5 Best Garden Design Services in Seattle (2026)

Independently ranked by our review of ratings, reviews and reputation · How we chose

By Brad Smith, Home Services Expert · ✓ Data verified July 2026 · 8 min read

Seattle's rain, slope, and shade turn a simple backyard project into a drainage and microclimate puzzle fast, which is exactly why garden design services in Seattle exist. The names here range from a 100-year-old cottage renovation to a preschool playscape, and every one of them holds a rating of 4.6 or higher, with the top pick at a perfect 5.0 across 112 reviews. The real question is scale and style, not quality.

Short answer: For garden design services in Seattle, North East Landscaping & Design leads with a perfect 5.0 rating across 112 reviews, covering everything from full backyard makeovers to drainage fixes. Rutheo Designs follows close behind at 4.7 stars and 87 reviews for design-build hardscaping projects, while Lacewing stands out for ecological, native-plant-focused design with a 4.8 rating built on smaller, highly detailed projects.

Jump to a business

1. North East Landscaping…
2. Rutheo Designs
3. Solstice Landscape Des…
4. Lacewing
5. Outdoor Design by Oz
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Seattle's Garden Designers, Compared

#	Business	Rating	Reviews	Best for
1	North East Landscaping & Design	5.0 ★	112	Overall pick / full backyard renovation	View ›
2	Rutheo Designs	4.7 ★	87	Custom landscape design with hardscaping	View ›
3	Solstice Landscape Design	4.9 ★	39	Owner-led residential garden design since 2007	View ›
4	Lacewing	4.8 ★	32	Ecological and native-plant garden design	View ›
5	Outdoor Design by Oz	4.6 ★	34	High-end design-build with permitting support	View ›

5 Best Garden Design Services in Seattle (2026)

Who to call for your project

#1 Overall🕑 Open 7 days↩ Responds to reviews

North East Landscaping & Design

5.0112 Google reviews

North East Landscaping & Design covers landscape design, deck building, paver patios, lawn care, and paving across the Seattle area, with a stated focus on drainage, soil health, and microclimates for Northwest living. Reviewers describe projects ranging from full backyard makeovers on sloped lots to fencing, French drains, and ongoing weekly lawn maintenance.

What people praise

Reviewers consistently praise the crew's attention to detail and thoroughness on multi-week projects
Described as leaving job sites clean at the end of each day
Handles drainage and grading problems specifically, not just planting and hardscape
Multiple clients report using the team repeatedly across different projects at the same property

Worth knowing

One reviewer noted the owner can be hard to reach at times, though attributed it to giving each project proper attention

Reputation scorecardrank in Seattle

Rating5 / 5

Review volume112 · 98th

Confidencemoderate

Recency5 weeks ago

Info completenesssite · phone · hours

Rating breakdown96% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: A perfect 5.0 across 112 reviews, the highest review volume on this page. It ranks first on the strength of consistent praise across very different job types, from full renovations to routine maintenance.

Website +1206-608-2614 Directions

4311 11th Ave NE Ste 525, Seattle, WA 98105

#2🕑 Open 5 days/wk↩ Responds to reviews

Rutheo Designs

4.787 Google reviews

Rutheo Designs is a Seattle landscape design and build company handling everything from concept design through hardscaping, retaining walls, patios, and planting. Reviewers describe backyard transformations completed on a budget-conscious phased basis, with a design team that listens closely to client requests on material and layout details.

What people praise

Designers get named and praised individually for translating vague ideas into concrete plans
Reviewers highlight careful attention to detail, like precise flagstone alignment on request
Team communicates proactively during multi-week installs
Praised for staying within budget on phased projects

Worth knowing

One project was completed in phases due to budget constraints, so full scope work may require planning ahead

Reputation scorecardrank in Seattle

Rating4.7 / 5

Review volume87 · 93th

Confidenceearly

Recency8 weeks ago

Info completenesssite · phone · hours

Rating breakdown92% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: A 4.7 rating across 87 reviews, with detailed, specific praise about design collaboration. A strong second pick if you want a design-build team rather than design-only.

Website Book now +1360-844-2989 Directions

4401 11th Ave NW, Seattle, WA 98107

#3🕑 Open 6 days/wk

Solstice Landscape Design

4.939 Google reviews

Solstice Landscape Design has been transforming outdoor spaces in the Seattle area since 2007, with the owner personally leading each project from initial listening sessions through detailed design drawings and installation guidance. The company has worked with over 500 clients, per its own site, across both residential gardens and retreat centers nationally.

What people praise

Reviewers repeatedly praise the owner's responsiveness, often replying to late-night emails by morning
Described as incorporating specific client requests, down to matching plants seen elsewhere
Handles small, awkward yards as well as larger properties
One client review dates back nine years, suggesting long-term satisfaction with the finished work

Worth knowing

A smaller review count than the top two names, though the rating is consistently high

Reputation scorecardrank in Seattle

Rating4.9 / 5

Review volume39 · 88th

Confidenceearly

Recency8 months ago

Info completenesssite · phone · hours

Rating breakdown97% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: A 4.9 rating across 39 reviews. The reviews here run longer and more detailed than most, a good sign for anyone who wants a highly personal, listen-first design process.

Website +1206-898-2850 Directions

13563 23rd Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98125

#4🕑 Open 5 days/wk↩ Responds to reviews

Lacewing

4.832 Google reviews

Lacewing is a family business of certified horticulturalists, landscape designers and architects serving the greater Seattle area, with a stated focus on native planting, edible gardens, and habitat-focused design. Reviewers describe full front and backyard overhauls, stonework, and pathway installations, alongside ongoing plant care guidance after the build.

What people praise

Reviewers describe the team as genuine plant experts, not a cookie-cutter landscaping outfit
Praised for balancing sustainability goals with practical, low-maintenance design
Hardscaping work, including pathways and patios, gets specific praise for craftsmanship
Detailed maintenance instructions provided after project completion

Worth knowing

Limited weekday hours listed, so scheduling a consultation may take some lead time

Reputation scorecardrank in Seattle

Rating4.8 / 5

Review volume32 · 78th

Confidenceearly

Recency5 months ago

Info completenesssite · phone · hours

Rating breakdown94% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: A 4.8 rating across 32 reviews. The clear pick if sustainability and native planting matter as much to you as the finished look.

Website +1206-319-8659 Directions

#5🕑 Open 6 days/wk↩ Responds to reviews

Outdoor Design by Oz

4.634 Google reviews

Outdoor Design by Oz is a Seattle design-build firm handling custom patios, outdoor kitchens, lighting, decks, and retaining walls, with reviewers describing full-scope projects that include structural engineering, permitting, and construction coordination. It's positioned toward larger, more complex builds rather than simple planting refreshes.

What people praise

Reviewers specifically praise handling the City of Seattle permitting process end to end
Described as communicative through material delays outside the company's control
Design team credited with stopping clients from choices that wouldn't have worked long-term
Multiple reviewers signed on for a second project after their first was finished

Worth knowing

Complex projects requiring permitting can run 3 to 6 months before construction even begins
Best suited to larger-scope jobs rather than quick garden refreshes

Reputation scorecardrank in Seattle

Rating4.6 / 5

Review volume34 · 83th

Confidenceearly

Recency5 weeks ago

Info completenesssite · phone · hours

Rating breakdown91% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: A 4.6 rating across 34 reviews. The right call if your project involves retaining walls, structural work, or anything that needs a permit, not just planting.

Website +1206-203-2203 Directions

600 1st Ave S Apt 104, Seattle, WA 98104

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How we score these picks

Rating is each business’s live Google average. Review volume measures how many customers actually left a rating, weighed against the others on this page. Confidence blends the two, since a perfect score on a handful of reviews carries less weight than one built on over a hundred. Recency checks how recently people are still reviewing. No business can pay to change any of these numbers.

How much does garden design cost in Seattle? (2026)

Garden design pricing depends heavily on project scope, whether it’s a design consultation only, a full design-build with hardscaping, or a project requiring permits and structural engineering. None of the businesses on this page publish a fixed rate in the data we reviewed, so treat any quote as specific to your yard’s size, slope, and soil conditions.

Serving Seattle and the surrounding area

These designers cover Seattle proper along with Bellevue, Redmond, Shoreline, Kenmore, Mercer Island, and Snoqualmie Ridge. Whether you’re searching for garden design near me in North Seattle or need a firm that handles Eastside permitting, this list spans the range of project types the region calls for.

What to ask before you hire a garden designer

Do they handle both design and installation, or design only?
Will the project require permits, and do they manage that process for you?
How do they approach drainage and soil conditions specific to Seattle’s climate?
What’s the expected timeline from design approval to finished install?
Do they offer a maintenance plan or aftercare guidance once planting is complete?
Can they work within a phased budget if you can’t do the full project at once?

Frequently asked questions

Are these rankings paid?

No. Rankings come from public Google data. A business can pay to be a Featured Partner (badge and top placement), but that never changes another business’s score or position.

How did you choose these garden design services?

We pulled real Google ratings and review counts for garden and landscape designers across Seattle, then ranked by a blend of rating, review volume, and how recently customers are still leaving reviews.

How often is this updated?

This page was last verified in July 2026 using live Google data, and we refresh it periodically as ratings and review counts change.

Which of these is best for a small backyard project?

Solstice Landscape Design and Lacewing both have reviews describing smaller, highly detailed residential projects, making them a good fit if you don’t need large-scale hardscaping or permitting.

Do any of these designers focus on sustainable or native planting?

Lacewing is the clearest fit, with a stated focus on native plants, habitat design, and edible gardens throughout its reviews and site content.

The bottom line

North East Landscaping & Design is the safe default, with the deepest review base on this page and a perfect rating across full renovations and routine maintenance alike. If your project needs permitting or structural work, Outdoor Design by Oz’s process-heavy approach is worth the extra planning time. Get a written scope and timeline before signing, Seattle’s rainy season can push installs back.

Best Garden And Outdoor in other cities

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