Landscape Design in Brentwood
Gardens shaped by canyon air, marine layer, and mature canopy
Brentwood sits where the Santa Monica Mountains meet the coastal plain, and its gardens borrow from both. Canyon lots in Mandeville and Sullivan feel almost rural, the streets south of Sunset are lined with mature sycamore and coral trees, and the marine layer keeps summers gentler than the Valley. Orchard designs, builds, and maintains landscapes across the neighborhood, from canyon estates to Brentwood Park lots and hillside homes above Kenter.
Our approach favors gardens that look at home here: strong structure near the house, native and Mediterranean planting beyond it, and outdoor rooms that get used every day rather than admired from inside.
Neighborhoods we serve in Brentwood
Brentwood Park, Mandeville Canyon, Sullivan Canyon, Kenter Canyon, Crestwood Hills, Brentwood Glen, Bundy Canyon, South of San Vicente
Designing for Brentwood
Canyon lots and hillside homes
Mandeville, Sullivan, and Kenter Canyon properties often back onto open chaparral and sit inside a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone. We treat defensible space as a design opportunity: an open, ember-resistant zone close to the house becomes a terrace or gravel garden, and the planted slopes beyond use spaced natives such as toyon, ceanothus, and coast live oak that are both beautiful and lower in fuel.
Hillside work in the City of Los Angeles is governed by the Baseline Hillside Ordinance and reviewed by LADBS. We handle grading plans, retaining wall design, and drainage as part of the project so the hillside stays put.
Brentwood Park and the flats
South of Sunset the lots are wider and flatter, the canopy is mature, and gardens can be more composed. We often keep a protected sycamore or oak as the anchor, build a generous terrace and a right-sized lawn, and let layered planting soften the edges. Protected trees require city review before pruning or building nearby, and we plan around them.
Planting for the marine layer
Morning fog and cooler summers mean Brentwood can grow a broader palette than inland Los Angeles: coastal natives, Mediterranean shrubs, and even some cool-climate perennials thrive here. We choose plants for the specific exposure of each garden, sunny south slopes versus shaded canyon floors, and irrigate with efficient drip systems that qualify for LADWP water-saving programs when turf is removed.
Brentwood FAQ
Do landscape projects in Brentwood require permits?
Hardscape, retaining walls, grading, and work near protected trees usually require review by the City of Los Angeles through LADBS. Hillside lots fall under the Baseline Hillside Ordinance. We manage the process as part of construction.
What fire-safety requirements apply near Mandeville Canyon?
Properties in the Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone must maintain defensible space, including an ember-resistant zone right around the house and spaced, well-maintained planting on slopes. We design the garden to meet those standards while keeping it lush.
Can you remove our lawn and replace it with a drought-tolerant garden?
Yes. We design native and Mediterranean gardens that replace thirsty turf with year-round structure and seasonal bloom, and we install efficient irrigation. Turf removal may qualify for LADWP rebate programs.
How does the marine layer affect plant choices in Brentwood?
Cooler, foggier mornings broaden the palette and reduce water stress. We select plants for each garden’s exposure so shaded canyon floors and sunny slopes each get what thrives there.
Do you handle ongoing maintenance?
Yes. Our care program tends the gardens we build, with pruning, irrigation adjustments, and seasonal replanting.