Garden Design Service

Lois Miller is a seasoned landscape designer with over 25 years of experience in preparing landscape plans for homeowners, small-scale commercial establishments, and planned developments. She has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Ornamental Horticulture from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, and has received art and design training from the College of Marin and Cal Poly. Moreover, she has undergone hands-on training in landscape construction through apprenticeship. Lois has a lifelong passion for working with plants and gardening, which she has honed through the years by testing plant varieties and techniques in her own gardens, other gardens that she has designed or installed, and in a school garden.

Lois is an independent landscape designer who is not employed by any one contractor, which allows her clients to get competitive bids from qualified contractors. She is knowledgeable in various aspects of landscape design, including plants and landscape solutions, and has an extensive understanding of the needs of larger organizations and diverse age groups and backgrounds due to her participation in many community projects. As a skilled artist and seamstress, she is adept at visualizing the construction and design of gardens, which she considers as living art. Lois has a training in native plants, ecology, and natural science, making her very familiar with California plant communities and their application.

Services Offered

Lois Miller offers garden design services, including measurements of the site, plot plan, preliminary drawing, final working plans, and meetings. The plans include all work associated with landscaping, such as plants, soil preparation, irrigation, drainage notes, arbors, masonry, built-in units, vegetable beds or raised beds, lights, and other related services. She also offers consultations, which are usually one-time meetings to answer questions on small areas, horticultural problems, or landscape dilemmas. Consultations are charged by the hour.

In her design process, Lois sets up a site visit to evaluate the project. At the initial meeting, she will go over the project, show a portfolio of plans and pictures, and provide a written bid for the planning of the project. Bids for plans include measurements of the site, plot plan (a map of the area), preliminary drawing used as a check plan, final working plans used for bid and installation, and meetings. Lois will refer contractors or suppliers for the project.

Lois has a lifelong passion for working with plants and gardening, which is evident in her work. She tests plant varieties and techniques in her own gardens, other gardens that she has designed or installed, and in a school garden. She has an extensive knowledge of plants and landscape solutions, and her designs reflect her expertise in this area. Lois is also skilled in using artists' materials, craft products, and fiber arts, which she incorporates into her designs to create unique and innovative landscapes.

Lois understands the need to provide inviting spaces for youngsters to draw them outside, having volunteered for many years in the schools, working with all ages of children in a school garden, teaching natural science and ecology and coordinating group activities. She has a training in native plants, ecology, and natural science, and she is very familiar with California plant communities and their application. Lois can provide information to those in need of assistance in creating "Deer Proof" gardens, having done her senior thesis on this topic at Cal Poly and adding to this knowledge over the years.

In conclusion, Lois Miller is a highly experienced and knowledgeable landscape designer who offers a range of services to her clients. Her passion for plants and gardening, combined with her expertise in landscape design, enables her to create unique and innovative gardens that meet the needs and preferences of her clients.