or build structures, like retaining walls, fences or decks?

Absolutely; we work with our licensed contractor partners to build these as part of our overall landscape design.