We’ve designed a broad range of landscape styles for clients in Mill Valley, ranging from naturalistic havens to sleekly modern landscapes. A typical client seeks to balance the urban sophistication of nearby San Francisco with the wooded serenity of the native landscape. Whatever the style, we prioritize a harmonious relationship with the surrounding landscape, capitalizing on the shade, views, and other unique opportunities each site offers.

Mill Valley’s mild climate tolerates a wide variety of species, and we always recommend speaking with local nurseries for the best insight on local top performers. This said Ceanothus, Manzanitas, Artemisia, and Salvias are all staple landscape plants in the area. Many species in these genera are native – this means they’ll offer exceptional habitat value, and require less effort on your end to thrive. For floral color, try Achillea or Epilobium canum. Muhlenbergia rigens and Festuca idahoensis are popular grass species, while ferns like Woodwardia fimbriata and Blechnum spicant work well in areas shaded by tree canopy. Speaking of trees, Madrone and Cercis occidentalis are great natives, though Olives and Japanese Maples are popular non-native tree choices in Mill Valley.

With the shifting topography and extensive tree cover, microclimates are a huge factor when designing in Mill Valley. Climates range from dry, steep, south-facing hillsides to fully shaded canyons and creek bottoms. Shady redwood groves and sunny oak and grassland knolls can all be found within a small area. On the whole, it never gets too hot or too cold compared to other parts of Marin County, but the southwest side of town can see considerably more days of fog and wind than the east in Summer. The hilly terrain also often presents issues having to do with drainage, stormwater management, and hillside stabilization.

Now! Any time of year is great to begin work on a landscape project. When possible, we suggest utilizing the winter to work through the design phase – this sets you up to get on contractors’ books early in the build season, so you can have your design installed and ready to enjoy in time for summer. If winter has passed, don’t worry, it’s never too late in the year to begin work on a landscape design project.

We are happy to work with clients to develop designs that meet their level of comfort around fire safety. Choosing fire-resistant plant species and following best practices for fire-safe landscape design are options that our designers are happy to employ at a client’s request. While design can help reduce your risk of fire damage, it’s important to note, that there are no fire-proof plants, and maintenance is the most important determinant of a landscape’s fire safety. Want to learn more? Check out Fire Safe Marin’s plant recommendations.