Luxury estate garden designed by Petrus Landscape in the Bay Area, featuring layered plantings and stone pathways
Petrus Landscape Menlo Park · Bay Area · CA
Luxury Estate Landscape Design & Build — Est. by Ward Dilmore & Gabe Thomas

The Enduring Garden.

We design, build and care for private estate landscapes across the Bay Area — pairing the rigor of world-class horticulture with the precision of a well-orchestrated operation. Crafted in Menlo Park, refined for a lifetime outdoors.

25+ Years Combined Practice
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Recent estates, quietly composed across the peninsula.

Selected Work
2023 — 2025
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Stone patio and layered perennial beds at a Petrus estate project in Atherton Hardscape + Garden

Vista Verde

A walled rear garden reimagined around a single mature oak — bluestone terrace, drifts of salvia and carex, and a quiet rill of recirculating water.

Atherton, CA2024
Luxury front landscape with sculptural plantings and pathway lighting in Woodside Estate Design

Mapache Ridge

Twenty-two acres of native and drought-tolerant plantings woven between existing oaks, with a decomposed granite arrival court and steel-edged walks.

Woodside, CA2024
Outdoor kitchen and fire pit hardscape built by Petrus Landscape in Los Altos Outdoor Living

Horseshoe Court

An outdoor kitchen, gas fire pit and limestone patio set beneath a pergola of mature wisteria — engineered for evening gatherings and year-round use.

Los Altos, CA2023
Native plantings and dry-creek drainage feature at a Petrus project in Portola Valley Sustainable

Costa Serena

A hillside restored with native coyote brush, ceanothus and a dry-creek bioswale that manages stormwater while feeding pollinators through three seasons.

Portola Valley, CA2023
Formal allée and lawn panel designed by Petrus Landscape in Hillsborough Lawn + Allée

Olas Verdes

A formal allée of Italian cypress leading to a panel of cool-season sod, framed by clipped boxwood and a perimeter of fragrance roses.

Hillsborough, CA2025

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The Studio

A studio built on detail, run with discipline.

Petrus was founded by Ward Dilmore and Gabe Thomas, who combined their deep expertise in private estate gardening and luxury landscaping across the Bay Area. What sets the studio apart is the rare ability to bring the attention to detail required for world-class estates together with the seamless efficiency of a well-orchestrated operation — the result is a landscape experience defined by craftsmanship, precision, and a commitment to outdoor environments that are as enduring as they are beautiful.

Founders Ward Dilmore and Gabe Thomas reviewing landscape plans on site
Ward Dilmore & Gabe Thomas Founders · Petrus Landscape
Experience 25+ Years combined in estate horticulture
Projects 180+ Estate landscapes designed & built
Satisfaction 98% Client retention across the peninsula
Credential CSLB Licensed & insured in California
Philosophy

Built to outlast the trend.

We treat every property as a long-term commitment rather than a one-time installation. Plant selections are chosen for the Bay Area's mediterranean climate, hardscape is detailed for decades of use, and every irrigation system is specified to conserve water without compromising plant health. The result is a landscape that matures gracefully — not one that needs to be redone in five years.

Detail of layered plantings and stone edging in a Petrus-designed garden
From the Founders
“We bring the rigorous demands of private estates together with the efficiency of a commercial operation — that is where Petrus stands apart.”
— Ward Dilmore & Gabe Thomas, Founders

Services & indicative investment.

Pricing Every estate is unique — the figures below reflect typical starting investments for projects across Menlo Park, Atherton, Woodside and neighboring communities. Final quotes are provided after an on-site consultation.
01 / Lawn Care

Seasonal Lawn Care

Weekly mowing, edging, aeration, top-dressing and seasonal feeding programs tailored to cool- and warm-season Bay Area turf.

From$140 / visit
Recurring
02 / Design

Luxury Landscape Design

Full master-plan design — site analysis, concept drawings, 3D renderings, planting plan and construction documents for estate-scale properties.

From$4,800
Fixed scope
03 / Maintenance

Garden Maintenance

Year-round pruning, weeding, fertilizing, seasonal color rotations and integrated pest management to keep estate gardens thriving.

From$320 / month
Monthly
04 / Hardscaping

Patio, Walks & Walls

Natural-stone patios, walkways, driveways, retaining and seating walls — detailed with proper base, drainage and edge restraint for a lifetime of use.

From$85 / sq ft
Built to spec
05 / Irrigation

Drip & Smart Irrigation

Custom irrigation design and installation — drip zones, smart controllers, rain sensors and high-efficiency rotary heads that cut water use without stress on plantings.

From$1,650
Water-smart
06 / Plantings

Native & Drought-Tolerant Plantings

Plant selection and installation using California natives and mediterranean climate species — curated for beauty, habitat value and low water demand.

From$2,400
Eco-conscious
07 / Outdoor Living

Outdoor Kitchens & Fire Pits

Custom outdoor kitchens, gas fire pits, pergolas and water features — engineered for safety, longevity and seamless integration with the surrounding landscape.

From$12,500
Signature build
08 / Lawn Install

Lawn Installation — Sod or Seed

Soil preparation, grading and installation of premium cool-season sod or hydroseed — for an instant, even lawn that establishes quickly and roots deep.

From$2.20 / sq ft
Per square foot

Have something else in mind?

From edible garden beds to fountains, ponds and full estate master plans — tell us about your property and we'll prepare a custom, itemized quote.

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How a Petrus project unfolds.

Process A clear, four-stage path from first conversation to a landscape that matures beautifully over decades — no surprises, no skipped steps.
01

Consultation

We walk the property together, listen to how you live outdoors, and assess soil, light, drainage and existing plantings before any design begins.

02

Design

Concept drawings, planting plans, hardscape details and 3D renderings — refined with you until every line and species earns its place.

03

Construction

Our in-house crew builds the design with proper base, drainage and craftsmanship — supervised daily by a dedicated project lead.

04

Care

Ongoing maintenance, seasonal color rotations and irrigation tune-ups keep the landscape maturing on its intended trajectory for years.

Let's design your enduring landscape.

Tell us a little about your property and what you envision. We'll follow up within two business days to schedule a consultation at your Menlo Park or peninsula-area home.

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