Native Plants

Through a Modern Lens

Madroño is a licensed landscape design/build firm in San Francisco specializing in California native plants and modern materials.

Inspiring landscapes
with Bay Area identity

Put yourself back in the garden with an intelligently designed, well built, and thoughtfully maintained landscape. Whether you want a lively space for entertaining or a sanctuary for meditation, an orchard of natural discovery for your children or an oasis of green fields for your retirement, we bring ideal environments to life.

Modern Landscape Design

MODERN Landscape DESIGN

We bring a new vision to every project, seeking novel design answers to old garden problems. Our projects break free from cliché with vertical landscapes and roof gardens, stormwater capture and reuse programs, architectural fences and decks, low-voltage LED lighting, native habitat to attract butterflies and birds, high-density urban edibles, and other good ideas from our drafting table.

Hardscaping

QUALITY CONSTRUCTION

Our projects are distinguished by fine materials, superior craftsmanship, and high levels of communication, combining to produce beautiful and sustainable landscapes with Bay Area identity. We weave native plants and quality resources through a modern lens to put color, texture, and aroma into the built landscape. Licensed landscape contractor, California C-27 lic. 980160.

California Native Plants

GARDEN MAINTENANCE SERVICES

We approach the job of ongoing care with a designer’s eye, seeking to nurture the healthy development of both the individual plant and the quality and stature of the overall landscape. Residential, commercial, and industrial jobs all welcome. We’d love to develop a long-term relationship with your garden; let’s get acquainted.

Why Madroño?

Relationship-Oriented

To embark on any kind of home improvement project is to start a relationship. We give you our word, and stand by our work. Our best clients have been with us for decades.

Licensed & Insured

Madroño holds C-27 license 980160 and California contractor’s bond #30132295, maintains workers compensation at state-mandated levels, and carries automobile & general liability policies with million-dollar limits.

Highest Rated

We earn consistent 5-star reviews on Google, Yelp, Facebook Pages, and Angi.

Unconditional Guarantee

We take pride in our services, and offer an unconditional guarantee for the protection and assurance of our clients. Learn more about our warranties.

Native Plants

Wherever possible, we use locally appropriate California native plants; they are beautiful, attractive to beneficial wildlife, drought-tolerant, low maintenance, and – most importantly – they evoke deep identity of place.

Water Conservation

Our planting palettes of mostly natives consume far less water than lawns, rose gardens, and other “traditional” landscape elements. We also can help you store and redirect rainwater, a great environmental boon.

Recent News & Projects

California Passes Rainwater Catchment Act
California Passes Rainwater Catchment Act

California Assembly Bill 1750 was signed by Governor Jerry Brown today to enact the Rainwater Capture Act of 2012, a significant new measure clarifying that the use of rainwater captured from rooftops does not require a water right permit from the State Water...

read more
Native Carex and Iris in Miraloma Park
Native Carex and Iris in Miraloma Park

Score a point for the city planners: their new landscaping at the Stanford Heights Reservoir, in the San Francisco neighborhood of Miraloma Park uses locally appropriate native plants in simple bold strokes of panache. The design is a triumph of simplicity. We are so...

read more
A Word on Modern Fences
A Word on Modern Fences

Urban living means density, and for city back yards that means fencing: we need clean lines of agreement on where my property ends and yours begins. But so many existing fences in the city are ugly, common, built on the cheap, installed by rote with no insight, like...

read more

#BUILTBYMadrono

Whole lotta willow en route to a gratified client #salix #wovenwillowfence #builtbymadrono
A dozen years later, this Ceanothus ‘Dark Star’ we planted for a hilltop client in San Francisco continues to dazzle. #californianativeplants #builtbymadrono
Recirculating waterfall with California native plants and Japanese koi. #gardendesign #waterfeature #builtbymadrono
Retaining wall and “green screen” of fast-growing vines including California native wild grape. #builtbymadrono
Stone footpath under construction. #gardenwhimsy #builtbymadrono
Handsome Dr.Hurd manzanita en route to another satisfied customer. #arctostaphylos #manzanita #californianativeplants #builtbymadrono
Up on the roof! 🎶 #modern #roofdeck #builtbymadrono
Japanese-style fence overlooking the city. #builtbymadrono
Native wildflowers and a recirculating waterfall distinguish this front yard garden in SF’s Forest Hill neighborhood. #builtbymadrono
Truck load of happiness en route to a satisfied client.  #californianativeplants #builtbymadrono
Fancy fencework. #ipe #carpentry #builtbymadrono
Garden stair stringer with Ipe cladding. #builtbymadrono

CUSTOMER REVIEWS

google
Pawan Adhikari
February 24, 2025

Geoff and his team at Madroño transformed our overgrown backyard, once dominated by invasive blackberries and vines, into a beautifully landscaped, terraced garden. The project included building a hardwood deck, stairs, and fences, as well as terracing the sloping garden into distinct areas connected by meandering paths. They also constructed retaining walls to create a flat, functional space. From the outset, Geoff’s meticulous attention to detail stood out. He ensured a surveyor marked the property lines, designed the landscaping to harmonize naturally with the slope, and carefully considered our concerns, including cost. We wanted a low-maintenance garden, and Geoff’s expertise in local flora proved invaluable. He recommended drought-tolerant native plants, including a local grass variety that thrives without watering. When unexpected issues arose—such as aligning the deck with the house—Geoff resolved them efficiently, even pouring cement to achieve a seamless result. Geoff also thoughtfully incorporated spaces for our children, designing areas for a sandbox and a playhouse. Throughout the project, he remained highly accessible and committed to delivering his best work. The transformation has dramatically enhanced our garden’s aesthetics, usability, and even the resale value of our home. Beyond his exceptional skills, Geoff is one of the kindest people we’ve had the pleasure of working with. His knowledge of Bay Area flora is remarkable—he once owned a nursery specializing in native plants and has even published on the subject. Madroño is truly one of a kind. You simply cannot go wrong with them!

google
Todd H
November 26, 2024

Madrono installed a rainwater harvesting system and did a great job. The crew was super friendly, the work was quality and the system works great. They were very knowledgeable about the process and had some great ideas on how to maximize the output of our system. Thanks!

google
Madeleine Robins
November 17, 2024

An excellent experience. Geoff's patience with clients who don't garden (and therefore could not tell him exactly what we wanted) was amazing. The team was responsive to questions and feedback, offered ideas and solutions, and clearly took pride and ownership of what they were creating. Throughout the experience--design through substantial demolition through the creation of a beautiful, livable, relaxing space--it was clear that everyone from the top down cared about making our back yard the best it could be. 10/10 would hire again.

google
Clint Seiter
October 15, 2024

For a long time, I wanted to have a professionally landscaped backyard garden to serve as a special retreat for me. I finally decided on Madrono Landscape Design, and the owner, Geoffrey Coffey was very helpful in laying out a landscape that reflected the type of garden I had envisioned, sort of a "controlled jungle". I didn't cut corners finance wise, but I am very happy with the results. Geoff suggested various flowers and shrubs, plus incorporating what plants I did have already into the new design, including a drip irrigation system. Now I just have to wait for the shrubs and vines to grow to maturity to get the garden that I've always wanted.

google
MPIC President
October 15, 2024

We hired Madrono Landscape Design to implement the redesign of the Miraloma Park Improvement Club native plant garden. Geoff met with us multiple times at the project site to go over the detailed goals that we required including staying within our limited budget. Geoff offered many suggestions and was always responsive by phone and email. He prepared a detailed contract, general site, drainage, elevation and planting plans for the project. The lead foreman Daniel and crew were very professional. The extremely hard soil conditions made the project much more challenging to (1) grade the soil, (2) install a lot of drainage pipes, (3) install a crushed gravel path and circle, (4) created a walking path, (5) installing new plants and (6) removing a huge amount of old pavers installed in the 1940s and repurposing them to redirect rainwater runoff from our adjacent parking lot into the garden. The crew also removed a huge amount of dead vegetation and trimmed many trees which allowed a lot more light. Geoff later helped us to identify which of the existing and new plants would be best for educational signage. We are very happy with the results.

google
Scott Fisher
September 28, 2024

When we needed to replace leaky roof decks, Madroño delivered. We're thoroughly delighted with the end result. Geoffrey and his team, including Daniel and Tomas, were exceptional to work with. Beyond fixing the structural problems, we wanted to enhance our outdoor space. We had a few ideas before we started, but Geoff’s very practical recommendations and design additions really elevated the end result from usable space to “show stopper.” Geoff was respectful of our budget. He provided an array of cost-conscious options, helped us understand tradeoffs, and was a supportive thought partner throughout the design process. The renovation has significantly increased our usable space, and it's now a favorite spot for our family and friends to hang out. Thanks to Madroño for a fantastic experience and outstanding results!

google
Duncan Robertson
July 31, 2024

I recently engaged Geoff and Madroño Landscape Design Studio for a maintenance project at my home in San Francisco, and I could not be happier with the outcome. Geoff is responsive and helpful, and his colleagues were friendly and thorough, and I will certainly work with Geoff and his team again in future.

google
Jeffrey Moss
July 11, 2024

It was a big complicated project involving a neighbor, a large retaining wall, and structural engineering. The end result was beyond my expectations. There were hiccups along the way, but none were the fault of Madrono. Geoffrey is a good communicator and his crew were excellent. Not only is an old and failing retaining wall replaced, but I have a beautiful California native garden and more usable space in my yard.

Make A Connection

We’d love to strike up a relationship with you and your garden. Let’s get acquainted.

Certified LBE - San Francisco
American Society of Landscape Architects
California Landscape Contractors Association
CaliforniaFIRST Energy Saving Financing Registered Contractor
Green Infrastructure SFPUC Trained
MADROÑO LANDSCAPE DESIGN STUDIO, INC.

About Us

The strength of creative vision to imagine your ideal garden is only the first step in our partnership. Next, we commit to the concept and build it with the most durable, highest quality materials. Gratified clients engage Madroño for ongoing maintenance, making it a long-term relationship.

Our Services

Landscape Design
Construction & Build
Garden Maintenance
Stonework
Water Features
Landscape Lighting
Fences

Contact Us

Mailing Address:
58 West Portal Ave
San Francisco, CA 94127