
Modern Landscape Design Ideas
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May 24, 2022Increase your curb appeal and make your outdoor space amazing with these Southern California landscape design ideas.
The climate in Southern California is ideal for outdoor living. Warm summers and mild winters means you can enjoy your outdoor space year round. Your yard is an opportunity to expand on your living space. Having a beautiful landscape outside is as important as having an aesthetically pleasing home inside. That's why we have compiled these 10 Southern California Landscape Ideas You're Sure to Love
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1. Shaded Area
Southern California is considered a Mediterranean climate. Los Angeles county is generally known for having mild winters and hot summers. That means that when the sun is shining in the dog days of summer, it can feel sweltering. Having a shady area as a respite from the heat is a welcome addition to your Southern California landscape.
2. Create Outdoor Rooms
Given the desirable California climate, it’s natural to want to spend as much time as you can outdoors. Make your outdoor spaces an extension of your indoor living spaces with areas to relax, connect with friends and family, and enjoy nature. Create “rooms” outside to increase your living area. Add an outdoor kitchen, a bar area, and a space to sit and chat. This is a great landscape idea in California.
3. Add a Pool Oasis
There’s nothing more refreshing than a dip in a swimming pool on a hot summer day. Inground pools can transform your backyard into an at home resort. With so many design options, you can build a pool that perfectly suits your needs and landscape design. Adding a swimming pool, or renovating an existing pool, will also increase your home’s value if you ever decide to sell.


4. Add Tropical Plants
Transform your landscape into an exotic garden by introducing tropical plants. Choose plants with dramatic foliage and flowers in hot, bright colors. Vary the heights and colors to add excitement. Go bold with hardy palms with big leaves and bright florals like the Bird of Paradise. These are a great addition to your backyard, and can be extended around to your front yard too. This will increase curb appeal, and spruce up the area around your paved driveway.
5. Create Privacy
If you live in a densely populated area, privacy may be considered a hard to attain luxury. Imagine your neighbors watching you as you swim in your pool, or if your beautiful backyard patio faces your neighbor’s junked car. Having a private area to enjoy peacefully with your family should not be overlooked. Add a beautiful wood fence that adds architectural interest. Add a focal point wall, or build a privacy wall into your outdoor space. Privacy can be created through interest pieces in your backyard, and fit the California design.
6. Drought Friendly Landscape
Southern California’s blistering summer temperatures can be a lot for some plants to handle. They can require A LOT of water to keep them healthy and thriving. Incorporating a drought tolerant landscape in your design idea is a great solution to the water shortage in Southern California, and will also save you hundreds on your water bill. There are a multitude of landscape design ideas that include drought tolerant plants that you can add. You can also incorporate gravel and hardscape into your plans.


7. Fire Pit or Fire Place
Despite the hot summer days that California is known for, temperatures do go down in the evenings and over the winter months. Gathering with your family and friends around a fire pit roasting marshmallows is a perfect way to spend a summer night. Sitting on your patio under a blanket in front of your outdoor fireplace is an ideal winter evening. Not only are fire areas functional, but they are also a beautiful California landscape idea!
8. Green and Sustainable Landscaping
Artificial turf has come a long way over the years. Today’s artificial grass is extremely realistic looking. As we know, grass can be hard to keep green, especially in the heat of Southern California. Artificial grass requires no irrigation or potentially hazardous fertilizers, so it’s much more environmentally friendly. Mowing is not needed, and it stays plush and green all year round.
9. Incorporate Native Plants & Trees
There are a myriad of plants and trees that are native to Southern California and thrive in hot, dry conditions. Native plants create an ideal habitat for local wildlife, and most require very little maintenance. Wild Rye is a beautiful ornamental grass that is native to Southern California and makes a great addition to your landscape. And the California Poppy, California’s state flower, produces beautiful orange blooms starting in early Spring. These plants are a great ideas to incorporate into your design.
10. Add a Deck
One of the best ways to take full advantage of your landscape is to add an inviting deck to your backyard. What good is a beautiful yard if there’s nowhere to sit outside and enjoy it? Decks can be custom built exactly to your specifications, so you are sure to get the outdoor living space of your dreams. The perfect spot for a grill and outdoor table, a deck is a great idea to any Southern California landscape design.


Well, there you have it - 10 Southern California Landscaping Ideas we are sure you are going to fall in love with. Our team at Green Advisors wants to be here for all of it! Be sure to get in touch with us to discuss all of your landscaping needs. Give us a call at 888-869-0987