Sustainable Landscape Design
Sustainable landscape design to create healthy and beautiful Seattle yards
Our EcoPro landscape designers help you put together a landscape that feels connected to your home, your routines, and the Pacific Northwest environment around you.
9
WALP awards
200+
completed construction projects
4.9 
Google rating
Ecologically
inspired
Sustainable Landscape Design
Our sustainable landscape design approaches residential yards from a holistic point of view. We know landscapes are systems that are part of other systems: your family, your daily routines, your neighborhood, and pollinators. These systems are interconnected, and your landscape can support each of them at the same time.
We design gardens that support your life while also providing a place for beneficial insects and everyone who steps outside to spend time there. We design with all those connections in mind.
Our core principle is “the right plant for the right place.” A plant that belongs where we put it uses what the site already offers in terms of soil, moisture, and light, while giving something back: shade, habitat, fragrance, color, a place for a bee to land. That exchange, in balance, is much of what sustainable design means to us.
During our design and build services, our EcoPro designers and construction crews work together from the beginning, so these decisions carry through from plan to completion.
The Design Process
Designing Around Your Expectations
The Designer’s Visit
Before we draw a line, our design team visits your property to understand how you imagine using the space. Where do you picture yourself sitting? How many people do you plan to host? Which parts of the garden do you wish you could reach more easily? What do you want to get rid of? Do you need room for a table, a dog, a garden, or a place to gather with friends?
During this walkthrough, besides assessing existing conditions, taking pictures and measurements, the landscape designer listens to your expectations and understands your taste and preferences. Those details will later shape the layout, scale, materials, planting, and the connections between spaces.
The Concept Sketch
Now that we know where you naturally walk, how you arrive home, how the patio connects to the kitchen, and how pathways lead into the garden, we move into the concept sketch phase.
The landscape designers will put together layout options, each one with its own curves, edges, steps, plantings, walls, and rhythm across the property.
You’ll have the chance to compare them, combine them, or choose the concept you like most.
Materials Selection
Once you select the landscape you’d like to design and build, we move on to selecting materials and plants. At this stage, we help you choose materials and plants that fit your home, the chosen concept, your budget, and the Pacific Northwest climate.
Some of those materials are new: natural stone, concrete pavers, cedar fence, gravel, or Corten steel. Others are already on your property, waiting for a second purpose.
The same happens with existing plants; we can carefully transplant and keep plants currently in your yard so that we can replant them once the project is complete.
Sustainable Practices in Landscape Design
Working With What’s Already There
Repurposing Materials
Before we bring in anything new, we look at what’s already on site. Rocks and flagstone from a previous hardscape often find a second life in a retaining wall or a pathway, carrying the history of the property into its next chapter.
Soil gets the same consideration. The dirt under your yard has spent years developing a microbiology suited to that exact spot, so we keep it in place whenever we can. When that’s not possible, we send it to composting or mulching facilities like Burien Bark instead of a landfill, where it returns as bark soil rather than waste.
Designing for Habitat
Supporting Local Ecosystems
Water shapes a lot of our decisions. We build rain gardens to put stormwater to use instead of letting it run off, and we design drip irrigation with smart controllers set zone by zone, so each part of the garden gets what it needs and nothing more.
Habitat gets designed on purpose, not left to chance. We place stumps in certain designs to give beneficial insects a place to the neighborhood. When we plan the planting, we think in seasons, choosing a mix that keeps the blooming constant.
Landscape Design Portfolio
Designed for Today and the Years to Come
We love to document our work because a newly finished landscape is only the beginning. Over time, plants fill in, groundcovers spread, and trees grow. Even shade patterns can shift as the landscape settles in, develops its character, and the pollinators find it.
We design for that change from day one, choosing plants and materials that mature well because we plant them at the right size and time. Sustainable landscape design, done well, gets more balanced and self-regulating over time.
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Outdoor Features We Design and Build
Landscape Design Services
Some homeowners need a new retaining wall. Others are replacing an aging patio or solving a drainage problem. Many are transforming their whole landscape over several phases.
Whatever the scope, we design and build outdoor spaces tailored to your vision. Explore the pieces below to get inspired.
Our Process
For Design and Build Projects
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We connect
Once you reach out, by form or by phone, we learn about your project, answer initial questions, and figure out whether we’re the right team for your goals.
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We visit your property
If we’re a fit, we schedule an on-site consultation to walk your property while learning your vision, priorities, timeline, and investment range.
Our Client Care team coordinates a date and time that works for you and your on-site consultant.
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We review 3 proposals
We present three tailored proposals, each with its own scope, materials, and investment.
We will compare them together, combine ideas, and plan the work in phases if you prefer. Choices are yours.
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We develop the design and refine the quote
Once you approve a proposal and submit the initial deposit, we schedule a design visit with the landscape designer responsible for your yard transformation.
The landscape designer will guide you through possibilities around layout, materials, plants, and design details, including what stays on site and what’s brought in new.
Once you approve the design plans, we refine the final quote and move forward. We’ll order materials and plants, schedule the work timeframe, and assign the right crew.
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We build your landscape
Our crews prepare the site based on your project needs and design plans (demolition, excavation, clean-up). Then, they continue with the construction and plant installation.
Your landscape comes together through skilled craftsmanship and project management that keeps you informed as it takes shape.
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We walk it together
When the project is complete, we walk the landscape with you to make sure it meets what you set out to do.
As it settles in and matures, we stay available for questions, adjustments, and future work.
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Ongoing care if desired
If you’re interested, our yard care team can keep your landscape healthy through every season that follows.
Serving the Seattle Area
We provide design and construction services within the Seattle City limits and Mercer Island.
We’re willing to travel the extra mile to the extended area if your project aligns with our vision, embodies sustainability, and reflects the essence of the Pacific Northwest.
- Preferred
- Extended
Our Team
Meet the People Behind Your Project
We know that a landscape transformation is an important investment for you and your family. That’s why we keep communication very personal and attentive.
Our design and construction teams work together throughout the project, giving you one connected experience from the first conversation through installation.
Having the people who designed your landscape involved in the construction phase is reassuring:
Questions get answered quickly; details don’t travel between separate companies; designers get excited to see their work come to life; the crew understands why each decision was made.
Ernesto
Customer Care
He’ll answer your consultations, guiding you through our process.
Ana
Customer Care
She’ll answer your consultations, guiding you through our process.
Ray
On-site Consultant
He’ll visit your place to better understand your vision and goals.
Itza
Estimator
She’ll join the virtual meetings to provide accurate quotes.
Dave
Project Ops
He’ll manage the on-site crew and lead your project to completion.
Rob
Project Ops
He’ll manage the on-site crew and lead your project to completion.
Rin
ecoPRO Landscape Designer
She’ll guide you through designing your new landscape
Adrianna
ecoPRO Landscape Designer
She’ll guide you through designing your new landscape
Fernanda
ecoPRO Landscape Designer
She’ll guide you through designing your new landscape
A plants-only project in mind?
Our team can put together a planting scheme built around your site and maintenance expectations.
Clients’ reviews
4.9
Mike L.
We are so happy we found this great company to help us completely revitalize our outdoor escape! The bid, design, & build out process was efficient, fun, and very timely. The whole team starting with Ray who did a great job with the bid, and then Adrianna who built out a beautiful design and was very collaborative throughout, to the entire work crew were simply a pleasure to work with at every step. They came in right on budget and we are simply thrilled with the finished product. I highly recommend this company for anyone looking to take their exterior space to the next level and have a lot of fun along the way. Thanks SSL!
Katlyn Edwards
I worked with Seattle Sustainable Landscapes for quite a few projects! A new fence in the back yard | A new drip line irrigation | New plants, mulch for the front and back yard | New stone path way between the front and backyard | Improvements to an existing retaining wall + patio.
Seattle Sustainable Landscapes completed all projects quickly, and everything looks amazing. I’ve continued to work with them for irrigation winterization as well as yard maintenance! I’d highly recommend them for any outdoor project you might have!
Ben F.
SSL was great to work with — they dug up a bunch of sod in our yard, ground down a few stumps, hauled in 10 yards of compost, and helped plant a few trees. Their quote was reasonable and the work was completed on time.
Alex Huelskamp
Johanna was insightful about recommendations for yard clean up. Gustavo, and Manuel were kind, mindful, and hard workers. We’re thrilled at how nice the yard looked after their work! 10/10 recommend.
Alex H
Great experience. Here’s what I appreciated:
- The team was responsive, timely, and did what they said they would do.
- The designers were very easy to work with and accommodating of our needs/requests.
- The whole process moved smoothly and quickly from consult -design – start date.
- Overall, things look great. They basically ripped everything out of our yard, laid down new hardscape, and replanted. All at a reasonable price.
Dana D.
They helped transform my overgrown yard to a beautiful space. So pleased with the work. No weed was left intact.
Shirley Stone
I had a small house built on my daughter’s property behind her house for me to live in. The people who built the house left a big and precarious yard. We hired the Seattle Sustainable Landscapers to give me a walkway and growing area. It turned out beautifully. They were very easy to work with, on time, and understood my vision. Thank you so much!
Leslie Hamilton
These folks were incredible. Very communicative from pre-planning through finish. They took my yard from total overgrown disaster to useable, enjoyable and easy to maintain. They listened to what I wanted and offered great ideas on how to make it happen within my budget. The planning process was easy and thorough and the team that did the landscaping was amazing. They worked so hard and got so much done much faster than I anticipated. 10/10 would recommend. I am already planning to hire them again for my next landscaping job.
Karl Straume
Seattle Sustainable Landscapes did an outstanding job!
I had a flower and shrub garden installed along with an automatic irrigation system, and the entire experience was fantastic. The team was professional, knowledgeable, and really listened to what I wanted. The layout looks beautiful, the plants are thriving, and the irrigation system works flawlessly—so convenient and well set up. I’m thrilled with the results and would absolutely recommend them to anyone looking to upgrade their outdoor space!
Paige Reischl
We fell way behind on maintaining our yard and are grateful we found Seattle Sustainable Landscapes. They were super responsive, gave us a free quote, fit us into their schedule quickly and did fantastic work. Definitely recommend!
Mary Lieberman
My experience with Seattle Sustainable Landscape was excellent. Adrianna managed the landscape design, and Todd oversaw the irrigation. Both were highly knowledgeable in their respective areas and did a great job addressing any issues that came up throughout the process. I’m very happy with the outcome of the project and would gladly use the Seattle Sustainable Landscapes again for future services.
Mike L.
We are so happy we found this great company to help us completely revitalize our outdoor escape! The bid, design, & build out process was efficient, fun, and very timely. The whole team starting with Ray who did a great job with the bid, and then Adrianna who built out a beautiful design and was very collaborative throughout, to the entire work crew were simply a pleasure to work with at every step. They came in right on budget and we are simply thrilled with the finished product. I highly recommend this company for anyone looking to take their exterior space to the next level and have a lot of fun along the way. Thanks SSL!
Katlyn Edwards
I worked with Seattle Sustainable Landscapes for quite a few projects! A new fence in the back yard | A new drip line irrigation | New plants, mulch for the front and back yard | New stone path way between the front and backyard | Improvements to an existing retaining wall + patio.
Seattle Sustainable Landscapes completed all projects quickly, and everything looks amazing. I’ve continued to work with them for irrigation winterization as well as yard maintenance! I’d highly recommend them for any outdoor project you might have!
Ben F.
SSL was great to work with — they dug up a bunch of sod in our yard, ground down a few stumps, hauled in 10 yards of compost, and helped plant a few trees. Their quote was reasonable and the work was completed on time.
Alex Huelskamp
Johanna was insightful about recommendations for yard clean up. Gustavo, and Manuel were kind, mindful, and hard workers. We’re thrilled at how nice the yard looked after their work! 10/10 recommend.
Alex H
Great experience. Here’s what I appreciated:
- The team was responsive, timely, and did what they said they would do.
- The designers were very easy to work with and accommodating of our needs/requests.
- The whole process moved smoothly and quickly from consult -design – start date.
- Overall, things look great. They basically ripped everything out of our yard, laid down new hardscape, and replanted. All at a reasonable price.
Dana D.
They helped transform my overgrown yard to a beautiful space. So pleased with the work. No weed was left intact.
Shirley Stone
I had a small house built on my daughter’s property behind her house for me to live in. The people who built the house left a big and precarious yard. We hired the Seattle Sustainable Landscapers to give me a walkway and growing area. It turned out beautifully. They were very easy to work with, on time, and understood my vision. Thank you so much!
Leslie Hamilton
These folks were incredible. Very communicative from pre-planning through finish. They took my yard from total overgrown disaster to useable, enjoyable and easy to maintain. They listened to what I wanted and offered great ideas on how to make it happen within my budget. The planning process was easy and thorough and the team that did the landscaping was amazing. They worked so hard and got so much done much faster than I anticipated. 10/10 would recommend. I am already planning to hire them again for my next landscaping job.
Karl Straume
Seattle Sustainable Landscapes did an outstanding job!
I had a flower and shrub garden installed along with an automatic irrigation system, and the entire experience was fantastic. The team was professional, knowledgeable, and really listened to what I wanted. The layout looks beautiful, the plants are thriving, and the irrigation system works flawlessly—so convenient and well set up. I’m thrilled with the results and would absolutely recommend them to anyone looking to upgrade their outdoor space!
Paige Reischl
We fell way behind on maintaining our yard and are grateful we found Seattle Sustainable Landscapes. They were super responsive, gave us a free quote, fit us into their schedule quickly and did fantastic work. Definitely recommend!
Mary Lieberman
My experience with Seattle Sustainable Landscape was excellent. Adrianna managed the landscape design, and Todd oversaw the irrigation. Both were highly knowledgeable in their respective areas and did a great job addressing any issues that came up throughout the process. I’m very happy with the outcome of the project and would gladly use the Seattle Sustainable Landscapes again for future services.
Landscape Design Questions Answered
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What is landscape design and build?
Landscape design and build combines the design and construction of your outdoor space with one team.
At SSL, our designers and construction team collaborate throughout the project, from the initial concept through installation.
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What makes a landscape design sustainable?
It starts with the right plant for the right place: choosing plants suited to the sun, soil, and water your site already has, so they thrive with less intervention.
From there, it’s decisions that add up. Some of those include: Reusing stone and soil already on the property; designing rain gardens and zoned drip irrigation instead of watering everything the same way; leaving room for pollinators and wildlife in the plan.
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Do you design sustainable landscapes?
Sustainability shapes every project we design, not just the ones labeled “eco-friendly.” We think about water, soil, habitat, and materials from the first conversation, and several of our designers hold EcoPro certification to back that up.
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How much does landscape design and build cost in Seattle?
The investment depends on the size and complexity of your property, the features you want to include, materials, site conditions, and the level of design required.
After learning about your goals and visiting your property, we can help define a realistic scope and prepare a proposal.
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Do I need to know exactly what I want before contacting you?
Not at all. You can come to us with a clear vision, a list of problems you’d like to solve, or simply a feeling that your yard could work better.
We’ll help you explore the possibilities and determine what makes sense for your property.
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Can you design and build only part of my landscape?
Yes. A design-build project doesn’t have to mean transforming your entire property at once. We can help prioritize the areas that matter most and, when appropriate, plan the landscape so additional improvements can happen in phases.
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How long does the landscape design process take?
The timeline depends on the size and complexity of the project and how much detail is involved. During the initial conversations, we’ll explain what to expect and the steps involved before construction begins.
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Can you build a landscape designed by another company?
Yes. Our construction team can work from plans developed by another landscape designer or architect. If you already have plans, we’d be happy to talk through the project and determine how we can help bring them to life.