Business Details
Our firm was established in 1995 by P. Louis Dixon, and we have been serving the San Francisco Bay Area ever since. We blend art, architecture, stone, wood, and water to provide balance and superior craftsmanship in every landscape environment. Our focus has always been the creation of outdoor living environments that rely on ecological and sustainable design principles. We implement a large variety of natural building materials to satisfy the needs of each individual client and project. Our principal holds degrees in Plant and Soil Science, landscape design, and natural resource management from Southern Illinois University. He also earned a certificate in Landscape Architecture from the University of California at Berkeley.
His professional background includes extensive work as a trained horticulturist, forester, and entomologist. We are dedicated to promoting green building practices, water conservation, and the use of California native plants on all projects. We consider cost estimating to be a valuable service and devote substantial time to creating reliable budgets during the planning process. We maintain active memberships in the American Society of Landscape Architects and the California Landscape Contractors Association. We provide the finest in creative landscape design and construction services to meet each individual's needs. We operate our business with a deep commitment to professional standards and client satisfaction.
His professional background includes extensive work as a trained horticulturist, forester, and entomologist. We are dedicated to promoting green building practices, water conservation, and the use of California native plants on all projects. We consider cost estimating to be a valuable service and devote substantial time to creating reliable budgets during the planning process. We maintain active memberships in the American Society of Landscape Architects and the California Landscape Contractors Association. We provide the finest in creative landscape design and construction services to meet each individual's needs. We operate our business with a deep commitment to professional standards and client satisfaction.
Highlights and features
- Our operational experience spans over three decades since 1995.
- We hold active memberships in ASLA and CLCA professional associations.
- Our founder is a trained horticulturist, forester, and entomologist.
- We provide reliable cost estimating integrated into the design process.
- We are dedicated to green building practices and water conservation.
Services
Landscape Design
Our landscape design service creates outdoor environments that blend art and architecture with ecological principles. We tailor each plan to individual needs, offering conceptual or detailed designs depending on project scale. Clients benefit from a creative process that prioritizes balance, beauty, and long-term sustainability.
Landscape Construction
We provide comprehensive landscape construction that brings design concepts to completion with superior craftsmanship. Our team utilizes a large variety of natural building materials to execute projects reliably. Homeowners and businesses receive finished landscapes that are structurally sound and aesthetically refined.
Water Features
Our water feature installations integrate water as a central element to enhance tranquility and visual appeal in outdoor spaces. We design these features using natural materials to complement the surrounding landscape architecture. The result is a balanced environment that adds movement and a calming presence to any garden.
Permaculture
Our permaculture services focus on creating self-sustaining ecosystems that align with our ecological design principles. We incorporate native plants and water conservation strategies to build resilient landscapes. Property owners gain a productive, low-maintenance environment that works in harmony with nature.
Outdoor Kitchens
We design and construct outdoor kitchens that extend living spaces into the garden with functional beauty. These custom installations are built using durable, natural materials suited to the Bay Area climate. Clients can entertain and cook outdoors while enjoying a seamless integration with their surrounding landscape.
Reviews (4)
Alisha G.
Aug 09, 2019
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Lou Dixon and his crew are outstanding. We hired them last year to overhaul our large front and back yards. Lou took the time to walk through with us and discuss things carefully. He balanced our own ideas with his long experience and expertise and put forth a proposal that was excellent. The team worked hard and Lou worked right alongside them - with great attention to detail. Many aspects of the work were challenging, but they were up for the task: new deck for a hottub, leveling the back yard, creating a raised garden and new fence/ entry way in the front and so on.
The final work was better than could be imagined. They delivered on time and on budget. We are incredibly happy and receiving compliments from passers by all the time. I highly recommend considering Bio Friendly Gardens for landscaping.
The final work was better than could be imagined. They delivered on time and on budget. We are incredibly happy and receiving compliments from passers by all the time. I highly recommend considering Bio Friendly Gardens for landscaping.
B. L.
Jun 22, 2017
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I called Bio Friendly Gardens in November for an estimate to put in retaining walls in our lower backyard which has a steep slope. We had Bio Friendly Gardens landscape our front and upper backyard 2 years ago and we're extremely happy with the results so we wanted them to landscape our lower backyard. Lou came out, looked over the area, and discussed the plans of what we wanted. 6 months later our project was started (he is quite busy because he does such good work). Lou was on the job site everyday supervising the project and making sure everything was done correctly. His crew were very hard working, even in the 100 degree heat wave we had. After 6 weeks, we now have a beautiful backyard that exceeded our expectations. We would recommend him without reservations.
Betsy G.
Feb 02, 2016
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Lou Dixon is a magician. He knows design, he knows plants and planting, and he knows budgets. Just over three years ago Lou and his crew transformed our corner lot into a meadow oasis. He used branches pruned from our cedar tree for railings and an arch over the gate which is also clad with copper panels scavenged from recycled sofar panels! He produced huge rounds of wood cut from a trunk he had stored for steps coming down to the gate.
He installed several large boulders and his positioning of them is spot on. Now, all this time later, work we did to add a light caused other lights to stop working and Lou came back on a cold, damp, and darkening evening and fixed the problem for us. I can't recommend him highly enough. His work is beautiful and well thought out and it lasts.
He installed several large boulders and his positioning of them is spot on. Now, all this time later, work we did to add a light caused other lights to stop working and Lou came back on a cold, damp, and darkening evening and fixed the problem for us. I can't recommend him highly enough. His work is beautiful and well thought out and it lasts.
Am M.
Aug 07, 2015
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Lou and his crew just finished building us the deck of our dreams. Clean, modern aesthetic - sunken hot tub, fire pit, kids' play area - and lovely well-integrated design created with thoughtful care and a deep understanding of the complexities of building on and in the Berkeley Hills. Lou is clearly an artist - respectful of space and a thinker of how his clients will use the space he is creating. But, Lou is also very practical - keeping things within an agreed-upon budget, offering creative solutions to complex problems, demonstrating a deep know-how on all elements of construction from the ground up.
He communicated with us each step of the way, and finished the project on time - with amazing efficiency. He and his hard-working team were kind, clean, and incredibly capable. We are thrilled with his work, and recommend him without reservation.
He communicated with us each step of the way, and finished the project on time - with amazing efficiency. He and his hard-working team were kind, clean, and incredibly capable. We are thrilled with his work, and recommend him without reservation.
