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Ecological Landscape Design for Coastal Orange County California
Native-forward, climate-adapted gardens designed for long-term beauty, resilience, and soil health.

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Designed to Thrive in Coastal Orange County and Beyond

We design layered, naturalistic landscapes rooted in California native and climate-adapted plants. From pollinator friendly front yards to refined outdoor living spaces, our gardens are built to mature beautifully over time.

Front yard landscape for new house in orange county with drought-tolerant plants, native california with water saving rock creek bed, gutter water catchment, redbud tree, flowers, rocks, and mulch
A landscaped garden Italian style native California garden plan with trees, shrubs, flowering plants, a small water fountain, and decorative rocks in a residential area under a clear blue sky.
A garden in San Clemente with a water capturing swale for large rain events. native California plants in a gravel garden with palm tree and white fence
A drought tolerant coastal garden bed filled with purple, yellow, and green plants next to a curved sidewalk with white outdoor furniture and a white fence in the background.

The Sweetgrass Approach

Sweetgrass Gardens is an artisan landscape design studio serving homeowners throughout South Orange County, including San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano, Newport Beach, Laguna beach, Mission Viejo, Rancho Santa Margarita, Laguna hills and Laguna Niguel.

Our work integrates ecological planting principles with refined spatial composition. Every design considers soil health, irrigation efficiency, plant compatibility, and long-term growth patterns — ensuring your landscape performs as beautifully as it looks.

We specialize in native and climate-adapted gardens suited to Southern California’s Mediterranean environment, creating spaces that feel natural, intentional, and enduring.

Aerial view of a landscape with a rectangular bocce ball court in an italian garden, surrounded by landscaped garden beds with plants and shrubs.

Design Services

We offer structured, professional landscape design services tailored to property size and scope:

• Concept Landscape Plans
• Detailed Planting & Landscape Material Plans
• Design Oversight During Installation

Each project is developed with technical clarity to support successful contractor implementation.

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Why Professional Garden Design Matters

A well-designed landscape integrates more than plant selection. It requires:

• Soil preparation strategies that prevent failure

• Water-efficient irrigation planning

• Plant communities that mature harmoniously

• Spatial balance between structure and softness

• Seasonal layering for year-round interest

Artisan garden design considers the garden as a living system — not just a collection of plants.

Close-up of a large, round concrete planter filled with various succulents, placed on a white stone pedestal in an outdoor garden near a house.
A modern house with large windows, trees, and landscaped garden with purple flowers by a swimming pool.

Investment

Landscape design is a long-term investment in your property’s value and environmental resilience.

Most projects range from $2,500 to $20,000+ depending on site conditions and scope. We work selectively to ensure each project receives focused attention and thoughtful execution.

Great landscape design can increase a property's value by 20%. A well-executed, professional design typically offers a high return on investment, with studies showing that spending 5% of a home's value on landscaping can result in a 15-20% increase in overall value

ReadyDesign Planting Plans

For homeowners seeking professional guidance in a streamlined format for DIY, our ReadyDesign plans provide thoughtfully developed planting templates tailored to Orange County’s climate.

Each plan includes:
• Scaled layout
• Complete plant list
• Bloom charts, water data and more
• Installation clarity

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Advertisement for Sweetgrass Gardens Mediterranean landscape design plans showing multiple pages of landscape plans, plant instructions, and a garden schedule. Highlighted text mentions 10+ pages and contractor-ready scaled plans, with a call to action to save money by doing it right the first time.

Let’s Design a Garden That Thrives for Decades

If you value intentional design, ecological planting, and long-term beauty, we invite you to begin the conversation.

949-687-7683

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