Artful California native gardens.
Bring Some Birds & Whimsy to Your Garden
Your garden should be a place of beauty and inspiration, where you can sit if you like, putter if you like, and watch the transformation as the seasons change.
We can help you make your ideas and dreams a reality by creating a landscape design that reflects the climate in which we live and the natural rhythm of the local flora and fauna. Using a primarily California Native plant palette we can create affordable, drought tolerant gardens that are sustainably built and tread lightly on our resources.
The Archive
Gardens
A decade of artful California native gardens across the San Francisco East Bay.
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Across the East Bay —
— Return —
Kat Weiss
Registered Landscape Architect
Livermore, CA
Landscape Architect · Est. 2004
About Kat
Kat Weiss, owner of Kat Weiss Landscape Design, has been a registered Landscape Architect since 2001. She graduated from UCLA with a degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1993 but yearned to find a professional avenue that would better combine her interests in the landscape, art, design, and science. She found the study of Landscape Architecture to be perfect and received her Masters in Landscape Architecture from UMass in 1999.
Boston is one of the richest cities in which to study and practice landscape architecture, and Kat took advantage of opportunities to work on the design of college campuses, downtown redevelopment, greenways, residential design, and memorials. She found residential design to be immediately gratifying and pursued work in that area when she moved back to California, where she finds it deeply fulfilling to help homeowners make their dreams for their gardens become realities.
When she returned to her hometown of Livermore, she realized the native plant communities that had interested her growing up in the area were nearly forgotten in residential design. She vowed to introduce clients to the many wonderful plants they had been noticing on their hikes and travels. She created Kat Weiss Landscape Design in 2004 and has been assisting hundreds of clients to create their own little corners of beauty. Some have been inspired by the gardens showcased on the annual Bringing Back the Natives Tour, and others from hearing Kat speak at workshops and garden talks for The Ruth Bancroft Garden.
Kat believes a landscape should be enjoyed while being sensitive to our dry summer climate as well as the choice of materials used on the site. She advocates recycling materials and stepping lightly on the land. Drought tolerance and a lower maintenance schedule are also part of a larger philosophy to celebrate the local climate and find a sense of place. Bring some whimsy to your garden!
The Path
“Bring some whimsy to your garden.”
The Process
What to expect
Every property is different. Every client is different. I will attempt to the best of my ability to listen to your needs and be as clear as I can about design costs. My hourly rate for design work is $200/hr; for hands-on garden work, $85/hr.
Services
- Landscape design
- Plantings, arbors, patios, decks & retaining walls
- Construction administration & observation
- Plant & art acquisition
- Artistic rendering & graphics
- Hand pruning & garden shaping
- 01
On-site consultation
We start with a one-hour meeting at your property. We discuss your ideas, walk and measure the site, photograph it, and share information. For small sites I can sometimes sketch a plan on the spot.
- 02
Design development
I bring the site analysis back to the studio and draw everything by hand — which saves time compared to CADD drawings. The plan itemizes plants, shows hardscape layout, and notes any construction requirements so you or a contractor can build the project.
- 03
Review meetings
You can expect at least two meetings, sometimes more. A small property typically requires 2.5 hours of design work; a large property or one with front and back gardens often takes 8–14 hours to design, prepare final working drawings, and communicate back and forth.
- 04
You stay in control
After the final presentation meeting you may choose to take control of your drawings and manage your project yourself, or continue to use my services for bidding assistance and construction observation. I only bill you for actual hours worked and will always provide a not-to-exceed cost.
- 05
Plant and art acquisition
I offer hands-on help laying out plants, sourcing art and pottery, and hand pruning and shaping the new garden. I like to maintain oversight of plant quality and can issue substitutions where needed.
Working together
Billed to the nearest quarter hour. I only bill for time actually worked, and I always provide a not-to-exceed cost.
From the gardens
Every garden begins with a conversation and a walk of your site.
Kind Words
Praise
A few words from the people who live in these gardens.
We are enjoying our front yard tremendously. I can't wait for the plants and trees to fill out. You've made our front yard more than a yard, but a really nice place to hang out in.
— Stephanie, Pleasanton CA
Words cannot describe how much all three of us love our new yard. It is gorgeous and the natives are happy and blooming. You managed to blend our old landscaping with the new so well.
— Kathy, Steve & Davey, Moraga CA
I have really enjoyed working with you and think my garden is the nicest in Livermore. Perry and I have so many favorite places in the garden to sit depending on sun and season. It is perfect.
— Peggy, Livermore CA
Your garden could be the next one they're talking about.
Get in Touch
Start a garden
Ready to bring some birds and whimsy to your corner of the East Bay? Get in touch — I'd love to hear about your garden.
Tell me a little about your site and what you're hoping for. I'll get back to you within a few days — we'll start with a one-hour visit to walk the garden together.
Direct Contact
Resources
- My Top 10 Native Plants for the Garden
- Compost Your Lawn Yourself
Downloadable guides — available soon.
kat@kwlanddesign.com · (925) 518-9083 · San Francisco East Bay
Where I work
— from the gardens —
Privacy Policy
Last updated · June 2026
Kat Weiss Landscape Design (“we,” “us,” or “our”) respects your privacy. This policy explains what information we receive when you use this website (kwlanddesign.com) and how we handle it. In short: this is a simple brochure website. We do not use cookies, advertising, analytics, or tracking of any kind, and we never sell your information.
Information you choose to send us
The only personal information we receive is what you choose to send us. When you use the contact form, it opens a message in your own email program pre-filled with the name, email address, and message you entered. Nothing is submitted to or stored on this website — the email is sent from you, directly to us, through your email provider.
You may also contact us directly by email or phone. We receive whatever information you include in that message.
How we use your information
We use the information you send only to respond to your inquiry, discuss your garden or project, and provide our services. We do not sell, rent, or share your personal information with third parties for their own marketing.
Cookies, analytics & tracking
This website does not set cookies, does not use analytics, and does not run advertising or third-party tracking. Because we do not track you, there is nothing to opt out of and no cookie consent banner is required.
Hosting & server logs
This website is hosted by a third-party hosting provider (Vercel). Like most web hosts, their servers may automatically log standard technical information (such as IP addresses and browser type) for security and reliability. We do not use this data to identify you, and it is handled under the host’s own policies.
Data retention
We keep the emails and project correspondence you send us for as long as needed to respond to you, deliver our services, and keep ordinary business records. You may ask us to delete your correspondence at any time.
Your California privacy rights
If you are a California resident, you may have rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA/CPRA), including the right to know what personal information we have collected, to request its deletion, and to not be discriminated against for exercising these rights. We do not sell or “share” personal information as those terms are defined under California law.
To make a request, email us at kat@kwlanddesign.com or call (925) 518-9083. We will respond as required by law.
Children
This website is intended for adults seeking landscape design services and is not directed to children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children.
Changes to this policy
We may update this policy from time to time. The “last updated” date above reflects the most recent version.
Contact us
If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, contact Kat Weiss Landscape Design at kat@kwlanddesign.com or (925) 518-9083.
Terms of Use
Last updated · June 2026
Welcome to the Kat Weiss Landscape Design website. By using this site, you agree to these Terms of Use. Please read them along with our Privacy Policy.
About this website
This website provides general information about our landscape design services and a portfolio of completed gardens. It is offered for your information and convenience. Nothing on this site is a binding offer, quote, or guarantee of any particular result; any project is governed by a separate written agreement.
Content & ownership
All content on this site — including text, the logo, garden photography, and design — is the property of Kat Weiss Landscape Design (or is used with permission) and is protected by copyright. You may view and share links to the site, but you may not copy, reproduce, or use our content or photographs for commercial purposes without our written permission.
No warranties
This website is provided “as is.” While we strive to keep the information accurate and current, we make no warranties about its completeness, accuracy, or availability, and we are not liable for any loss arising from your use of the site.
Links to other sites
This site may reference or link to outside resources. We are not responsible for the content or practices of any third-party website.
Governing law
These terms are governed by the laws of the State of California, without regard to its conflict-of-laws rules.
Changes
We may update these Terms of Use from time to time. Continued use of the site means you accept the current version.
Contact us
Questions about these terms? Contact Kat Weiss Landscape Design at kat@kwlanddesign.com or (925) 518-9083.