Looking for sustainable, residential landscape design plans created by QWEL-certified experts? Browse Water Efficient Gardens’ custom landscape design plan packages below! We incorporate native plants and low-water landscaping in all of our packages.

You can choose to do DIY installation with your online landscape plan, or also hire Water Efficient Gardens for end-to-end service from design to installation. We also create HOA-approved landscape designs for residents of HOAs!

Full Custom Native Garden Plan Packages

Custom Inspirations


1-2 Design Images
$800+
All Locations
GET STARTED
  • Upload 1 or more photos of your yard to receive 1-2 custom garden inspiration images!
  • Designed by experts using your input and our proprietary technology
  • These aren’t just pretty pictures or Photoshop mockups. They are built with native plants, fire-smart strategies & water-efficient principles, that can be turned into real gardens.
  • If you choose to move forward with a Full Custom Garden Plan package, we’ll apply your purchase price toward it.
  • Delivered to your My Account within 2 business days from the date we received your photos

Front Yard


ONLINE DESIGN
$980+
All Locations
GET STARTED
  • 1-2 Custom Front Yard Design Inspirations
  • Finalized Designs with Design Diagram and Plant List
  • 3D Rendering
  • Designs include Plants, Rain Gardens, Dry River Beds, and Simple Paths (Stepping Stone)
  • A "Month of the Bloom" chart that shows the bloom seasons of the plants in design across 12 months
  • 1 design meeting, and 1 revision

Backyard


ONLINE DESIGN
$1980+
All Locations
GET STARTED
  • 1-2 Custom Backyard Design Inspirations
  • Finalized Designs with Design Diagram and Plant List
  • 3D Rendering
  • Designs include Plants, Rain Gardens, Dry River Beds, Elaborate Paths, and Gazebo/Pergola.
  • A "Month of the Bloom" chart that shows the bloom seasons of the plants in design across 12 months
  • 1-2 design meetings, and 1 revision

Front & Backyard


ONLINE DESIGN
$2980+
All Locations
GET STARTED
  • 1-2 Custom Front Yard and Backyard Design Inspirations
  • Finalized Designs with Design Diagram and Plant List
  • 3D Rendering
  • Designs include Plants, Rain Gardens, Dry River Beds, Elaborate Paths, and Gazebo/Pergola.
  • A "Month of the Bloom" chart that shows the bloom seasons of the plants in design across 12 months
  • 1-2 design meetings, and 1 revision

We also provide these custom native landscaping services


Lawn Replacement Rebate Assistance
$2-4/sf (in many cities), 1000 sf lawn may receive $2,000 rebate after project completion
$250
  • Expert assistance throughout rebate process.
  • Preparation of required information per application requirements.
  • Help homeowner receive maximum rebate ie for installation of water efficient irrigation system and rain garden rebate in addition to lawn conversion.
  • 100% of customers who have purchased our rebate assistance add-on and followed our design have successfully received their rebate!
Parking Strip Design
$280
  • Get curb appeal! Additional rebates available.
  • Add it to your front yard package for a consistent design.
  • Additional habitat space for pollinators and wildlife.
Veggie Garden Starter Package
$300
  • Turn extra space into a "victory garden".
  • Help with design and purchasing of plants for your very own at-home veggie garden (cost of plants billed separately).

HOA-Friendly Yard Design Plans & Guidance

Our Impact: Before and After

brown front yard lawn
front yard waterwise garden
front yard lawn
front yard colorful garden
old backyard
new backyard
new backyard at night

Residential Landscape Design Testimonials

We are so happy with our yard! We weren’t sure what we wanted at first, but we were drawn to the designer's unique and colorful designs. She has a great eye for mixing different colors and textures of plants, and she designed a completely California native yard that has something in bloom year-round. We have received so many compliments from neighbors since installing our new yard. Having Water Efficient Gardens manage the reimbursement process with the county was also really wonderful. She knows how the department works and submitted everything they requested very quickly. We received our reimbursement with no issues not too long after our yard was complete.

- Megan S.

It was the best decision to work with Shelkie to have it redone with a rain garden that would attract bees and butterflies. She worked with a few plants I had already in place that I did want to keep, and put in native plants that are low maintenance and water sparing. I told her what was important to me and she made the whole process easy and worked to find the best fit. After she created the design, she arranged for a landscaper to carry out her plans, and oversaw the whole project. She also facilitated the process for getting a water rebate.

It has been 3 years now and I still get comments from people passing by about how well done the yard is. It still makes me happy when I look out at the yard, especially when something is in bloom, which Shelkie staggered plants to do for several months of the year. Very reasonable cost for what was done, especially with the water rebate. Wish I had done it sooner!

- Helen C.

We recently converted our lawn to drought tolerant plants. Working with Water Efficient Gardens was easy. They handled the paperwork for the rebates and brought in a contractor to install the plants and irrigation. They created a low-maintenance design with a rain garden. Highly recommend!

- Nancy L.

Working with Shelkie Tao has been a joy start to finish! She crafted us a beautiful, low-maintenance, water-efficient California natives garden in a palette that reflects our tastes and with plants that fit the precise needs of our soil conditions and space. Throughout the process, she was endlessly responsive -- always willing to answer our questions and to share her deep native plants expertise. Her Lawn Replacement Rebate Assistance program made interfacing with Valley Water so easy and we were delighted to have each step of our project quickly approved. It's been three months since installation, and already -- in the middle of winter! -- our garden is growing and blooming and the lovely rain garden feature handled our recent storms beautifully. We've already had monarch caterpillars munching on our milkweeds! We have gotten so many compliments on our front yard's transformation and we've learned so much from Shelkie. She has a passion for California's wonderful native plant heritage that is absolutely infectious! We recommend her with greatest enthusiasm and can't wait to work with her again!

- Elizabeth J.
Schedule a Consultation

FAQ

Can residential landscape design plans be created to meet HOA requirements?

Yes. Residential landscape design plans can be tailored to meet HOA guidelines, including approved plant palettes, layout restrictions, and aesthetic standards. Water Efficient Gardens specializes in HOA-friendly landscape design plans that streamline the approval process and reduce revision delays.

How can landscape design plans help homeowners get HOA approval faster?

Clear documentation, compliant plant selections, and designs aligned with HOA rules help minimize back-and-forth. Water Efficient Gardens prepares landscape plans specifically formatted for HOA review, making approvals faster and more predictable.

Does Water Efficient Gardens design lawn conversion plans for homeowners?

Yes. Water Efficient Gardens designs lawn conversion plans that account for site conditions, HOA guidelines, and long-term water savings, and can support turf-replacement requirements and rebate programs where available.

Can sustainable landscape design plans reduce water bills for homeowners?

Yes. Sustainable landscape design plans prioritize drought-tolerant plants, efficient irrigation strategies, and soil health improvements that significantly reduce outdoor water use. These plans are especially effective in water-conscious regions like California.

Are fire-resistant landscape design plans appropriate for residential properties?

Yes. Fire-resistant landscape design plans are commonly used for homes in fire-prone areas and focus on defensible space, low-flammability plants, and safer layout strategies. Water Efficient Gardens integrates fire-resilience principles while maintaining curb appeal and usability.

Can one residential landscape design plan address HOA rules, sustainability, and fire resistance?

Yes. A well-planned residential landscape design can address HOA compliance, water efficiency, and fire-resistance simultaneously. Water Efficient Gardens creates integrated landscape plans that balance regulatory requirements with long-term resilience and aesthetics.

Is online residential landscape design a good option for homeowners?

Yes. Online residential landscape design works well for homeowners who want professional guidance with or without an in-person site visit. Water Efficient Gardens offers online design plans tailored to local climate, HOA requirements, and sustainability goals.

How does Water Efficient Gardens support homeowners through the landscape design process?

Water Efficient Gardens supports homeowners by creating clear, customized landscape design plans that account for HOA rules, water-efficiency goals, and site-specific conditions. The process is designed to be straightforward, flexible, and easy to implement over time.

Where We Have Been Featured

Memberships & Partnerships

Certifications

Have More Questions?

Contact Us