What shapes the investment
- Groundcover material chosen (DG, gravel, turf, or concrete)
- Plant selection and quantity
- Drip irrigation system design
- Site grading and drainage work
- Integration with existing hardscape
Drought-Tolerant Landscapes
Drought-Tolerant Landscape Design and Build That Still Looks Complete
Drought-tolerant landscape design uses low water-usage plants and greenery to create a design that looks beautiful and requires little to no water to maintain, helping you do your part in keeping the water shortage under control.
- 25+years of experience
- 10,000+projects completed
- In-housedesign-build crews
- LIC #715731licensed & insured
- 5-star
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What you're looking for
The right approach follows how you want to use the space. Pick what you're actually after below, and the materials and layout mostly follow from it. Every project shown was built here in Southern California, so the choices are suited to this climate.
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01 A yard that needs little water Low water-usage plants and greenery cut irrigation without leaving the yard looking bare. See drought-tolerant yards -
02 Structure without a lawn Cactus and other architectural plants give a front yard presence and shape without relying on turf. See architectural planting -
03 A patio that fits the palette Hardscape materials are chosen to match the drought-tolerant plant palette, not fight against it. See patios -
04 A fire feature as the focal point A fire feature set into decomposed granite or gravel becomes the gathering place in a low-water yard. See fire features
Service options
Decomposed Granite Groundcover
Best for Anyone who wants a natural, informal surface that drains well and needs no water.
- Needs no irrigation once installed
- Warm, natural color that suits native and Mediterranean plantings
- Drains freely, reducing runoff
- Lower cost than paving for large areas
On your property Needs occasional raking and re-compaction. Best contained with edging so it does not migrate onto walkways.
- Cactus and succulents
- Gravel pathways
- Native plant beds
- Stone accents
Artificial Turf
Best for Anyone who wants the look of a lawn without the water bill.
- Looks green year-round with zero irrigation
- Holds up to foot traffic and pets
- No mowing, fertilizing, or reseeding
- Pairs with real planting beds along the edges
On your property Surface temperature runs hotter than real grass in direct sun. Needs a compacted base for proper drainage.
- Play areas
- Pet-friendly yards
- Planting borders
- Pathways
Gravel and Beach Pebble Groundcover
Best for Anyone who wants texture and drainage between planting beds and hardscape.
- Excellent drainage around plant roots
- Available in a range of colors and stone sizes
- Suppresses weeds when installed over fabric
- Works as a transition between patio and planting
On your property Loose gravel can migrate without edging. Beach pebbles cost more than standard gravel.
- Succulents
- Dry creek beds
- Stepping stones
- Stone borders
How we work
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Before Site analysis and sun exposure
We assess sunlight, drainage, soil, and existing plants to determine which drought-tolerant species will actually thrive.
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Selection Plant and material selection
Cactus, succulents, and native plants are chosen alongside groundcover materials like decomposed granite or gravel.
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Design plan Grading and groundcover installation
Concrete, decomposed granite, gravel, or turf is installed over a properly graded and compacted base.
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Before: existing conditions Drip irrigation setup
Targeted drip irrigation is installed only where plants need it, rather than broadcast sprinklers.
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Finished Planting and finishing
Plants go in, stone and pebble accents are placed, and the bed is finished and ready to establish.
Key decisions
Things worth knowing before a first consultation.
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Groundcover choice
Decomposed granite, gravel, artificial turf, and concrete each drain and look different. The choice affects cost and maintenance.
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Plant palette
Cactus and succulents give a bold, structural look. Native perennials read softer but still need minimal water.
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Irrigation approach
Drip irrigation targets water at the root zone, cutting waste compared to broadcast sprinklers.
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Hardscape integration
Patios, fire features, and pathways should be planned alongside the plant and groundcover palette, not added after.
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Maintenance level
Decomposed granite needs occasional raking. Artificial turf needs almost none. Gravel can migrate without edging.
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Water savings versus appearance
A well-designed drought-tolerant yard can look as complete as a traditional lawn while using a fraction of the water.
Investment and timeline
No quote written off a photograph can account for what your property is like.
What shapes the schedule
- Design and plant selection
- Groundcover material lead times
- Irrigation installation
- Planting season for best establishment
Why drought-tolerant front yard was drawn together with the rest of the property
Decking, drainage, utilities, planting, shade and lighting all bear on where a feature goes and how it gets built. Settling them on one set of drawings is what keeps conduit out of the wrong trench and stops paving being cut to fit afterward.
- Groundcover and drainage Material chosen to drain well and need no irrigation once installed.
- Plant palette Cactus, succulents, and native plants selected for the site’s sun and soil.
- Drip irrigation Targeted watering only where plants need it, not broadcast sprinklers.
- Hardscape connection Patios and fire features integrated with the drought-tolerant palette.
- Long-term maintenance Groundcover and plant choices set how much upkeep the yard needs going forward.
Access, engineering, permits, finishes and scope vary a lot from one property to the next, so the investment and the schedule for your project are set once we have seen the site and the design is settled.
Tell us about the property and what you want the space to do. We will walk through the design, site and permitting factors likely to shape it.
What customers say
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I've done several projects with Pacific Outdoor Living and they are always so easy to work with. Their project managers are knowledgeable and in constant communication throughout the project.
Chris Sosa Google review · 1 year ago Landscape design project -
Having been in our home for some time we knew about numerous issues that needed to be addressed. The team walked us through every option before we decided.
Tom W Google review · 1 year ago Landscape renovation
Frequently asked questions
How much water does a drought-tolerant landscape actually save?
It depends on plant selection and irrigation design, but replacing a traditional lawn with drought-tolerant plants and groundcover cuts outdoor water use substantially, since most water use goes to lawn irrigation.
Does drought-tolerant mean no plants at all?
No. Drought-tolerant design uses cactus, succulents, and native plants that need little water once established, along with groundcover like decomposed granite, gravel, or artificial turf.
Can I keep some grass and still be drought-tolerant?
Yes. Many designs keep a small turf area for kids or pets while replacing the rest of the lawn with low-water planting and groundcover.
How long until drought-tolerant plants are established?
Most drought-tolerant plants need regular water for the first year while roots establish, then need much less once mature.
Ready to get started?
Schedule a consultation with one of our designers to discuss your project goals and explore what's possible on your property.
What happens next: we set up a visit, measure the property and talk through what you want the space to do. Then you get a design to look at before you commit to anything.