Business Details
Custom Sustainable Landscape Design Services
Creative Exteriors Landscape DSGN Landscape Design, founded by Susan Morrison, specializes in creating unique, sustainable gardens tailored to clients' lifestyles across California's East Bay. With over two decades of experience, we blend creativity and practicality to design spaces ranging from hillside estates to compact urban yards. Our process emphasizes environmental responsibility, incorporating hydrozone planning, native plants, and water-efficient strategies aligned with Rescape California and EBMUD guidelines. Featured in Sunset Magazine, Fine Gardening, and the San Francisco Chronicle, our work has earned recognition for transforming ordinary spaces into award-winning landscapes. We prioritize collaboration, guiding clients through every phase from initial consultation to contractor coordination. Our portfolio showcases diverse projects, including cocktail gardens, vertical gardening solutions, and multi-generational outdoor living areas.As a UC-certified designer and author of award-winning books like The Less is More Garden, Susan brings academic rigor and industry leadership to every project. Testimonials highlight our ability to enhance property values while creating functional, aesthetically pleasing environments that thrive year-round. We maintain active involvement in the horticultural community through speaking engagements, media contributions, and partnerships with organizations like Sunset Western Garden Collection. Our commitment to excellence is reflected in our meticulous documentation process, including CAD designs, plant palettes, and lighting plans that ensure seamless implementation.
Services
Garden Design
Sustainable Landscaping
Hydrozone Planning
Plant Selection
Vertical Gardening
Outdoor Lighting Design
Contractor Coordination
Design Consultation
Highlights and features
- We offer 20+ years of experience in sustainable landscape design
- Our designs featured in Sunset Magazine and Fine Gardening
- Collaborative process tailored to client budgets and visions
- Author of award-winning garden design publications
- Certified by UC Berkeley extension in garden design
What people say
Increased neighborhood beauty
Fantastic job
Amazing transformation
Collaborative approach
Visionary designs
Services
Garden Design
Custom garden designs that balance aesthetics and functionality. We create site-specific plans incorporating hardscapes, plant material, and lighting. Our approach prioritizes sustainable practices and client lifestyle needs while ensuring year-round visual appeal through strategic plant selection.
Sustainable Landscaping
Water-efficient landscaping solutions that reduce environmental impact. We implement drought-tolerant plantings, lawn-to-garden conversions, and hydrozone planning aligned with regional conservation guidelines. Our designs maintain beauty while minimizing resource consumption and maintenance requirements.
Vertical Gardening
Innovative vertical gardening techniques for small spaces. We design living walls, trellis systems, and elevated planters to maximize growing area. Our solutions incorporate structural considerations and irrigation planning to create functional, visually striking vertical landscapes.
Plant Selection
Expert plant palette development tailored to local climate conditions. We select regionally appropriate species with consideration for seasonal interest, wildlife habitat, and maintenance needs. Each selection includes detailed documentation with botanical names, growth characteristics, and placement guidelines.
Design Consultation
Comprehensive consultation services for landscape projects. We provide initial site assessments, design goal clarification, and preparation guidance for implementation. Our consultations include actionable recommendations and educational resources to empower informed decision-making throughout the design process.
People
Susan Morrison
Principal Designer
Landscape designer and author with 20+ years experience creating sustainable gardens. UC Berkeley-certified designer, Master Gardener since 2004, and award-winning author of The Less is More Garden. Featured in Sunset Magazine and Fine Gardening.
Questions
What areas do you serve?
We specialize in landscape design across California's East Bay region, including Concord, Danville, San Ramon, and surrounding communities.
Do you work with small spaces?
Yes, we specialize in maximizing small spaces using vertical gardening techniques and award-winning 'Less is More' design principles.
What's included in your design process?
Our process includes site analysis, concept planning, CAD documentation, plant selection, and contractor coordination with optional ongoing support.
Are your designs water-efficient?
All designs incorporate water-wise plants and hydrozone planning to meet EBMUD and Contra Costa Water District sustainability standards.
Can I see examples of your work?
Our portfolio showcases diverse projects featured in Sunset Magazine, San Francisco Chronicle, and Fine Gardening, including cocktail gardens and courtyard transformations.
Reviews (2)
Jon B.
Dec 29, 2019
Report
Susan Morrison of Creative Exteriors provided a wonderful design for a neglected and unimaginative front and rear yard for a home we recently purchased in Concord. She seemed to understand exactly what we had in mind and prepared a design including plant selections, plant placement, irrigation, pathway, and lighting that have transformed the landscape into an inviting, tranquil space that has added so much to our home.
Her knowledge of plant species and their color and texture and suitability for our climate, and her skills with appropriate plant and tree placement and irrigation and lighting design are truly impressive. We couldn't be happier with the result.
Her knowledge of plant species and their color and texture and suitability for our climate, and her skills with appropriate plant and tree placement and irrigation and lighting design are truly impressive. We couldn't be happier with the result.
Terrie T.
Nov 04, 2019
Report
I am so excited with the new yard that Susan designed for us. It is absolutely what our vision was. Susan addressed our needs and wants and designed a backyard oasis for us. She was quick to answer questions and made adjustments as needed. She recommended a landscape company for us that was absolutely awesome to work with, (Green team landscaping) and she coordinated with them thru out the project.
When a few issues came up she quickly adjusted to work with the space. We had a need to make sure all the plants where non toxic to dogs and went above and beyond making sure all of the plants where safe. The landscape incorporates native and low water needs, lighting, water system, and a gorgeous hardscape layout. Yard feels so much larger than what we started with and the flow around the house is amazing. I highly recommend Susan for your landscape needs.
When a few issues came up she quickly adjusted to work with the space. We had a need to make sure all the plants where non toxic to dogs and went above and beyond making sure all of the plants where safe. The landscape incorporates native and low water needs, lighting, water system, and a gorgeous hardscape layout. Yard feels so much larger than what we started with and the flow around the house is amazing. I highly recommend Susan for your landscape needs.
