Chris Drayer

It went surprisingly well.  All through the process,Chris talked with us and really listened to what we wanted.  He's an artist with color and texture, and willing to discuss alternatives.
Chris turned our uptight pseudo-French-Provincial yard into a beckoning xeriscape.  He made creative suggestions, and gave us a lovely courtyard with colorful unusual plantings.  We had planned to re-landscape only the front yard but liked it so much we had Chris design the back as well.

We have been working with Chris Drayer for nearly 5 years. He provided the initial drawing and planting list for a complete overhaul of the front and backyards for our house in North Park, San Diego. Chris was mindful of our requests to use minimal irrigation and maximize privacy. We were unable to hire a landscape contractor immediately, but when we finally could afford the project, Chris provided some oversight and consultation while the project was under way. In the time since, Chris has inspected our property annually to note the growth of the plants and guide our gardener in projects such as pruning, fertilization, increasing/decreasing water supply, and replacing plants that failed to thrive. He is honest, professional, and has an impeccable eye for landscapes that balance beauty and practicality.
On another note, Chris has volunteered his time and expertise in working North Park neighborhood associations on gardening projects in common areas, such as parkways and canyons. He favors native plant species that transform trampled dirt patches into beautiful nooks and corners that instill a sense of order and pride in the community. We are very fortunate to have him as a member of the North Park community.

The project went great, despite some adverse circumstances. Chris's labor was very reasonable ($70/hour) and his design was excellent. We were naive about the potential costs of the work, but Chris didn't make us feel stupid; he helped us figure out how we could work within our limits to still make something great out of the project.

We had several setbacks with contractors who were hired to do the actual work. Chris consulted us on how to handle these challenges appropriately, and we greatly appreciated his advice.

Now that the work is finished, Chris continues to check up on our plants and provide advice on how to help them maintain optimum health. He is honest and thoughtful and very talented.