Penning Landscapes: Our Napa-Based Design, Build & Maintenance Experts
The Penning Family's Lifelong Journey in Landscaping
Penning Landscapes was founded by Lou Penning, who’s passion for plants and landscapes grew while working as a gardener at Joseph Phelps Vineyard in Napa. His creativity and expertise quickly led him to independently design and create enduring landscapes, paving the way for our lifelong study of the intricate balance between plants, water, and soil.
Recognizing the unique challenges of Northern California's environment—such as relentless heat, varying soils, and water scarcity—Lou honed his understanding of what thrives in the region's microclimates. His holistic approach, grounded in the belief that landscapes are living entities that evolve over time, he sought to create spaces that would not only be beautiful at planting but would continue to develop and thrive for decades.
Under the leadership of his son Ben Penning, we continue to apply Lou’s holistic methodology to our services, encompassing design, build, maintenance, and plant health. Rooted in long-term expertise of Napa Valley’s and Northern California’s soil, water, and climate, we remain committed to nurturing our clients’ vision for outdoor living spaces. Our team doesn’t just build gardens; we carefully watch over them, ensuring they flourish and thrive for generations to come.
More than 50 Penning Team Members are Ready to Support You:
4 Designers & Landscape Architects
3 Irrigation Experts
1 Enhancement Crew
Vegetable Gardener
6 Maintenance Crews
4 Construction Crews
Plant Health & Resilience Experts
14 in Management, Operations & Admin
Meet the Team Behind Penning Landscapes’ Enduring Outdoor Designs
Ben Penning
President
Years of Experience: 20+
Degrees & Certifications:
- Bachelor of Arts, San Diego State University
- Irrigation Auditor
- Qualified Applicator Certificate (QAC)
- Bay Friendly Certified
Most rewarding part of your job: The partnerships with clients and their families that last for years.
Wendy Carter Jordan
Office Manager & Bookkeeper
Years of Experience: 20+
Favorite plant & why: Favorite flower is the Dahlia. They are beautiful and delicate with plenty of character and come in a wide variety of flower shapes, sizes and colors.
Most rewarding part of your job: I love working with our passionate and caring team!
Katy Kabbe
Landscape Architect & Operations Manager
Years of Experience: 15
Degrees & Certifications:
- Bachelor of Arts in Landscape Architecture, UC Berkeley
- Licensed California State Landscape Architect
Most rewarding part of your job: Working with the talented and dedicated team at Penning Landscapes.
Sha-Khan Starks
Lead Installation Manager
Years of Experience: 15
Degrees & Certifications:
- Bachelor of Arts in Landscape Architecture, UC Berkeley
- Master Gardener Trained
Most rewarding part of your job: When we convert our install clients into maintenance clients. The client choosing to continue their partnership with Penning means that we’ve delivered a superior product.
Gemme Von Knopka
Vegetable Garden Manager
Years of Experience: 20+
Degrees & Certifications:
- Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies
Most rewarding part of your job: I love seeing the progress of the plants grown from a seed until production - it's pretty amazing!
Cody Thomas
Irrigation & Water Resource Manager
Years of Experience: 20+
Degrees & Certifications:
- CLCA Certified Irrigation Technician
- Irrigator Tech Certified Irrigation Technician
- Qualified Water Efficient Landscaper (QWEL)
Most rewarding part of your job: I love solving complex challenges and implementing innovative solutions to conserve water and improve the efficiency of our client’s irrigation systems.
Ali White
Maintenance Account Manager
Years of Experience: 20+
Degrees & Certifications:
- Bachelor of Arts in Biology
- Bachelor of Science in Plant Science
- Rescape Qualified Professional
- Qualified Water Efficient Landscaper (QWEL)
- Urban Forester Certified
Most rewarding part of your job: Bringing joy to clients and employees!
Steve Cole
Maintenance Account Manager
Years of Experience: 20+
Degrees & Certifications:
- Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration, California State University Fullerton
- ISA Certified Arborist
- Qualified Applicators License
Favorite plant & why: I love the coast tea tree (Leptospermum laevigatum) because of its twisted trunk, small leaves, and unassuming white flowers. It reminds me of trips to the arboretum with my grandmother as a child.
Erick Roldan
Maintenance Account Manager
Years of Experience: 7
Degrees & Certifications:
- Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration
- Irrigation Installation Fundamentals Certification from Hunter University
Most rewarding part of your job: Seeing my clients satisfied with their landscapes and having a great relationship with my coworkers and clients.
Tim Ryan
Drafter/ Estimator
Years of Experience: 9+
Degrees & Certifications:
-
B.S in education from Illinois State University
-
M.A. in Painting from Governors State University
-
Certificate in Landscape Arch from U.C. Berkeley Extension
Most rewarding part of the job: Being part of a team that is making my community more beautiful one property at a time.
Favorite plant & why: Too many to choose from, but maybe the Pineapple Guava because it is evergreen, has a beautiful flower and produces a delicious fruit.
Brandon Augustine
Maintenance Production Manager
Years of Experience: 25+
Degrees & Certifications:
-
AS in Telecommunications
-
Certified Water Auditor Program - City of Dublin
-
Landscape Irrigation design - Weathermatic
-
Low volume irrigation design - Netafim
-
Filtration and fluid dynamics - Amiad
-
Landscape lighting design – Vista Landscape Lighting
-
Backflow & Irrigation valve service/repair - RCOparts
-
Chemical Safety & Storage - Automatic Rain University
-
Erosion Control, Soils, Plant Science, Organic & Biodynamic Farming
Most rewarding part of the job: Witnessing the beauty that each season brings to a well-maintained landscape.
Brian Casmey
Installation Project Manager
Years of Experience: 15+
Degrees & Certifications:
-
Horticulture Design Certification, Santa Rosa Junior College
-
Project Management Certificate, Sonoma State University
-
QWEL Certification
Who we work with:
Homeowners
Landscape Designers
Wineries & Estates
Trade Partners (Subcontractors)
Our Partners
Landscape Designers and Landscape Architects
- Peter Wendt
- Roche and Roche
- Jonathan Plant
- Penney Magrane
- Mayacamas Landscape Architecture
- Jack Chandler Design
- Kellie Carlin
- Lori Cagwin
- Native Valley Design
- Frederika Moller Landscape Architecture
- GL Landscaping
- Ron Herman
- John Greenelee
- Claudia Schmidt
- Hall Landscape Design
- Beckey Obershulte
- Marla Bird
- Lutsko Associates
- Thomas Church
- Erin Martin Design
General Contractors
- Total Concepts
- Cello & Maudru Construction
- Trainor Construction
- Wright Contracting
- Gar Rector & Associates
- Centric General Contractors
- Schmitt & Company
- Grassi & Associates
- Roscoe Construction
- Passivworks
Trade Partners
- Paradise Pools
- Bill Pramuk
- Britton Tree Services
- Pacific Tree Care
- Joe Branum Tree Care
- Bella Casa Property Management
- CMP Civil Engineering and Land Surveying
- Summit Engineering
- M3 General Engineering
- Naslund Concrete Contractors
- Oakville Pump Service
- Imboden Pump
- McLean & Williams Inc
- Doshier Gregson Inc
- Lumins Electric
- Pound Management