PlantsApril 2026·8 min
Why specimen trees take three growing seasons to settle
The first year a transplanted specimen tree is in survival mode. Year two it’s establishing. Year three it’s growing. Why this matters for build timing.
Journal
Field notes from the studio
Notes on landscape design, plants, hardscape, and the practice. Published when we have something worth saying.
DesignMarch 2026·9 min
Drought-resilient design isn’t the same as water-free
Real talk on what "low-water" actually means in California design. Most resilient landscapes still need supplemental water during heat waves.
DesignMarch 2026·7 min
Hardscape proportions in residential design
Most landscape designs we audit have too much hardscape. The proportional rule we use to keep gardens feeling like gardens.
PlantsFebruary 2026·10 min
California native vs. native-adjacent
Strict native designs are restorative but can look stark. We blend natives with Mediterranean adapted species. Why and how.
CareFebruary 2026·6 min
Year-round caretaking: what we actually do each month
Pruning, planting, irrigation tuning, soil top-dress, structural review. A behind-the-scenes look at our caretaking calendar.
PracticeJanuary 2026·8 min
When to walk away from a project
Sometimes the right answer is "this isn’t our project." Honest reflections on the projects we’ve declined and why.