Pathway with steel steps surrounded by drought-resistant plants and boulders in a landscaped garden at Mt. Veeder Residence, designed by Penning Landscapes.

Mt. Veeder Residence

Mt. Veeder Residence

Design, Build, Maintain | 2023

Vegetable garden design logo with dark green background, emphasizing organic gardening and sustainable practices.

Drought-Resistent Gardens

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Design: Penning Landscapes

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Construction: Penning Landscapes

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Photography: JP Morrissey

The Mt. Veeder residence was a wonderful challenge as we were tasked to evolve the outdoor space, initially designed for a young family to a sophisticated retreat for multiple generations. We worked closely with the client to create a landscape that balanced the 90-degree angles of the modern house with the natural terrain of the surrounding Napa Valley hills. 

Our design features a low-water garden with drought-resistant Mediterranean and Californian native plants that is appropriate for this environment. Custom outdoor lighting and steel accents enhance the modern aesthetic of the home, while succulents nestled between boulders add texture and interest. To solve a complicated elevation change around the pool, we designed a terraced retaining wall that maximizes usable planting space and ensures safety.

Per our client’s request to expand their gardens, we designed and built an intricate maze of custom flower boxes with vegetables, fruits, trees and flowers housed in a wildlife protected fence. By handling all three - design, construction, and maintenance in-house -  we are able to ensure that the residence continues to thrive as a versatile and inviting space for the entire family.

Lush vegetable garden at Galleron residence featuring custom flower boxes, sunflowers, and a wildlife-protected fence, surrounded by drought-resistant plants and scenic hills in the background.
Lavender plants lining a gravel pathway with stone borders and surrounding greenery in a drought-resistant garden design at the Galleron residence.
Modern pool surrounded by drought-resistant landscaping, featuring terraced retaining walls, lush greenery, and outdoor seating at the Galleron residence.
Low-water garden featuring drought-resistant plants, decorative boulders, and a gravel pathway, enhancing the modern aesthetic of the Galleron residence landscape design.
Terraced retaining wall with wooden steps leading to a lawn area, surrounded by drought-resistant plants and custom outdoor lighting at the Galleron residence.
Terraced steel steps leading through a drought-resistant garden featuring succulents and ornamental grasses, enhancing the modern landscape design at the Galleron residence.
Low-water garden featuring drought-resistant plants, terraced retaining wall with boulders, and custom outdoor lighting at Galleron Residence.
Low-water garden featuring drought-resistant plants and boulders, with a modern home in the background, showcasing terraced landscaping and natural textures.
Succulents nestled between boulders and gravel pathways, surrounded by ornamental grasses in a low-water garden design.
Terraced pathway with rusted steel steps, surrounded by drought-resistant plants, including lavender and succulents, integrated with natural boulders in a low-water garden design.

"Custom outdoor lighting and steel accents enhance the modern aesthetic of the home, while succulents nestled between boulders add texture and interest. To solve a complicated elevation change around the pool, we designed a terraced retaining wall that maximizes usable planting space and ensures safety."

Drought-resistant garden featuring a rock river, mature succulents, and a central stone feature, enhancing the St. Helena residence's landscape design.

St. Helena Residence

St. Helena Residence

2023 | Build, Maintain

Vegetable garden design logo with dark green background, emphasizing organic gardening and sustainable practices.

Drought-Resistent Gardens

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Design: Jonathan Plant

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Enhancements: Penning Landscapes

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Photography: JP Morrissey

This St. Helena residence was an exciting enhancement from a regular backyard into a hidden oasis, based on our clients’ vision. They desired a “secret garden” that was drought resistant and included a large vegetable garden that could produce a variety of fruits, vegetables, and flowers.

We delivered a unique and cohesive backyard that has something new to discover around every corner. The backyard features a “rock river” that solves drainage issues and ensures the garden thrives year-round. Designed with drought-resistant plants native to California, the landscaping incorporates numerous succulents to create a lush, low-water environment. The centerpiece of the backyard is the prized vegetable area, featuring custom vegetable boxes.

We continue to work closely with the client to find new ways to update the space by filling bare spots, adding vibrant color hues, and rotating the crops. By maintaining this collaborative partnership, we have crafted a dynamic and ever-evolving secret garden that continues to delight the clients and their guests.

Lush backyard landscape featuring drought-resistant succulents and palm trees, designed for low-water maintenance, with a cozy seating area visible in the background.
Marble bench surrounded by lush greenery and drought-resistant plants in a tranquil backyard setting designed by Penning Landscapes.
Lush backyard landscape featuring drought-resistant plants, succulents, and a gravel pathway, designed for a low-water environment at Quail Camp Residence.
Lush backyard garden featuring drought-resistant plants and succulents, with a gravel pathway, vibrant greenery, and mature trees, designed for low-water maintenance.
Lush backyard landscape featuring drought-resistant succulents, a rock river for drainage, and a cozy seating area under a wooden pergola, designed for sustainable gardening at Quail Camp Residence.
Drought-resistant succulent garden featuring various cacti and native plants, designed for low-water landscaping at Quail Camp Residence.
Lush vegetable garden featuring custom wooden boxes, tall sunflowers, and vibrant flowers, designed for drought resistance and year-round growth, within a serene backyard setting.
Flowering tree with white blossoms in a drought-resistant garden, framed by natural stone pillars, highlighting California native landscaping elements.

"Designed with drought-resistant plants native to California, the landscaping incorporates numerous succulents to create a lush, low-water environment. The centerpiece of the backyard is the prized vegetable area, featuring custom vegetable boxes."

California Live Oak tree providing shade over a seating area with modern outdoor furniture, surrounded by lush green grass and ornamental grasses, reflecting the sustainable landscaping design for Chandon Winery.

Chandon Winery

Chandon Winery

Build | 2023

Vegetable garden design logo with dark green background, emphasizing organic gardening and sustainable practices.

Chandon Winery

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Design by Peter Wendt

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Landscape Construction: Penning Landscapes

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Building Construction: Cello Maudru

In 2023, we were hired to assist with the beautiful redesign of Chandon Winery. Nestled in the rolling hills of Yountville, California, the luxury winery wanted the landscape, plants and grasses to align and reflect their brand identity. Guests should feel inspired to explore a variety of spaces, from large entertainment areas to intimate tasting lounges. We went to great lengths during construction to protect the property’s California Live Oak trees, which are over one hundred years old and provide ample shade for the winery’s visitors.

To allow for outdoor tastings to continue during the renovation, we completed this project in phases over the course of one winter, working closely with the designer and client throughout the process to ensure that our team’s work was aligned with their vision.

Hot air balloon floating above Chandon Winery's landscaped gardens featuring ornamental grasses and California Live Oak trees in Yountville, California.
California Live Oak tree providing shade over a seating area with modern furniture, surrounded by ornamental grasses and rolling hills at Chandon Winery, reflecting the winery's landscape design.
Outdoor tasting area at Chandon Winery featuring curved seating, round tables, and surrounding grasses, reflecting the winery's brand identity and inviting exploration.
Lush grasses and California Live Oak trees in the redesigned landscape of Chandon Winery, reflecting brand identity and inviting exploration.
Outdoor seating area under a California Live Oak tree at Chandon Winery, surrounded by golden grasses, capturing sunlight, designed for guest relaxation and aligned with the winery's brand identity.
Outdoor seating area at Chandon Winery with wooden chairs, a table set with champagne glasses and a bottle, surrounded by lush grasses and plants, reflecting the winery's brand identity and inviting guests to enjoy the scenic landscape.

"The grasses and plantings were carefully chosen to tie into the brand’s color palette and to emulate the way a glass of their sparkling wine captures the sunlight."