Customer Reviews
1. To work with Bonnie is to go on an adventure with a creative landscape designer who knows and reveres plants, and will take the time to get to know you and what types of plants work for you in your garden. She searches and hand-picks each one for you. She has an exceptional ability to listen and then create a vibrant landscape with healthy, beautiful plants. You'll love spending your time there
2. We also had the pleasure of working with Ron Smith and his excellent team. Their craftsmanship, knowledge, and attention to detail is unmatched. Ron is delightful to work with, and also has an exceptional ability to brainstorm solutions - no matter the challenge.
3. I highly recommend Bonnie and Ron for anyone seeking a truly remarkable outdoor transformation!
- Kelly L.
Bonnie created the garden of my dreams. She is a horticulturalist and artist who listens to what you want and thoroughly plans the garden with you before anyone goes to a nursery. The result is a beautiful garden, in the style that you want, which stays healthy.
Ron, the main contractor, and Jose, the project manager, handle the other aspects of the landscape project, in particular, the hardscape.
Like Bonnie their work is of the highest quality. They do not cut corners. They level and move the dirt to produce the best hardscape layout rather than to save on effort expended. The trenches for the water, gas, electrical, and drains are deep. The zones for the watering system are well thought out. The fountains are well crafted.
Also like Bonnie, they are very flexible, listening to what you want, providing different options for say a pergola, and not funneling you in one particular direction.
The results in our yard were spectacular.
- Den G.
The creative team of Ron Smith & Company, and Bonnie's Gardens helped us realize our own alpine hideaway in the middle of Orange County.
My wife and I had vision for a drought tolerant, low maintenance landscape that evoked a mountain environment. We wanted native grasses, wild flowers, pine trees, boulders, a recycling stream with cascades and mini rapids (crossed by two bridges), and landscape lighting, all supported by a beautiful yet functional hardscape.
Laurie Martz, our landscape architect, translated our vision into a practical and compelling design, and specified the plants needed to create the faux-mountain retreat of our dreams. Bonnie Smith tirelessly located the plants and offered her own expert suggestions when needed. Finally, Ron Smith, along with his team - headed by his amazingly talented project manager, Jose Zamarripa - executed the plan to bring our complex project to a successful and rewarding conclusion.
My wife and I are so grateful to have found our creative dream team! They have given us an oasis of our own that we enjoy every day, and which we are so pleased to share with our friends and neighbors!
- Mark N.
We recently had the pleasure of working with Bonnie's Gardens and Ron Smith & Co to transform our entire outdoor space, front back and side, from a weedy dying lawn to a beautiful low-maintenance water-wise garden. It took only 4 weeks to remove the turf and plants, re-grade and prepare the sites, complete various hardscape repairs and additions, add new irrigation, new soil, new lighting, and of course new plants! And that includes a weeklong break forced by a surprise rainstorm.
Bonnie and Ron were fantastic to work with, extremely responsive and open to any and all comment, feedback, or request from initial design to project completion. Their prices were very fair for the scope of work, with no surprise additional costs along the way. They also made sure everything they did would meet the criteria for us to get the county rebate for turf removal, and even reached out on our behalf to make sure the plan got pre-approval.
The design and plant choice were exactly what we were looking for and had had so much trouble finding elsewhere. Bonnie (and her on-site eyes, Lisa) know their stuff and picked all kinds of beautiful, lush plants that thrive in our region; plants that are friendly to the environment, low on water usage, and extremely low maintenance, all without giving up the vibrancy and density we were looking for. They even managed to mix two different styles between our front and back yards, a sunny Mediterranean and a shady forest.
Ron's crew, led by Jose Zamarippa, were extremely professional, conscientious, and skilled workers. Though they did an enormous amount in a relatively small window of time, I never once got the feeling that they were rushing any particular part of the job. Every detail mattered. They would leave the site at the end of the day cleaner than when they'd arrived in the morning, making sure everything was accessible and safe for us during downtime. And when new problems did present themselves along the way, as they always do with big projects, Ron and Jose were able to adjust creatively and cost-effectively.
We love the end result and are already getting complements from passersby while the plants are still just taking root. I expect that love to only grow as all the plants do the same, and I plan to add more pictures when they do!
Thank you both!
- Tommy Demos
I had an idea of what I wanted when it came to re-landscaping my new front yard, along with a list of some unusual needs. Bonnie was the perfect person for me to work with to achieve just the look I wanted. Bonnie was completely open to my ideas and was even able to make suggestions on how to make it even better. Since I was new to the area, having a native guide me on what plants would and wouldn't work in this climate zone was invaluable.
Even though Bonnie and I never met in person, through her excellent communication and fantastic team I always felt confident she understood what I wanted and needed to make my landscaping project a success.
When I had questions or felt like a change might be necessary, both Bonnie and Ron were there to help me talk through options and make decisions. I really appreciate their expertise!
- Susie Franklin
We are very pleased with Bonnie's design for our garden and found her professional and easy to work with. Her extensive knowledge of plants shows in the choices and variety of the design. She was also able to adapt to changing needs on our part. One of our visitors exclaimed that it looks like a botanic garden. We see that as a very great compliment.
We highly recommend Bonnie's Gardens.
- Susan Mack
I was looking for a landscape designer to help me replace grass with a low-water native plant garden, as well as a contractor who could replace our deteriorating terra cotta patio. I found Bonnie and we had a phone call. I immediately liked her and felt that she understood what I wanted. I was THRILLED to learn that she works with a contractor, Ron Smith & Company, who could do the whole job. It was amazing to work with a cohesive team to design, plan, and execute my vision of a new front and back yard.
A few standout points: 1) They worked around my budget and got me everything I wanted. 2) They made recommendations for things I hadn't thought of and also added knowledgeable insights to the things I knew I wanted. 3) They completed the job in 4 weeks, from demo to planting! The crew came 5-6 days a week, worked incredibly hard, were quiet, clean, and respectful, and left by 4pm. The communication was great, they ordered everything and kept half of our driveway clear so we could still use the garage to park our cars. And the craftmanship is noteworthy. The tinest details matter and I was able to make all the important choices at the right time.
100% recommend them for relationship, quality, speed, and price!
- Angelique L.
We are over-the-top happy with Bonnie’s and Ron’s work. Working remotely was not an issue for Bonnie, as her design instincts are so strong, and we supplied her with plenty of photos of the space.
Ron and his crew were very fast and efficient. They transformed our property in a matter of five days. It was fascinating to watch.
Ron’s team has returned to address a couple of maintenance items (drip system). They have been very responsive and professional.
His team is also in the running for hardscape/landscape on our Laguna property.
I would not hesitate to use Bonnie and Ron again.
- Dave Ross | Principal | Bazooka Communications
We strongly recommend the professional design and construction services of Bonnie and Ron Smith. Good design with poor construction does not work. Similarly, poor design with good construction doesn't work. You need both great design and excellent construction to transform a landscape into a space that you will want to be in season after season. This is the high level that Bonnie and Ron achieve. Their design and construction skills are outstanding. They transformed both our front and back yards into special places that we will enjoy for years and years. They knew how to work with the MWD of Orange County. They knew where to source the best plants. They knew how to get (and install) the best materials despite a global pandemic. Without hesitation, we give Bonnie & Ron Smith "five stars!"
- Stephen & Shannon Lauro, Villa Park, CA
Dear Bonnie,
I just wanted to say again how much we appreciate the beautiful yard that you gave us. It is currently a riot of color with everything blooming and showing off.
It is absolutely spectacular and the compliments just keep on coming.
Thank you for the gift that keeps on giving.
- Sherry Caldwell, Anaheim, CA
Just wanted to say how much I appreciate all of you for your flexibility and openness to the changes we've made along the way. Jose, you make this process so much more enjoyable with your "can do" attitude. And your whole crew works so hard every day.
I think the garden is going to be just beautiful...our thanks to you all.
- Ellen, Newport Beach, CA
Bonnie Smith of Bonnie’s Gardens is an artist extraordinaire that uses soil in place of canvas. About 12 years ago initially, we began the metamorphosis of our outdoors. Each hard scrape area that we had created was by Bonnie’s recommended businesses that she worked closely with. She brought the projects to completion with her beautiful selection of native plants, succulents, flowers, and trees. We have had her come through and refresh our landscaping over the years as well. My husband and I are creative illiterates and Bonnie was able to design and create exactly what we dreamed of for our outdoor spaces. Bonie will bring you joy and happiness by what she can create for you too!
- Jsrohm
Bonnie and Ron Smith revitalized our tired 2000's landscaping. Bonnie's vision and design for the landscape and Ron's installation were exactly what we were hoping for in our complete yard makeover! We've had 6 months for the plants and trees to mature and we couldn't be happier. With the plants and trees selected, our home is a burst of color in the neighborhood and we have made the bees and hummingbirds especially happy. The entire project was done on time and within our budget. We highly recommend them!
- Lisa Rumbaugh
Bonnie and Ron helped us create our dream garden! They understood our vision and made it a reality. The plants Bonnie chose are perfect and still look great today. Ron created a barbecue, bar, and seating area that are perfect for us! The hardscape in our yard in amazing! We never used to want to spend time in our yard. Custom gates and awnings complete the space. Now, it is an extension of our living space, a beautiful relaxing place where we cook, relax, eat and entertain. Our family and friends love it, too!
- Julia Montoya
Bonnie was a consummate professional and very fun to work with. She is absolutely excellent at really listening to what you desire in your landscape and then merging that with her incredible expertise at design and her knowledge of plants. We removed our broken and too-sloped concrete patio and walkway and plants that were not originally designed for the space and replaced them with a rose garden and plants that draw hummingbirds (Bonnie's suggestion...and we had a hummingbird within a day of the new plant going in!) and beautiful pavers. Ron Smith's construction team did an amazing job with the demolition, installation of new drainage, the pavers, and the plantings. Perfection in action! I was in awe. Can't say enough good things about Bonnie's Gardens and the synergistic, creative result that comes by way of the merging of her ideas and construction expertise of her co-partner Ron. You get what you pay for and this team is worth it!
- Mary Aslin
My wife and I are black thumbs when it comes to gardening and when we decided to replace our front and rear lawns with drought tolerant landscape, we turned to Bonnie to point us in the right direction. The transformation was great and we received a lot of compliments from neighbors. We did have some plants that didn't like their location and we're still struggling with that, but otherwise things are looking good.
- Mike Safranski
We used Bonnie and Ron to redo our entire yard, front and back. Removal, new irrigation, new soil, and planting. We HIGHLY recommend them. They are great to work with and will listen to your preferences thoroughly in their design. Also, when the project is over you can still contact for questions and they come by every so often to check out the progress of the yard.
- Andrea Bergen
I would highly recommend Bonnie's Gardens for landscaping design. She did an outstanding job in converting our old 1 acre property into a modern, drought resistant resort. We have strangers stopping us to ask about who did our landscaping design. She is creative, listens to her clients and is a true artist. Our yard is absolutely beautiful!
- Ken Carter
I have used Bonnie's Gardens in two different homes. Her knowledge of plants is extensive going from cottage perennials to drought-tolerant plants and natives. She has an excellent sense of design and plant placement and both gardens she has done for me matured into beautiful spaces that elicited oohs and aahs from all who visited. I am getting ready to change things up with new furniture placement and will be using Bonnie's Gardens again.
Cathleen Garite
Bonnie and Ron were great to work with. They listened to our concerns and incorporated our ideas and their expertise into the design of our drought tolerant garden. We discovered them at the Tree of Life website and are so glad we did.
- Lynda Wilson
We looked for a long time to find a designer to transform our lawn and garden to a water wise garden without replacing the hardscape. Bonnie was a pleasure to work with and created a custom plan to our wishes. Efficient and flexible
Her partner Ron’s team did the actual work on time and on budget. It’s 2 1/2 years later and we remain happy as it has grown in nicely.
Being one on the first to convert we were amazed at how many people stopped by and took pictures. Even now we catch people stoping
Bonnie’s plan was worth every penny and then some. Our yard is exactly what we wanted.
- Bob Koenig
Bonnie and Ron did a major makeover of my home. From the driveway to the rear fence. Pavers, walkways, lighting, irrigation, everything. It took about a month and the results are stunning. Bonnie came up with the plan and Ron executed. It took about a month and was as painless as it could be. Bonnie and Ron are the experts, but I was consulted for colors textures, plant type preferences. Low water does not have to mean desert succulents. Which I did not want. My yard is lush with beautiful plants and trees that Bonnie specified which work just right. I would be pleased for anyone looking to engage Bonnie and Ron to run by my place to review the work. 18 months later.
- Jeff Menkes
Bonnie is in the middle of helping us remove our turf and go to a succulent type garden. I found her thru her incredible photos online. She came out and had a team measure our turf area and then proceeded to produce an excellent plan for us to implement. She has a team of people who will be doing the work, I am excited to see it in completion.
- Rita Tayenaka