About Us
Inspired by the natural wonders of the Golden State, Besanti Natives is a Los Angeles landscape design firm that invites you to discover more joy in daily life through the wonders of California native plants.
We are committed to delivering consistently thoughtful, personalized service that translates your household's unique needs, values, and distinct style into a more vibrant world—right outside your door.
The Besanti Natives Story
Our founder, Mary Kleva, is an experienced landscape designer and consultant. Her approach blends timeless aesthetics with human-centered design and a passion for native plants.
Her journey to native landscape design followed in the footsteps of generations of landscape and garden experts who lived symbiotically with the land, tending to it just as it tended to them.
Connecting her discerning eye, horticultural knowledge, and thoughtful design skills, she founded Besanti Natives to shift the paradigm of regressive landscaping practices and help others spark more moments of wonder and connection in everyday life.
Mary's education, memberships, and certifications include:
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Undergraduate degree, University of Pennsylvania
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Graduate degree, Georgetown University
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Member, Association of Professional Landscape Designers (APLD)
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Certified California Native Plant Landscaper, Theodore Payne Foundation
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Certified EPA Watersense Irrigation System Auditor
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Certified USGBC-CA Wildfire Defense Landscape Professional
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Certified G3 Watershed Wise Landscape Professional
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Master Pruner Education, University of Washington Botanic Gardens
The Besanti Method
The Besanti Method was developed as an intentional practice of dynamic landscape artistry. This approach grounds us in the present moment through the ephemera of nature and our own ever-evolving needs.
We approach landscaping not as a one-and-done process, but one of continuous discovery and growth. It honors the wisdom shared by leaders from indigenous communities who offer their extensive knowledge and experiences of these special plants. We see ourselves as stewards of the landscapes we manage, part of a mutualistic relationship we share with the natural world.
In our client sessions, we get to know people and land alike on a nuanced, personalized level to identify the opportunities at hand. We learn what inspires and energizes our clients, alongside their aesthetic goals and household needs, to establish an outdoor space that supports harmony with nature, their communities, and themselves.
Why California Native Plants?
California is one of only 36 biodiversity "hotspots" in the entire world. Of 6,500+ plant species found in the Golden State, one third exist nowhere else on Earth. That's a gift we can all appreciate, starting right at home.
California native plants have adapted over generations to thrive in our unique climates and geography. While drought-tolerant landscapes can include beautiful succulents and cacti, we also promote the thousands of Southern California species with colorful flowers and lush greenery to create year-round, eco-friendly enchantment.
EXPLORE: Learn more about the benefits of California native plants
