Landscape Design & Renovation

We take a systematic, data-driven approach to landscape renovation that considers your property’s unique challenges, opportunities, and budget.

Our process at Bemus Landscape includes:

Consultation – We start by listening to your goals, assessing your current landscape, and understanding your property’s specific needs, from water conservation to pedestrian flow.

Master Planning – Our experienced designers develop a comprehensive, phased plan that aligns with your long-term vision and maximizes ROI through strategic improvements and cost-saving measures.

Design Development – We create detailed design concepts that showcase our proposed plant palette, hardscape elements, and amenity upgrades, all carefully selected to thrive in Southern California’s microclimates and meet your aesthetic preferences.

Installation – Our skilled landscape installation crews bring the design to life using industry best practices, quality materials, and meticulous attention to detail. We prioritize communication and coordination to minimize disruption to your operations.

Ongoing Support – Our landscape maintenance team provides ongoing maintenance and enhancements to ensure your renovated landscape continues to perform optimally and adapt to changing needs over time.

Here are some of the key ways that landscape design can enhance a business’s image and branding:

Cohesive design aesthetic – A harmonious and memorable look and feel can be achieved by seamlessly integrating landscape design with building architecture and graphic branding.

Brand-aligning plants and materials – Incorporating textures, colors, and California native plant varieties that complement logo hues and other brand elements reinforces branding through the landscape.

Inspiring hardscaping – Hardscape materials can imitate brand shapes, patterns, and artistic styles found in signage, packaging, or web design.

Immersive sensory elements – Sensory elements such as water features, fragrant plants, and artistic fences create a memorable brand experience.

Distinguishing landmark features – Distinctive landmarks such as sculptures, water features, and exceptional plants can serve as unique brand elements.

Inspiring signage and decor – Using logo signs, branded decor, and artwork in a thoughtful manner can help to reinforce your brand identity.

When landscape design is thoughtfully aligned with a brand’s overall look, personality, and emotions, it becomes an engaging extension of the brand.

Following are some key landscape design elements that can make your commercial property more inviting and a memorable experience for customers:

Welcoming Entryway – Create an inviting entrance with attractive plantings, colorful flowers, or lush greenery. Adding welcoming features like signage, decorative lighting, or architectural elements can also enhance the entry experience.

Clear wayfinding elements – Clear walking paths, appealing signage, and proper lighting assist customers in navigating through the property with ease.

Water Features – Incorporate water features such as fountains, ponds, or waterfalls to add a sense of tranquility and visual appeal. The sound of running water can create a relaxing atmosphere and serve as a focal point within the landscape.

Inviting seating/waiting areas – Strategically placed benches, tables, and shelters provide customers with comfortable spots to rest, relax, and socialize.

Alluring parking lot landscaping – Adding islands, shade trees, and buffers to parking areas enhances their visual appeal and improves navigation.

Lush focal points – Water features, specimen trees, and gardens are great ways to add visual interest to a landscape. They capture attention and enhance the area’s overall aesthetic appeal.

Accessible and clean walkways – Wide paths with gentle slopes, rails, and smooth surfaces help accommodate visitors of all mobility levels.

Practical shade structures – Pergolas, canopies, shade sails, and trees provide protection from the sun at entrances, walkways, and seating areas.

Safety lighting – Proper illumination is essential to ensure safe and secure navigation during the dusk and evening hours, especially when using the property for an extended period.

Directional flow – Clear pedestrian traffic patterns, cues, and wayfinding techniques subtly guide visitors.

Thoughtful placement and integration of interactive landscape features drive engagement, enjoyment, and accessibility for commercial property visitors and customers.

ollowing are some ways to incorporate eco-friendly features into a landscape design:

Use native plants – Selecting native plants tailored to the local environment conserves water, reduces maintenance, and provides habitat value.

Reduce turf areas – Replace water-intensive lawns with drought-tolerant groundcovers, native grasses, or low-water plants to conserve water and create a more diverse, sustainable landscape.

Sustainable materials – Using locally sourced stones, sustainably harvested wood, recycled-content furnishings, etc. reduces environmental impact.

Water conservation – Drought-tolerant landscaping, high-efficiency irrigation, permeable hardscapes, and rainwater harvesting reduce water usage.

Capture rainwater – Use rain gardens, bioswales, and permeable pavers to collect and filter stormwater runoff, reducing the burden on local water treatment systems and recharging groundwater.

Implement water-wise irrigation – Install efficient irrigation systems like drip lines, smart controllers, and weather-based sensors to reduce water waste and ensure plants receive only the water they need.

Organic practices – Utilizing natural fertilizers, pest control, and soil health practices by avoiding chemicals.

Composting – Dedicated compost areas support on-site organic waste recycling.

Renewable energy features – Incorporating solar lighting, water heating, and other renewables reduces grid dependence.

Low-impact garden features – Using stepping stones, patios with gaps, gravel, and decks minimizes hard surfaces.

Charging stations – Adding EV charging capabilities encourages clean transportation access.

Promote biodiversity – Create habitats for local wildlife by including a variety of native plants, bird and pollinator gardens, and water features like ponds or bird baths.

Pollinator-friendly plants – Choosing flowering varieties that attract pollinators aids declining insect populations.

Blending these environmentally-conscious elements creates sustainable landscapes aligned with eco-values.

When choosing plants for a low-maintenance landscape in Southern California, selecting species that can thrive in the region’s distinct climate and soil conditions is crucial. Following are some recommended planting options that can help minimize maintenance requirements:

Native plants – Opt for California native species like sage, manzanita, and ceanothus. These plants are naturally adapted to the area’s dry summers and wet winters, needing minimal irrigation and fertilization once established.

Drought-tolerant plants – Consider succulents, agave, aloe, and yucca, which can withstand periods of drought due to their ability to store water in their leaves. These plants require minimal supplemental irrigation.

Mediterranean plants – Many plants from other Mediterranean climates like lavender, rosemary, and olive trees thrive in Southern California’s similar conditions and require little water or maintenance.

Groundcovers – Use low-growing groundcovers like yarrow, creeping thyme, or sedums to fill in areas between larger plants, suppress weeds, and reduce the need for mowing or edging.

Slow-growing species – Select slow-growing trees and shrubs like oak, manzanita, or California lilac that require less frequent pruning and shaping to maintain their form.

Evergreens – Incorporate evergreen plants like toyon, lemonade berry, or coffeeberry that provide year-round interest and structure without the need for constant cleanup of fallen leaves or flowers.

Plants with similar requirements – Group plants with similar water, sun, and soil requirements together to streamline irrigation and care routines and reduce the risk of over- or underwatering.

Mulch-friendly plants – Choose plants that benefit from a layer of organic mulch, which helps retain moisture, suppress weeds, and reduce the need for frequent watering or herbicide application.

Pest and disease-resistant varieties – Select plant varieties that are naturally resistant to common pests and diseases in Southern California, reducing the need for chemical treatments or frequent replacement.

Xeriscaping principles – Embrace the principles of xeriscaping, which emphasizes the use of drought-tolerant plants, efficient irrigation, and water-wise design to create a landscape that requires minimal supplemental water or maintenance.

When selecting specific plant varieties, consider factors like sun exposure, soil type, and mature size to ensure they are well-suited to your property’s unique conditions. A skilled landscape professional with knowledge of Southern California’s flora can help you choose the right plants for your low-maintenance landscape and provide guidance on proper installation and care techniques to ensure their long-term health and performance.