Sierra Madre Greener Yards
The City of Sierra Madre is sharing five climate-appropriate landscape design plans to provide residents with ideas and inspiration for replacing traditional lawns with attractive, lower-water landscapes. Developed by California Wild Gardens as part of the Sierra Madre Greener Yards project, the plans feature California native and Mediterranean-climate plants organized around five common residential architectural styles: Craftsman, Mediterranean, Ranch, Spanish, and Contemporary.
The plans are intended as general design and educational resources that residents can adapt to their individual properties, site conditions, and landscaping goals. The Sierra Madre Greener Yards project received grant funding from the San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District to support water conservation and drought-tolerant landscaping efforts.
Explore the Landscape Plans
Select an image for a larger view or open the corresponding landscape plan PDF. Each plan provides a different planting concept based on architectural style, plant character, seasonal interest, and lower-water landscaping.
Craftsman
Deep-hued shrubs and warm seasonal blooms create a colorful, lower-water interpretation of the classic California Craftsman garden. Variegated, olive, and purple foliage provide year-round color and structure around the home.
View Craftsman Plan PDF »
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.
View Mediterranean Plan PDF »
Ranch
Broad sweeps of California native grasses create an open, informal landscape suited to Ranch-style homes. Silver and gold foliage, flowering trees, lower-water hedges, and bird-friendly plants add seasonal interest without relying on a conventional lawn.
View Ranch Plan PDF »
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.
View Spanish Plan PDF »
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.
View Contemporary Plan PDF »About these plans: These plans are conceptual landscape guides and are provided for general informational and educational purposes. Adapt plant selection, placement, irrigation, and other landscape features to individual site conditions, including sunlight, soil, drainage, utilities, mature plant size, and applicable City requirements.
Landscape plans were developed by California Wild Gardens . This external link is provided for attribution and additional background. The City does not endorse or guarantee third-party products or services, and inclusion of a plant or design feature in these plans does not constitute City approval for a particular property.
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