Daniel Nolan, Garden and Landscape Designer, Author “Dry Gardens”, USA - 13 March 2024

“Drought Tolerant Design Across San Francisco”
Daniel's career in landscape design started by chance when he felt disconnected from his studies in art school and began exploring courses in landscape design. His first project was at his parent's new home in South Carolina, which led to neighbors quickly inquiring and requesting designs. He built a portfolio and was eventually hired by Flora Grubb, a renowned plantswoman and nursery owner in San Francisco. Daniel started in sales, working with customers and designing the store's layered plant combinations displays. However, when customers began requesting designs for their homes, a design department within the store was created and he began landscaping across the Bay Area.
Six years ago, Daniel set out on his own under his studio banner and now creates landscapes with projects across California. He has been named as one of the Next Generation of Bay Area Designers by Architectural Digest and The New York Times has described him as one of the landscapers in the world "redefining their craft." In 2018 he published ‘Dry Gardens, High Style for Low Water Gardens’ ( Rizzoli Press).
Daniel creates beautiful spaces that reflect the innovative culture of the San Francisco Bay Area. His signature lush palette features drought-tolerant and xeric plants, which he uses to balance his client's needs for warmth and greenery while facing the reality of California's ongoing drought crisis. From Napa Valley wineries to modern Silicon Valley homes, Daniel can push horticultural limits in San Francisco's varied landscape, where multiple microclimates and growing zones exist. In this presentation Daniel takes us through multiple projects, discussing his design philosophy, favorite plant combinations, and why he’ll never be a fan of the color red! Daniel has also kindly pre-prepared a list of his top 30 landscaping plants to send out to participants.