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Are you curious about removing your water thirsty lawn but don’t know where to start?…

“We open your doors to endless possibilities” That’s what it says on our website, and…

At writing, we’re still dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic. Masks may not be the norm…

Is California’s drought over? Technically, no. California has more evaporation than precipitation – we’re always…

In late October, a major rainstorm impacted much of Northern California including the San Francisco…

In the Bay Area, we’re very fortunate to have amazing weather year round coupled with…

Planting a tree is an investment in the future because most trees will take at…

Spring is generally the season when landscapes in the Bay Area look the most beautiful.…

At SFLA, we are always happy when clients want to include CA natives in the…

Last week Governor Newsom declared a drought emergency for 39 more counties including Alameda, Contra…

Now is the best time to head for the hills or canyons to see the…

The annual Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour will offer both inspiration and advice on…

There are so many amazingly beautiful flowering plants to choose from! As landscape designers, even…

As we welcome the songbirds back in the spring, consider inviting them in for a…

Now that we are entertaining our friends and family outdoors even in the darker hours…

Redbuds are beautiful deciduous trees that have brilliant pink buds on bare branches in the…

This winter, we can take advantage of the coming rains as well as the often…

While many of the berries that we humans eat ripen in the summer, the berries…

When many trees have lost their leaves, these trees and shrubs add color and interest…

Now is the best time to plant California native trees, shrubs, perennials and grasses to…

Pictures provide inspiration, however it’s important to choose plants that will thrive in your location.…

Defining your personal style and preferences can be puzzling for some. Are you: Modern? Contemporary?…

Even while celebrating with a small group or on your own, now is the best…

We at SFLA wish you all a Happy and Safe 4th of July! Our celebrations…

Gardening can be a fun way for you to spend time with your kids and…

Now that the rains have stopped, the temperatures are rising and the hills have turned…

During these challenging times, we all are feeling the need for some sanctuary. Not to…

If you are looking to add a little color to your garden, you might consider:…

Herb gardens can be a good way to ease into vegetable gardening – they’re a…

Lorraine Kalich’s property in San Ramon was one of the native plant landscapes featured on…

The team here at Susan Friedman Landscape Architecture welcomed the good news that our landscape…

Now that the weather is getting warmer and much of our rain is over, our…

At Susan Friedman Landscape Architecture (SFLA), we specify smart irrigation controllers in most of our…

The Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour™ is a great way to get ideas for…

Now that the days and evenings are warmer and many of us are home more,…

The website www.calscape.org is your one-stop-shop for information about California native plants. Sponsored by the California…

Sharing beautiful photos of birds eating insects or feeding caterpillars to baby birds, Dr. Doug…

One of the most exciting things I love about the outdoors is observing wildlife in…

Now that a number of us are working from home and most of our parks…

We’d like to take this opportunity to say goodbye to our intern Kristen, who is…

Admittedly, these are stressful times. Even under the best circumstances, most of us could use…

The UC Master Gardener Program of Contra Costa County has just delivered their Master Gardner-nurtured…

Call it a casita, in-law unit, rental unit, or guest house—all these types of small…

The challenge with this project, a one-acre parcel in a quiet neighborhood, was to take…

Clients come to Susan Friedman Landscape Architecture (SFLA) with varied goals in mind. More usable…

Check out these favorite California native powerhouse perennials in bloom this month, upcoming National Public…

Sweet Spring is here, and the succulents are blooming! Take a peek at our latest…

Landscaping with native California wildflowers, and where to catch the local “super bloom.” Upcoming events,…

Miner’s lettuce, ferns, and checkerbloom are some of the first to turn the ground GREEN in Spring!

Cercis occidentalis ‘Claremont’, Claremont Western Redbud – a star of late winter, and a new featured…

From all of us at SFLA this Valentine’s Day… We LOVE you!

Happy 2019 from SFLA! A warm and cozy spotlight, and what’s in bloom this month!…

Gather around the welcoming fireplace for an evening in this San Ramon back yard. Enjoy the warmth of…

Thanks to these wonderful Alamo clients for the update on an exciting project from 2014. An…

During the rainy season Toyon bursts with red berries to feed robins, waxwings and many other bird species. Hummingbirds…

Arctostaphylos – California Manzanita California alone has more than 40 different native species of Arctostaphylos……

Happy Holidays 2018! Featuring CA native Toyon, a new project in Pleasanton, a delicious recipe,…

This Pleasanton backyard space had good “bones” with an existing swimming pool, mature fruitless olive…

Burrata Toasts with Caramelized Walnuts and Mint-Pomegranate Pesto With the winter holidays upon us there’s no…

“Timing is Everything.” Just like the saying, this rings true when it comes to pruning…

Growing citrus in California is a must – Meyer Lemon, Clementine, Lime, Kumquat… all perform…

A California native evergreen shrub that typically grows into a dense plant to 10 feet…

SFLA’s November Newsletter – Fall in Full Color! A new featured project, winter veggie ideas,…

“As much as we love ripe tomatoes, by midsummer, we’re already fantasizing about our fall vegetable garden.…

SFLA was contacted to design a comprehensive landscape plan for a quiet Alamo neighborhood residence.…

Have you been visited by flocks of our native wild turkeys? We see them often…

The Pacific Vine Maple is an understory plant in its natural environment. As a large shrub…

Fall is here! A new season, a new featured project, and some SFLA favorites! READ…

Fall gardening tips, fire-safe landscaping, our newest SFLA member & more! READ MORE

Check out our Summer 2018 newsletter! Featuring Susan’s budding landscape in San Ramon, a peak…

It’s Fall, and that means leaves are falling everywhere. What a wonderful, and FREE resource for our…

Be sure to read our latest newsletter introducing our newest SFLA team member Audrey, with…

Spring in Full Swing! Enjoy a recap of SFLA’s gardens on the 2017 Bringing Back…

Season’s Greetings! Click below for Winter maintenance tips, info about SFLA’s four gardens on the…

The seasons are changing – what does that mean for our local landscapes? Learn about tree…

San Miguel Island Buckwheat – Eriogonum grande var. rubescens, has red to pink flowers that…

Spring is in the air!  DWR snow pack survey results, gas fire-pit safety tips, bare…

We love this time of year, and not just because of the rain we’ve been…

It’s pumpkin season! Everyones favorite curcurbit, fall plant sales, irrigation surveys and more! Read More

Summer in our Mediterranean climate, drought tips for lawns and trees and a look at…

A look at “pretty-in-pink” Cercis occidentalis, winter gardening tips, bringing the element of fire into your…

Tis the season, folks! Of short days and cold weather and RAIN (YAY!. Of gifts…

You’ve heard before that we are in a drought, but what have you been doing…

Saving water doesn’t have to involve the cost and inconvenience of tearing up your yard…

I’m not big on New Year’s resolutions, but this year I’ve made two:  reduce sugar consumption…

What about our frozen and drooping plants that clearly aren’t going to make it through…

As the days grow shorter and the nights grow cooler, now is perfect time to…

If you live in the San Francisco Bay area and see a beautiful flowering tree…

In the midst of the busiest season I’ve had in the twenty years I’ve been…

On April 22, 1970, Earth Day became a movement when 20 million Americans gathered to…

Get the Results You Want! Choosing the right landscape architect for your project is an…

If yard improvement projects are on your “to-do” list for this season, then right now…

5 things to do in your garden today! In the San Francisco Bay Area, rain…

The San Francisco Bay area is flush with songbirds, both those just passing through and…

In the Bay Area, spring has shaken off its wet head to finally emerge in…

At this time of year, most gardeners have just about finished harvesting the last of…

One of the many surprises in the garden occurs when a plant rewards its owner…

Nothing signals fall more than Japanese maple trees (botanic name acer palmatum) blazing with fall…

Six Things to Do in Your Garden Now! As the days grow shorter, and trees…

Summer in the backyard means hanging out with family and friends, sitting around the outdoor…

Buying garden plants at a nursery or garden center can be so much fun.  All…

5 Things to Do in Your Garden In the San Francisco Bay Area, rain showers…

One of nature’s most magnificent playgrounds, Yosemite National Park is truly one of the most…

On April 22, 1970, Earth Day became a movement as 20 million Americans gathered throughout…

“With so many paving material choices – which one should I use?” This is a…

I just returned from Palm Springs for a short R&R break and quality time with…

Today is California Arbor Day! It’s a great day to help the earth by planting…

Thank you for entering the “Garden Gate”  to my Susan Friedman Landscape Architecture Blog page. …

If yard improvement projects are on your “to-do” list for this season, then right now…

My Dear Client, I hope all is well with you and yours in this New…