Our Story
From the earth to under your feet.
Scrambling over warm granite; the grit of sea salt crusted in sun-baked smile lines; the quiet hum of bees emanating from a lilac in full bloom; hiding out under the sun-dappled shade of an old oak. We aim to bring the calming simplicity, beauty, and orderly chaos of the natural world into your personal space.
FLORA NATIVA draws from a lifetime spent basking in the natural bounties of the world around. A firmly bound connection to California’s coasts, and the broader surrounds of the water-scarce Southwest drives a commitment to water conservation, habitat creation, regenerative horticulture, pollination, and personal wellness in our work. Ocean-friendly gardens, social and edible yards, native flora and fauna integration, drought-tolerant lawn alternatives and soil health. We are driven to create spaces as wild and alive as you.
Our Ethos
Flora Nativa crafts high-quality, site-specific landscapes that respond to original needs, while simultaneously incorporating base elements of native plant integration, water conservation and sensitivity to the flora and fauna of our local communities. We curate plants, materials and spaces with our eyes toward sustainability and durability. We draw inspiration from the challenges found in melding the aesthetic and the functional. Our practice at once seeks to embrace the classic and timeless elements of outdoor design, while simultaneously embracing change, evolution and innovation in the execution and delivery of our designs. We look to the lines, colors and textures of the “The Great Outdoors” to inspire spaces that harness the wild and calming simplicity of nature.
Our Studio
Our studio is helmed by Julie Gallegos Kavanagh, MLA. A southern Californian native, raised in the sun-drenched climes of San Diego’s northern beaches, Julie received her master’s degree in Landscape Architecture from the University of Melbourne, Australia. Drawing from a background in both botanical studies and anthropological analysis, Julie brings more than a decade of design experience to a practice that spans a diverse spectrum of projects, both commercial and residential. Her folio of work spans from San Francisco’s urban heart to southern Australia’s rugged coastline, encompassing large scope ecotourism projects, farm-to-table culinary operations, and high-end residential design.
