Rancho Santa Fe, CA
"A lot of people think Zone Zero has to be barren—but it doesn't. Greenway showed us how ember-resistant landscaping could be every bit as beautiful as a traditional garden." - John Peters
For John and Judy Peters, preparing their home for California’s evolving wildfire recommendations wasn’t just about planning ahead—it was about protecting their investment without sacrificing the beauty they loved. After spending years learning about Zone Zero through their HOA and local fire safety initiatives, they knew an ember-resistant landscape was the right choice. What they didn’t want was a barren five-foot perimeter around their home.
Greenway Landscape Design & Build transformed their Rancho Santa Fe property into a luxurious, ember-resistant landscape designed with Zone Zero principles in mind. By combining artistic pottery, handcrafted Desert Steel botanical sculptures, natural boulders, decorative gravel, architectural lighting, and thoughtfully layered planting, the Peters Residence demonstrates that Zone Zero landscaping can be both beautiful and built for the future.
Want to learn more about California’s new Zone Zero recommendations and how they may impact your home? Explore our complete guide: Zone 0 Fire Safety Guide
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How Greenway Partnered with The Peters Family
Consultant Comments
Transforming the Peters Residence into a beautiful landscape inspired by Zone Zero principles was both an exciting design challenge and an opportunity to rethink how homeowners approach ember-resistant landscaping. John and Judy came to Greenway with a clear vision: they wanted to prepare their Rancho Santa Fe home for California’s evolving wildfire recommendations without sacrificing the warmth, elegance, and curb appeal they had always envisioned.
Rather than treating the required five-foot ember-resistant zone as a limitation, Greenway approached it as a design opportunity. By incorporating handcrafted Desert Steel botanical sculptures, decorative pottery, natural boulders, premium gravel, and carefully integrated landscape lighting, we created a landscape that feels artistic, layered, and intentionally designed. The result proves that Zone Zero can become one of the most visually striking features of a home instead of simply a code recommendation.
One of the most rewarding aspects of the project was creating a seamless transition from the ember-resistant perimeter into the surrounding landscape. Carefully selected succulents and low-water plantings echo the sculptural forms of the Desert Steel installations, allowing the landscape to naturally evolve into lush ornamental gardens beyond the five-foot Zone Zero boundary. This thoughtful layering creates depth, continuity, and year-round beauty throughout the property.
Beyond the Zone Zero improvements, the project included replacing an aging artificial turf putting green with a clean, dog-friendly lawn, redesigning a prominent planter with a beautiful ornamental feature tree, and installing professional landscape lighting and elegant string lights that transform the property after sunset. Every element was carefully considered to create a landscape that balances safety, functionality, and timeless beauty.
Key Design Considerations
During our initial consultations, we worked closely with John and Judy to understand their priorities:
- Creating a Beautiful Zone Zero Landscape: Design an ember-resistant five-foot perimeter that enhances the home’s architecture while supporting California’s evolving wildfire safety recommendations.
- Layering Safety with Beauty: Use Desert Steel botanical sculptures, decorative pottery, natural boulders, premium gravel, and artistic lighting to create visual interest instead of a barren landscape.
- Seamless Landscape Transitions: Blend the ember-resistant zone into surrounding succulent gardens before transitioning into lush ornamental planting, creating a cohesive and natural flow throughout the property.
- Enhancing Outdoor Living: Replace the outdated artificial turf with a fresh, dog-friendly lawn, redesign the central planter with a specimen tree and layered planting, and incorporate landscape lighting and string lighting to create an inviting atmosphere for evening enjoyment.
Through thoughtful planning, creative material selections, and close collaboration with the homeowners, Greenway delivered a landscape that demonstrates how California's new Zone Zero requirements can become an opportunity for exceptional design. The Peters Residence is a showcase of how safety, luxury, and everyday outdoor living can exist together in one beautifully integrated landscape.
Client Wishlist
When John and Judy partnered with Greenway, their vision extended far beyond creating a landscape based around Zone Zero recommendations. They wanted to demonstrate that thoughtful design could transform California’s evolving Zone Zero guidance into an opportunity rather than a limitation. Together, we developed a landscape that prioritized safety, beauty, and everyday enjoyment while maintaining the elegance expected of a Rancho Santa Fe home.
Their project goals included:
- Beautiful Zone Zero Design: Create an ember-resistant landscape designed around California’s evolving Zone Zero recommendations without sacrificing beauty.
- Luxury Curb Appeal: Transform the required five-foot ember-resistant zone into an elegant extension of the home's architecture.
- Desert Steel Botanical Sculptures: Incorporate handcrafted, non-combustible steel plants as artistic focal points throughout the landscape.
- Decorative Pottery & Natural Boulders: Add height, texture, and visual interest using premium pottery, sculptural boulders, and decorative gravel.
- Layered Landscape Design: Create a seamless transition from the ember-resistant perimeter into lush, water-wise planting beyond the Zone Zero boundary.
- Dog-Friendly Artificial Turf: Replace the aging artificial turf with a fresh, durable lawn designed for everyday enjoyment.
- Feature Planter Renovation: Redesign the central landscape bed with a specimen tree, layered planting, and architectural lighting.
- Professional Landscape Lighting: Illuminate pathways, Desert Steel sculptures, and focal points to enhance beauty, safety, and nighttime ambiance.
- Outdoor String Lighting: Create a warm, inviting atmosphere for evening entertaining and outdoor living.
- Low-Maintenance Living: Design a landscape that balances exceptional aesthetics with long-term durability and ease of maintenance.
“By combining Desert Steel plants, decorative rock, boulders, lighting, and artistic garden features, they created a landscape that’s both beautiful and ember-resistant. The entire process was professional from start to finish, and we couldn’t be happier with the results! Our home is now safer, more beautiful, and we’ve already recommended Greenway to family and friends.” — John & Judy Peters
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