Sierra Madre Greener Yards
The City of Sierra Madre is making five City Council-funded landscape plans available to help residents replace water-intensive lawns with climate-appropriate gardens. The Craftsman, Mediterranean, Ranch, Spanish, and Contemporary designs pair common residential architectural styles with California native and Mediterranean-climate plants selected for lower water use, seasonal color, and year-round structure.
Choose a Landscape Style
Select an image for a larger view or open the corresponding City-hosted PDF. These are general design guides and should be adapted to site conditions and applicable City requirements.
Craftsman
Deep-hued shrubs and warm seasonal blooms create a colorful, low-water interpretation of the classic California Craftsman garden. Variegated, olive, and purple foliage provide year-round color and structure around the home.
Mediterranean
Sages, lavender, succulents, and santolina create a blue and purple palette with seasonal flowers and lasting structure. California native plants are blended with plants from other Mediterranean-climate regions for a garden that complements Mediterranean architecture.
Ranch
Broad sweeps of California native grasses create an open, informal landscape suited to Ranch-style homes. Silver and gold foliage, flowering trees, low-water hedges, and bird-friendly plants add seasonal interest without relying on a conventional lawn.
Spanish
Bold, symmetrical groupings of cacti and colorful succulents complement courtyards, patios, and Spanish-influenced architecture. Sculptural forms and soft foliage colors create strong visual interest while reducing reliance on water-intensive lawn.
Contemporary
Ornamental grasses and a restrained blue, green, and gold palette complement modern hardscape. Seasonal movement and fall color can be paired with citrus or olive trees, succulents, and low-growing groundcovers for a clean but lively landscape.
External resource: Design-detail links open the California Wild Gardens website. The City provides these links for additional background and does not endorse or guarantee third-party products or services.
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