For landscaping in Catalina Foothills, homeowners have trusted Horticulture Unlimited since 1979. The Foothills run along the north slope of the Santa Catalina Mountains at roughly 2,575 feet, which puts the area in a cooler microclimate than the Tucson valley floor. That elevation brings hillside lots, rocky decomposed granite soil, and long views of the mountains and the city lights below. Those conditions reward a landscaping company that understands desert terrain and how to build on a slope. Our licensed team designs, installs, and maintains low-water Sonoran Desert landscapes that fit the way Foothills properties sit on the land, work with the native surroundings, and meet local HOA and Pima County standards.
The Catalina Foothills includes some of the most distinctive custom homes in Southern Arizona, and good desert landscape design starts by working with the setting rather than against it. Our residential landscape design team creates xeriscape plans that frame your mountain and city views, group plants by their water and sun needs, and combine native planting with hardscape features such as patios, outdoor fireplaces, and water features. The goal is an outdoor space that feels like a natural extension of the home and holds up to the desert climate year after year. We also provide commercial landscape design for HOA common areas, offices, and other properties throughout the Foothills, with the same attention to water efficiency and long-term durability.
Sloped, rocky lots are common in the Foothills, and they need more planning than a flat valley yard. Our landscape installation crews build retaining walls that account for desert soil movement and drainage, manage erosion on graded areas, and use decomposed granite, boulders, and terracing to turn steep or uneven ground into usable outdoor living space. Proper grading and drainage protect your home and your landscape during monsoon storms, when a large amount of rain can fall in a short time. Every installation is paired with an efficient irrigation system so new plantings establish quickly and stay healthy through their first summer.
Water is a limited resource in the Sonoran Desert, and efficient irrigation is one of the most important parts of a Foothills landscape. We design and install drip irrigation systems that deliver water straight to the root zone of each plant, which cuts waste and evaporation compared with spray watering. We also set up zones and timers so different areas of your yard get the right amount of water for the plants growing there. During the dry stretches before the summer monsoon, a well-tuned system keeps your landscape looking its best without running up your water bill.
A desert landscape stays beautiful with regular, knowledgeable care. Our landscape maintenance plans cover the ongoing work that keeps plants healthy and the property looking sharp, from seasonal trimming to bed cleanups. Our certified arborists handle tree services such as pruning Palo Verde, mesquite, and other desert trees for health, safety, and appearance, which matters on Foothills lots where mature trees frame the views. Our weed and pest control service keeps gravel yards and planting beds free of unwanted growth and common desert pests, so your landscape looks cared for through every season.
Plant choice is what makes a low-water landscape succeed. Our desert plant guide is a helpful place to start, with drought-tolerant, HOA-friendly options that do well in the Foothills. Popular choices include Palo Verde, the Arizona state tree, along with mesquite, ocotillo, saguaro, agave, desert spoon, red yucca, Texas sage, brittlebush, and penstemon. Many of these plants are naturally resistant to javelina, which move through Foothills neighborhoods regularly, and all of them suit the area’s soil and climate. The right mix gives you color, texture, and shade while keeping water use low.
We have been a licensed, award-winning Tucson landscaping company since 1979, with certified arborists on staff and decades of experience designing for the desert. We know the plants, the soil, the HOA expectations, and the way water moves across a Foothills lot. You can see examples of our work in our landscape portfolio and read what clients say in our customer testimonials. We also serve nearby Marana and SaddleBrooke, so we understand how conditions change from one part of the Tucson area to the next.
Yes. The Foothills is unincorporated, so projects follow Pima County standards along with your neighborhood HOA’s landscape rules. We design and install to meet both.
A xeriscape approach works well, using native and drought-tolerant plants, decomposed granite, boulders, and drip irrigation, combined with retaining walls and erosion control engineered for the slope.
We do. From custom foothills homes to HOA common areas and commercial sites, our team covers design, installation, and ongoing maintenance.
Get started with a free quote or contact our team to schedule a consultation.
