Rock Out Your Yard
Rockscaping and Rock Gardens for Pagosa Springs homes and businesses. Each designed to handle our dry climate, discourage deer, and look amazing. All with minimal maintenance.
Made for Up Here
Dry summers, hungry deer, short growing season, and wildfire risk. Thirsty lawns fight it all, but rock landscapes work with it.
Water Wise
Flora selected to stay healthy without constant irrigation, featuring plants that love alpine living as much as you.
Deer Deterrent
Plant choices deer tend to leave alone, so your yard doesn’t become the new favorite neighborhood buffet.
Lower Maintenance
No mowing, no sprinkler repairs, and less time on yardwork. Embrace the freedom and durability of rock.
Fire Safe
Stone, pavers, and gravel can help reduce dangerous combustibles in areas closest to structures.
BEFORE & AFTER
Our Yard, Our Work
In need of a makeover for years, we wanted our yard to be durable, low maintenance, and use less water. So we created a warm, water-wise Rock Garden with 15 plantings, a few dozen bulbs, some custom planters, and a handmade agave sculpture.
SERVICES
Two Ways to Transform Your Yard
Rockscapes and Rock Gardens take shape by clearing out what isn't working, checking sun exposure, and evaluating drainage. Then we discuss how much maintenance and water use you want to take on.
Rockscaping
An all-stone landscape with character
We replace lawns and tired beds with finished layers of rock, ranging from larger cobble to crushed granite. Optional stone pattern inlays, paver pathways, and feature rocks give it structure and depth. Minimal planters, a few hearty trees and shrubs, water-wise perennials, and a sculptural piece typically round out the yard’s personality.
Rockscaping is ideal for:
Second homes, STRs, commercial frontage, and developers
Anyone interested in ultra-low water use and maintenance
Rock Gardens
Stone and planting areas, working together
Part rockscape, part garden bed. Stone areas typically feature cobble in various colors and sizes, pattern inlays, crushed granite pathways, and larger feature rocks. Mulched or stone beds hold water-wise perennials, custom-built wood planters, seating moments, sculptural elements, potted annuals, and rock features.
Rock Gardens are ideal for:
Homeowners looking for more color, texture, and depth
Less water use and long-term expense than traditional lawns
Rockscaping & Rock Garden projects start at $15,000.
Call us about custom design/consult work.
Most Rockscaping
and Rock Garden
projects include:
Custom design and installation
Material removal and disposal
Minor leveling and filling
Rock color and size options
Soil amendments and potting soil
Pathways with pavers
Mulch and/or crushed granite beds
Select perennials and annuals
Ceramic and/or wood planters
Large and small feature rocks
A sculptural element
Personalized water and care tips
Some limits apply, we’ll review these in detail during the proposal process. Clear, direct communication is one of our core commitments to you. Renderings featured within this section are intended to serve as inspiration and do not depict actual Spruce Yard & Home projects.
Think Spring, Start Now
The perfect time to design is Fall or Winter. Start the process now and your project will be ready to go as soon as the ground thaws and materials are ready.
How It Works
Most projects can be finished within about 60 days, depending on scope, season, and weather. Design and installation are included in your estimate.
-
We walk the property with you, talk about how you use the space, and look at slope, sun, and drainage.
-
You get a written proposal with scope, timeline, and an estimated total. We go through it together.
-
Once you sign off, your project goes on the schedule. Up next — we get the wheels in motion on your custom yard design.
-
We design the layout, stone palette, plantings, planters, and feature pieces. Then take care of any permit requirements, line up the crew and equipment, and finalize materials.
-
We remove existing material, then grade and set up proper drainage. Stone, plantings, planters, and finishing details go in, and your new yard is ready to enjoy.
HOA & Permits, Handled
If your project requires HOA review or local permits, we prepare and submit the paperwork. Most PLPOA landscape projects don't need Board review. Big changes to lot height, drainage and grading, or tree removal require approval. We'll flag those issues up front during the proposal process.
DESIGNED ESPECIALLY FOR
Pagosa Springs Homes & Businesses
Residential
Primary and second-home owners throughout Pagosa Springs. Whether you're here all year or a few weeks at a time, Rockscaping and Rock Gardens help your property look amazing without constant care or water.
Commercial
Short-term rentals, office buildings, HOA common areas, new builds, or any property where first impressions count and maintenance budgets are tight. Rockscaping is typically the best option for these properties.
Good Questions
-
No. Our designs are built to work without an installed irrigation system, using stone and plants suited to Southern Colorado's dry climate. New plantings will need occasional watering while they get established, and we'll walk you through that.
-
Yes, we offer property care and detailing, but only for clients. While all our Rockscapes and Rock Gardens are designed to be low maintenance, occasional upkeep will protect and enhance your investment.
-
No plant is completely deer-proof, but we choose varieties deer typically leave alone and use stone and planters where browsing is a problem.
-
Possibly. Most projects need about 60 days from proposal acceptance, so Fall work depends on scope and an early start. Fall plantings can be tricky, too. If the timing doesn't work, we'll design over the winter and install in spring.
-
Right now we're focused on Pagosa Springs. We plan to grow across Southern Colorado and Northern New Mexico, so if you're outside town, reach out anyway and we'll keep you posted.
ABOUT US
Design Led, Managed Start to Finish
Spruce Yard & Home is from the design duo at award-winning agency Ali and Aaron Creative.
We’ve spent decades managing complex projects and working closely with people to shape how things look. Coupled with our passion for nature and design, we’re excited to focus that experience on the space outside your front door.
Featured on this page, our Pagosa Springs home is an example you can drive by. Before that, we transformed our yard in Poncha Springs. It was a smaller area, but the result was just as striking.
Alithea Doyle, President & CEO, and Aaron Cessna, General Manager
Request a Free
Consultation
Use the “Begin Request Here” button to tell us a little about your property and what you have in mind. Then we’ll follow up to schedule a free evaluation. Or if you prefer to go through the form together, give us a call at (970) 444-2095.

