You’re looking at a landscape that works with your schedule, not against it. No more weekend maintenance headaches or water bills that make you cringe. Instead, you get a thoughtfully designed outdoor space that actually enhances your daily life.
Your neighbors notice the difference immediately. Clean lines, vibrant plants that thrive in our Bay Area climate, and hardscaping that looks like it belongs in Architectural Digest. More importantly, you notice the difference too—stepping outside feels like a retreat, not a reminder of everything you need to fix.
The best part? Everything’s designed to last. We’re talking about native plants that flourish with minimal water, irrigation systems that adjust to weather conditions, and materials that age beautifully instead of falling apart after two seasons.
We’ve been transforming Bay Area properties since 1975. That’s 50 years of understanding what works in Fruitdale’s unique microclimate, navigating local regulations, and building relationships with the area’s most discerning homeowners.
Larry Murphy, our founder, has designed landscapes for Silicon Valley executives from Apple, Yahoo, and the San Francisco 49ers. When you’re working with clients who demand excellence and have the resources to get it, you learn to deliver at a different level.
We’re family-operated, which means you’re not dealing with corporate bureaucracy or revolving-door project managers. The person who designs your landscape is the same person overseeing its installation and ensuring it exceeds your expectations.
We start with an in-person consultation at your property. No generic proposals or cookie-cutter solutions. We’re measuring, photographing, and understanding how you actually use your outdoor space—not how we think you should use it.
Next comes the design phase, where our 3D technology shows you exactly what your finished landscape will look like. You’ll see plant placement, hardscaping details, and lighting effects before we break ground. Changes are easy at this stage; expensive surprises are eliminated entirely.
Installation begins with guaranteed start and completion dates. Our licensed contractors handle everything while our project manager provides daily updates. You’re never wondering what’s happening or when it’ll be finished. The final walkthrough ensures every detail meets our standards—and yours.
Ready to get started?
Fruitdale homeowners face a reality that many other areas don’t: creating beautiful landscapes while respecting California’s water restrictions. The good news? Some of the most stunning residential landscaping we’ve seen uses 50% less water than traditional designs.
Native California plants aren’t just environmentally responsible—they’re gorgeous. Think vibrant salvias, architectural agaves, and ornamental grasses that move beautifully in our Bay Area breezes. Combined with smart irrigation systems that adjust to weather conditions, your landscape stays lush while your water bills stay reasonable.
Hardscaping plays a crucial role too. Permeable pavers, natural stone pathways, and strategically placed retaining walls don’t just look sophisticated—they help manage water runoff and reduce your overall irrigation needs. It’s landscape design that works with nature, not against it.
Residential landscaping projects in Fruitdale typically range from $15,000 to $150,000, depending on your property size and scope of work. A front yard refresh with drought-tolerant plants and new hardscaping might run $25,000-$45,000, while a complete backyard transformation with outdoor living areas, lighting, and water features often falls between $75,000-$125,000.
The investment makes sense when you consider property values in Fruitdale. Professional landscaping can add $10,000-$25,000 to your home’s value, and in a neighborhood where median home prices exceed $1.5 million, curb appeal matters significantly.
We provide detailed estimates after our initial consultation, breaking down design, materials, and installation costs so you understand exactly where your investment goes.
California native plants thrive in Fruitdale’s Mediterranean climate while using 75% less water than traditional landscaping. Some of our most successful plantings include lavender, rosemary, and sage for fragrant, low-maintenance groundcover, plus ornamental grasses like fountain grass and deer grass for texture and movement.
For structure and year-round interest, we often incorporate manzanita, California lilac, and toyon—plants that provide beautiful flowers, berries, and foliage while requiring minimal irrigation once established. Succulents like agave and aloe add architectural interest and virtually eliminate watering needs.
The key is grouping plants with similar water requirements and using mulch to retain soil moisture. Smart irrigation systems can reduce water usage by another 30-50% by adjusting to weather conditions and soil moisture levels automatically.
Most residential landscaping projects in Fruitdale take 2-6 weeks from start to finish, depending on complexity. A front yard renovation with new plantings and hardscaping typically requires 10-15 working days, while complete backyard transformations with outdoor kitchens, fire features, and extensive hardscaping often take 4-6 weeks.
Weather rarely delays projects significantly in our Bay Area climate, but we do avoid major excavation during heavy winter rains. We provide guaranteed start and completion dates—something most contractors won’t do—because we understand you’re planning around your landscape project.
The design phase adds 2-3 weeks before construction begins, but this time investment eliminates costly changes and ensures everything goes smoothly during installation.
Yes, we manage all necessary permits and HOA approvals as part of our project management service. Many Fruitdale neighborhoods have specific architectural guidelines, and some hardscaping projects require city permits for drainage or structural elements.
We’re familiar with local requirements and have established relationships with Fruitdale’s planning department and major HOAs in the area. This means faster approvals and fewer delays once your project begins.
Our 3D design capabilities are particularly helpful for HOA presentations—board members can see exactly what your finished landscape will look like, making approvals much more straightforward than traditional 2D drawings or verbal descriptions.
Our project management service covers everything from permit applications to final cleanup. You get a dedicated project manager who coordinates all contractors, schedules deliveries, and provides daily progress updates throughout construction.
We handle material ordering, quality control inspections, and problem-solving so you don’t have to manage multiple vendors or worry about installation details. If issues arise—and they sometimes do—we resolve them without involving you in contractor disputes or scheduling conflicts.
The final walkthrough includes a detailed explanation of your new irrigation system, plant care instructions, and warranty information. We don’t consider the project complete until you’re completely satisfied with every detail.
Budget control starts with detailed estimates that break down every aspect of your project—design, materials, labor, and permits. We use 3D modeling to finalize all design decisions before construction begins, eliminating expensive change orders that often derail budgets.
Our established relationships with suppliers and contractors mean predictable pricing and reliable scheduling. We also build a 10% contingency into larger projects to handle unforeseen conditions like underground utilities or drainage issues without budget surprises.
You receive regular updates on spending throughout the project, and any potential changes are discussed and approved before work proceeds. After 50 years in business, we’ve learned that staying on budget is just as important as staying on schedule.
Our Client's Reviews
Posted on Josh RubioTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Larry was absolutely fantastic to work with and his design was incredible. He was very detailed, thorough and graciously interactive with our vision, and produced a masterpiece for us. Total dream come true for our project.Posted on Sam PetersTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I hired Lakota Design Group to re-do my Front and Backyard landscaping. During the design process, Larry listened to all of my requirements & incorporated them. He showed me multiple options, and really worked with me to create an amazing design. We used one of his recommended contractors to install our project and Larry managed it all. They did great work, kept our property clean, and finished ahead of their estimated completion date. We are extremely happy with the final product. I strongly recommend Lakota Design Group for your landscape design and construction needs.Posted on Randy D. ThomasTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I recently hired Lakota Design Group to redesign our front yard. We needed a complete removal and replacement of both our hardscape and plants. Larry did an excellent job on the design. He was very patient with us as we made revisions and provided guidance throughout the process to help us choose a design style that we loved. Larry also recommended a contractor who gave us a reasonable price compared to other bids we received. Larry managed the installation from start to finish, making it effortless on our part. Larry's team completed the installation in just eight days, and the final result is fantastic! I highly recommend Larry and Lakota Design Group for your landscaping needs.Posted on Laura FerranteTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We had our front and back yard done by Larry and his team. Larry is very meticulous and detail oriented. He was very patient in taking my landscape ideas and then creating my dream landscape. We used one of his suggested contractors and are extremely happy with the outcome. We really enjoyed having Larry manage the project as we didn’t have to do a thing. Larry always kept us in the loop, supervised the progress, ensuring our satisfaction and meeting the agreed timeline. I would highly recommend Lakota Design Group for their landscape design and contracting services.Posted on Peter CoprivizaTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I am very happy with Larry’s design and creativity. His videos and graphics really helped the decision process. Jose and the team at Loya’s Landscaping are excellent craftsmen. They are hard workers who kept a clean worksite. I am very satisfied with the end product!
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