5 new rebate-qualifying plant palettes each with 2 different front yard layouts. And all kinds of options. Native feature lawn or no lawn at all. Featuring full size plants with hedges and trees or small packages from which you can simply order borders. 

Meet the Sierra Madre Greener Yards Project

The Sierra Madre Greener Yards Project is a publicly commissioned set of Free landscape design plans. There are 10 plans in total. One with a small native lawn and one without in each of 5 styles: Ranch, Contemporary, Spanish, Mediterranean and Craftsman.

These landscape design plans were determined to compliment the most common architectural styles in Sierra Madre. The 6-page design information packages and layout plans were created so homeowners would have more resources to replace lawns with lower water plants in Southern California with plants cut out for beginners. This project was funded by the San Gabriel Valley Water District and was completed in partnership with California Wild Gardens. 

These Landscaping Plans feature all Low-Water plants. 

From the reinvention of Ranch to the smooth romance of Contemporary Style these landscape designs are meant to be templates anyone can follow. "I wanted to bring these plans together with a simpler layout style to make them as affordable as possible and more beginner friendly," says designer and yours truly, Briana Lyon.

To view the full Free 6-page landscape design plans, visit our Sierra Madre Greener Yards collection and view the package you're interested in. Or scroll through them here and click the images of the design you like to be linked to the design packages.  

Contemporary Style 

This no-lawn frontyard landscape design plan is full of modern style. Gentle asymmetry and clean lines combine in an alternating patchwork. To make up this elegant California landscape. With more foliage variety than flowers. Seasonal blooms still occur intermittently throughout the year.  

• Native Ornamental Grasses: pink or white muhly, gramma grass & more
• Mounding Shrubs: Acacia 'cousin itt' and Rosemary 'boule' 
• Architectural Succulents: Hesperaloe, Blue euphorbia & Sticks on Fire

VIEW PLAN / SHOP PLANTS

Ranch Style 

I'm affectionately calling this no-lawn Frontyard Landscape Design "Nouveau Ranch". It's full fronting of easy ornamental grass Deer Grass provides a BIG modern lawn alternative to this simple yet stunning plant package. A small pollinator garden and native low-water privacy hedging make for an affordable garden with a classic look. Larger growing plants that fill lots of space once mature.  

• Modern Hedge: Australian rosemary provides a low-water border
• Pollinator Garden: Russian Sage & hummingbird mint provide contrast 
• Pretty Privacy: Toyon, Yellow Tecoma & Thornless Prickly pear combine in an understated blend for framing private patios and neighbors

VIEW PLAN / SHOP PLANTS

Spanish Style

This no-lawn Frontyard Landscape Design is packed with shape and color. Architectural succulent plants and cactus fill out this formal Spanish courtyard garden. With a rainbow of smaller succulents filling in beneath. Low-water privacy hedges grow fruit and 2 dramatic small trees provide shade for relaxing seating.  

• Dramatic Accents: Desert spoon & variegated Yucca
• Small Succulents: Echeverias, Blue Chalksticks, Hen & Chicks and Paddle Plant 
• Small Silver Trees: Pineapple guava, Knifeleaf Acacia and more

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Craftsman Style 

This jewel-toned no lawn frontyard landscape design plan is a looker! The garden mimics the deeper tones of Craftsman home color palettes. With silver-leaved beauties contrasting against dark purple leaved wonders. Making a yard that is colorful all year long! Golden blossoms in summer and fall-blooming grasses pop-up for seasonal flares after a spring show of red blooming fuschia and monkey flower.  

• Mounding Shrubs: Dwarf olive, Mexican Marigold & White Sage
• Colorful Foliage: Purple Smokebush, Variegated Flax Lily & more
• Small Flowers: Santa Barbara Daisy, Sundrops & Monkey Flower 

VIEW PLAN / SHOP PLANTS 

California Mediterranean 

A universally dreamy no lawn front yard landscape design plan FILLED with lavender and sage. Silver leaved plants blossom purple much of the year with generous pink accents brightening shady corners. This Mediterranean California-native blend features delicate native trees, big blooming privacy hedging and a few succulent accents too.  

• Silver Groundcovers: Lavender Cotton & Compact Blue Germander
• Sage Blend: Purple Sage, Mexican bush Sage & Lavender
• Bright Flowering Shade Plants: Coral Bells & Red Flowering Currant

VIEW PLAN / SHOP PLANTS

These comprehensive designs feature the tips I've gleaned from 10 years in the sustainable landscaping industry. Including the MOST important thing I've learned: Soil preparation. Without assisting your soil's recovery new plants will struggle. And often fail. The most important thing you can do? More than anything, most drought tolerant plants need drainage. The fastest drainage cheat is simply to place 2" of lava rock in the bottom of your planting holes (I gleaned this tip from a Ruth Bancroft garden design seminar). You'll be amazed at the difference of how your California native and low water plants grow. 

Greener Yards landscape design plans also include basic pruning tips as about 1/3 of drought tolerant plants look best with annual cutbacks. Or they get leggy. Checkout the full collection of products and guides by clicking here.

FIRE SAFETY

Please note, after January 2025 wildfires in the greater Sierra Madre region these plans are being revised somewhat for fire safety. For greatest wildfire deterring landscape design:

• Maintain a gap of a minimum of 5' between your home and any plants
• Irrigate less frequently but more deeply
• Avoid high Fire-Risk Plants: see more info