Native and Drought-Tolerant Plantings for Bay Area Estates
Luxury landscaping that thrives with less water designed for beauty, longevity, and ecological intelligence.
Bring Lasting Beauty to Your Estate with Climate-Conscious Design
We specialize in designing and installing high-end native and drought-tolerant landscapes for discerning Bay Area homeowners. Our clients want more than just water savings—they want thriving gardens that complement their architecture, echo the local ecology, and require less maintenance over time.
From sun-soaked hillsides in Los Altos to shaded groves in Atherton, we create landscapes that reflect the natural elegance of California while elevating your estate with refined structure, curated plant palettes, and seamless integration with irrigation and hardscape systems.
Why Choose Native and Drought-Tolerant Landscaping?
Timeless Aesthetic
Native garden isn’t wild and unruly when designed by experts it’s structured, intentional, and stunning. We select plants not only for water efficiency, but also for visual impact throughout the seasons: structural evergreens, soft ornamental grasses, bold bloomers like Penstemon or Salvias, and sculptural forms like manzanita or ceanothus. Whether you’re after a formal Mediterranean layout or a flowing California woodland feel, our planting plans are designed to support your estate’s style.
Built for Bay Area Microclimates
No two properties are alike—and we don’t treat them that way. We assess your estate’s sun exposure, wind patterns, slope, soil composition, and surrounding ecology before making any plant selections. That’s how we achieve successful establishment and long-term beauty in zones as diverse as coastal Woodside and the arid pockets of Saratoga.
Lower Water Bills, Higher Impact
Native and drought-tolerant species are not only adapted to thrive with less water—they flourish once established with smart irrigation systems. Petrus Landscape integrates efficient drip systems to dramatically reduce water usage without compromising on lushness or color.
Native Plants
These plants have adapted to local conditions over centuries and require minimal maintenance. They support local wildlife and pollinators, creating a more biodiverse ecosystem. Native plants also have a timeless beauty that blends naturally into California landscapes.
Drought-Tolerant Species
Perfect for California’s dry climate, these species provide beauty without demanding water. Plants like lavender, salvia, and agave thrive in dry soil and still offer stunning foliage and blooms. Their resilience makes them ideal for sustainable gardens.
Ornamental Grasses
These low-maintenance plants add motion, texture, and architectural interest. Grasses like blue fescue or feather reed grass can soften hard edges and complement flowering plants. They work well in modern, rustic, or naturalistic designs.
Flowering Perennials
These provide lasting color and attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. Perennials return year after year, creating a reliable display of blooms. Choices like echinacea or coreopsis can be mixed for a vibrant garden experience.
Evergreen Shrubs
These foundational plants offer year-round structure and screening. Shrubs like boxwood, viburnum, or pittosporum maintain their leaves in winter and are easily shaped for formal or informal designs. They add depth and continuity to the landscape.
Native Planting as a Luxury Design Feature
Too often, “drought-tolerant” is treated like a compromise. Our clients know better—it’s a premium strategy. Done right, these landscapes create mood and movement. Textural foliage, muted palettes with seasonal pops of color, and native wildlife attractors transform your outdoor spaces into a sensory haven.
We also design with maintenance in mind. Proper spacing, mulch integration, and species groupings reduce weeding, pruning, and replacements. The result: a self-sustaining garden that looks polished year-round without constant intervention.
Our Process – From Concept to Cultivation
Sustainable, Smart, and Stunning—That’s the Petrus Standard
With over a decade of experience in Bay Area high-end landscaping, we’ve seen what thrives—and what fails. Our plantings succeed because they’re rooted in the local climate, backed by soil science, and brought to life by top-tier landscape designers.
We’ve installed native and drought-tolerant gardens at properties ranging from sprawling estates to city-edge villas. These landscapes offer privacy, structure, color, and performance without the high water bills or constant maintenance of traditional lawns or thirsty exotics.
Whether you want a native garden in Portola Valley, a sustainable replanting in Los Altos, or a full estate refresh with premium lawn alternatives, we delivers with integrity and artistry.
Why Garden Beds Are Essential in Luxury Landscape Design
Why Choose Petrus Landscape for Garden Bed Installation?
Our seasoned landscape designers in the Bay Area know how to layer plantings that mature gracefully over time
Beds are edged in premium stone, steel, or hardwoods—never plastic. We work with your estate’s architectural features to unify design.
We install with smart irrigation, healthy soil structure, and climate-appropriate species for beauty that lasts.
Organic compost, low-water plants, and pollinator habitat integration for a smarter yard.
Native Plants
These plants have adapted to local conditions over centuries and require minimal maintenance. They support local wildlife and pollinators, creating a more biodiverse ecosystem. Native plants also have a timeless beauty that blends naturally into California landscapes.
Drought-Tolerant Species
Perfect for California’s dry climate, these species provide beauty without demanding water. Plants like lavender, salvia, and agave thrive in dry soil and still offer stunning foliage and blooms. Their resilience makes them ideal for sustainable gardens.
Ornamental Grasses
These low-maintenance plants add motion, texture, and architectural interest. Grasses like blue fescue or feather reed grass can soften hard edges and complement flowering plants. They work well in modern, rustic, or naturalistic designs.
Flowering Perennials
These provide lasting color and attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. Perennials return year after year, creating a reliable display of blooms. Choices like echinacea or coreopsis can be mixed for a vibrant garden experience.
Evergreen Shrubs
These foundational plants offer year-round structure and screening. Shrubs like boxwood, viburnum, or pittosporum maintain their leaves in winter and are easily shaped for formal or informal designs. They add depth and continuity to the landscape.
Plant Installation Services
Beyond selection, our team ensures each plant is installed correctly to promote healthy growth.
Soil Preparation
We enrich soil with compost and nutrients to boost plant health and root development.
Proper Planting Techniques
We follow spacing, depth, and light requirements to ensure lasting success.
Mulching
Helps retain moisture, regulate temperature, and reduce weeds. Gives a clean, finished look.
Staking and Support
We provide discreet supports for young or tall plants to protect against damage.
Initial Watering and Fertilization
We water thoroughly and may apply a gentle fertilizer to support early growth.
Soil Preparation
We enrich soil with compost and nutrients to boost plant health and root development.
Proper Planting Techniques
We follow spacing, depth, and light requirements to ensure lasting success.
Mulching
Helps retain moisture, regulate temperature, and reduce weeds. Gives a clean, finished look.
Staking and Support
We provide discreet supports for young or tall plants to protect against damage.
Initial Watering and Fertilization
We water thoroughly and may apply a gentle fertilizer to support early growth.
Enhance Your Landscape with These Related Services
Elevate your outdoor living with hardscape elements. We specialize in crafting beautiful patios, walkways, retaining walls, and outdoor kitchens that seamlessly blend with the natural surroundings.
Enjoy a lush and well-maintained garden without the hassle. Our garden maintenance services cover everything from pruning, weeding, and fertilizing to seasonal planting, ensuring your garden thrives year-round.
Our sustainable landscaping services harmoniously blend natural beauty with eco-conscious practices.
Our Luxury Landscape Design Bay Area Projects
See how we’ve transformed some of the Bay Area’s most exclusive estates.
Taj Palace
Bimmerle
Vista Verde
Fern Hill
Horseshoe
Cowell
Stillwater
Tuscaloosa
Testimonials
Hear what our distinguished clients have to say about their experience with Petrus Landscaping
Excellent services provided by Ward and his team! They are skilled in their craft and dedicated to providing immaculate service!
Amazing service, really enjoyed working with the Petrus team to help us set up and keep the landscape in our properties looking stunning!
Petrus Landscaping transformed our steep hillside yard with beautiful features like a stone staircase, pond, tiered garden beds, and drought-tolerant planting with an automated drip system. The team was professional, thoughtful, and delivered results beyond what we imagined.
I have been working with Ward, Gabe and their team of gardeners at my clients estate for the past 5 years. I have found them to be reliable, professional, and extremely knowledgeable of landscapes. They certainly know their plants, and have been instrumental in bringing a fine level of detail to the estate I manage. Their team of gardeners are respectful, attentive, and go above and beyond to create the well manicured gardens that the estate requires.
Ward and his team completed two complex projects for our Silicon Valley client at their Sunnyvale campus. One involved redesigning a large atrium’s hardscape, requiring careful weekend transport of heavy materials through a newly renovated cafeteria—executed flawlessly without disrupting operations. They also revamped the main entrance planters, replacing an unsatisfactory installation with a more elegant and formal design. Their work is always thoughtful, precise, and completed with minimal disruption. We trust Petrus Landscaping for all large-scale projects, knowing they deliver exceptional results every time.
Schedule Your Native Planting Consultation
Let’s bring lasting beauty and sustainable design to your landscape. Our expert landscape designers are ready to help you reimagine your estate with climate-adapted planting that adds value, elegance, and peace of mind.