About Us
Flowerchild Gardens is a San Francisco Bay Area landscape design studio specializing in gorgeous edible landscapes that combine visual appeal with seasonal harvests. Each design is rooted in your vision, delivering stunning outdoor spaces where water-efficient plantings coexist with refined hardscape elements—patios, raised beds, and retaining walls—carefully selected to complement your home’s character and enhance curb appeal.
With a commitment to ethical and sustainable practices, Flowerchild Gardens honors the legacy of heritage trees and protects property value by thoughtfully balancing preservation with new growth. The result is edible landscapes that combine lasting beauty and practical productivity, supporting your connection to family, community, and place in every season.
Meet Susan, Principal & Landscape Designer
Susan founded Flowerchild Gardens to bring out the full potential in outdoor spaces, turning them into welcoming places for relaxation, connection, and lasting memories. With more than 50 residential landscapes designed, she applies a practical and attentive approach to every project, transforming nature into warm and inviting environments.
Often called upon for her extensive plant knowledge, Susan is a go-to expert among landscape designers, architects, and contractors seeking her insight and advice.
Smallest projects:
3,000 sq. ft. in Los Angeles and Burlingame
Low maintenance plantings w/ strong curb appeal
Largest projects:
1+ acre in Los Altos Hills and Hillsborough
Firescaping, deer & gopher, multiple hardscape features, MWELO, permits
Favorite projects:
Spaces filled with it all—patios shaded by pergolas, flourishing vegetable beds, thriving native plants, and beautiful backyard orchards that are incredibly productive!
Personal interests:
Away from design, Susan enjoys practicing pilates, climbing, watercolor painting, and identifying plants in the field.
Our values
Clear communication:
We share expectations openly and keep every step straightforward, so you always know what’s ahead.
Active listening:
We slow down to listen deeply so your outdoor space becomes an authentic expression of you.
Respect for your time and investment:
Calm, organized process—no chaos, no unexpected design fees—just honest, dependable service.
Sustainability:
We favor design decisions that are gentle on the environment and built to last.
Susan’s background
Education
UCLA Design | Media Arts
Foothill College Environmental Horticulture & Design
Merritt College Aesthetic Pruning, Plant & Mushroom ID Classes
Ruth Bancroft Dry Garden Design Classes
ReScape MWELO (Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance)
ReScape Firescape Qualification Training
QWEL (Qualified Water Efficient Landscaper)
Work Experience
Global design agencies & corporations - Staff (Previous career in UX & visual design)
Jon Jeavons Common Ground Garden - Internship (Biointensive Edible Gardening)
Hakone Garden - Internship (Japanese Garden)
SF Botanical Garden - Internship (California Native Garden)
Napa Valley Reserve - Internship (Biodynamic Farming)
Pine House Edible Gardens - Staff (Edible Landscaping)
Lonely Little Petunia - Internship (Floral Design)
Elizabeth F. Gamble Garden - Staff (English & California Native Garden)
Bay Scenery - Staff (Residential Landscape Design w/ Permits)
Professional Affiliations:
APLD (Association of Professional Landscape Designers)
CNPS (California Native Plant Society)
(MGS) Mediterranean Garden Society
“I had already hired a landscape architect, but I wasn't completely happy with what they did and their lack of involvement. Susan came in to help me review the plants and pick better alternatives. Her suggestions were original and at the same time kept in mind what kind of environment the plant needed to flourish. Susan really took the time to help. I would highly recommend her to anyone who is looking for a landscape designer.”
— Linda