We truly believe that effective softscaping melds the art and science of horticultural design. On the one hand, it's important to adhere to principles of design like color, flow, balance, and unity. On the other hand, softscaping is ineffective if undertaken without a healthy knowledge of the soil, climate, and plant species unique to the Manhattan Beach area. As we design, we keep some important principles in mind:

Seasonal, Native, and Diverse

To us, one of the most exciting aspects of softscaping is that it's a flexible, intuitive process that can be adapted for a variety of seasons, climates, and personal tastes. This is especially true in the Southern LA area, which is home to an incredibly rich diversity of plant life. Native grasses, colorful wildflowers, native sages, and gorgeous succulents — Manhattan Beach plays home to plants that vary in size, color, and type.

As part of our commitment to this beautiful area, we softscape with native plants in mind. Not only does this ensure horticultural elements that are well-suited to climate conditions, but it also means that we avoid using invasive species that cause more harm than good in our local ecosystem. All of our plants are carefully chosen for their physical attributes — as well as their suitability to the Manhattan Beach area.

Beautiful Flow & Design

We see the fusion of hardscaping and softscaping as a holistic process. With softscape design, it's pivotal to provide for flow and design that incorporates other elements of your home, garden, and patio elements. Our softscape designs work in and around pre-existing features in your yard and outdoor spaces. As you're considering a cohesive design, ask yourself some questions: How does one element of the landscape flow seamlessly into another? Is there an intuitive transition from one area to another? Is there a balance and unity to elements — with a sense of incorporating diversity?

Additionally, this is where it's important to think of design elements that are important to you. When it comes to color, for example, do you favor a more classic and muted design? In that case, we can work with you to softscape with earth tones in mind. Or perhaps you favor a burst of color in your design? Then we'll design with beautiful native wildflowers. If you love the diversity, color combinations, and variety of succulents — we can work those elements into your softscape design. From rustic to polished, we believe that it's possible to make your softscape vision a reality.

Outdoor Living — Sustainability Matters

In addition to accounting for native plant species, softscape design in Manhattan Beach and the surrounding areas requires keen insights into sustainability features. We resonate with local initiatives by the Manhattan Beach's Environmental Sustainability Division which push for water conservation and sustainable development. As soil, plant, and horticultural experts, we take pride in making outdoor spaces greener.

Not only is environmentalism important to us philosophically, but sustainable design naturally leads to a longer-lasting, more effective landscape. Here are some factors we keep in mind:

• Is the soil at your home better suited for some plants over others?
• Are we designing with drought-resistant principles in mind?
• Is this a low-maintenance design for busy homeowners?
• Is it possible to incorporate plants that require less water?
• Are we positively contributing to the local ecosystem?

As part of our commitment to sustainability in Manhattan Beach, we even offer innovative techniques like xeriscaping — which preserves our local water resources.