The Evolution of GardenSoft

Gerry Kiffe, founder of Acacia Software, created PlantMaster, a plant database, in 1986. He sold the first copy of PlantMaster at a trade show in 1989. His background as a landscape contractor led to a unique software program that was practical for other contractors, landscape architects and designers.

Low Water-Use Design
Photographer: Vickie Anderson

In 1998, Gerry met Mark Chilcott, a software engineer. Together they created a new company, GardenSoft. Mark redesigned PlantMaster and took it to a new level of user friendliness and practicality.

Gerry and Mark saw the need for water conservation in the typical landscape. They created many websites with examples of water-efficient landscapes, partnering with water districts and municipalities.

In 2019 Gerry left GardenSoft to form another company. Anne and Mark Chilcott took sole ownership of GardenSoft and now focus exclusively on creating Water Wise Landscape websites.

GardenSoft helps the homeowner who is looking for:

• The right plant (example: what do I plant in a dry shady spot?).
• The perfect garden theme (Mediterranean, Japanese, California Native).
• The ideal fence, gazebo, gate, trellis, etc (many hardscape ideas).

Container Plants

The Friendly Folks at GardenSoft

Our websites are for the virtual traveler: stroll through creative gardens which will trigger ideas for YOUR front yard, patio, balcony, parking strip, front porch, patio, vegetable garden, walkway and back yard.

Bubbling Sphere